A.
Rhode Island coastal communities
1. The Rhode
Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and its partners have
developed Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) Maps for the coastal
wetlands of all twenty-one (21) Rhode Island coastal communities. The purpose
of these SLAMM maps is to show how coastal wetlands will likely transition and
migrate onto adjacent upland areas under projected sea level rise scenarios of
1, 3 and 5 feet in the coming decades. These maps are intended to support state
and local community planning efforts and to help decision makers prepare for
and adapt to future coastal wetland conditions despite the inherent
uncertainties associated with future rates of sea level rise.
2. The SLAMM maps were developed using a
digital wetlands coverage derived from the 2010 National Wetlands Inventory for
Rhode Island. The elevation data used in the model was developed from the 2011
USGS LIDAR elevation dataset. These maps were developed using the "protection
off" mode for the model simulations, thereby depicting the highest potential
for marsh migration despite current limitations such as parking lots, roads or
other development. In this way the maps illustrate opportunities for
conservation and potential land modification to enhance wetland migration and
restoration. The SLAMM data do not consider natural processes such as coastal
erosion or the impacts of coastal storms that can have significant influence on
shoreline location and sediment dynamics. Despite these limitations the data
still provide a valuable tool to identify those places that provide the best
opportunity for future saltmarsh habitat and conservation priorities, and
provide valuable information to help plan for new development and
infrastructure. Additional map parameters, data sources and caveats can also be
found at
www.crmc.ri.gov.
3. These SLAMM maps are Geographic
Information System (GIS)-based map images exported as PDF files to reduce file
size and ease of access. In total there are one hundred forty-nine (149) map
panels that cover the entire Rhode Island shoreline and each panel has four
maps showing the current wetland condition (as of 2010) followed by 1, 3, and
5-foot of sea level rise scenarios.
4. No warranty is expressed or implied by the
CRMC and its SLAMM project partners related to the spatial accuracy of these
maps and promote no other use of these maps and data other than as a planning
tool. These maps should not be used for, and are not intended for, survey and
engineering purposes. The data do not take the place of a legal survey or other
primary source documentation. They were created for general reference,
informational, planning, and guidance use. They are not a legally authoritative
source as to the exact location of natural or manmade features.
5. These maps are herein incorporated under
§1.2.2(C) of this Part. These maps are very large digital computer files
that can be examined on-line at the Council's website:
http://www.crmc.ri.gov/maps/maps_slamm.html.
M. New Shoreham (Block
Island)
