Marina expansion is a problem that is ongoing in coastal communities.  As more people head to the water for recreational use, it puts stress on the land and water of coastal communities.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are responsible for protecting and overseeing coastal regions. They advise that expansion farther out into the water is negative, and that other alternative such as reconfiguring the existing marinas and expanding shoreward onto private land would be better overall for the coastal environment.  However, the Corps is more concerned with managing existing marinas than completely denying expansion rights to developers.

    The Coastal Zone Management Act requires all coastal states to have a CZM plan.  In Rhode Island, the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) sets policy and provides oversight.  The Coastal Resources Center (CRC) conducts research and provides technical staff for the CRMC.

• What are some of the specific stresses associated with marina activities?  What opportunity costs are lost by expanding marinas? (see reference #2 below)
• Didn't Florida expand its marinas landward (canal system)?  Has this produced positive results?  How would this reduce pollution?
• In the New England states, what proportion of marinas and mooring spaces are publicly controlled, as compared to privately owned?
• How would we fairly distribute scarce spaces for boat moorings?  First come, first serve?  A lottery?  Charging whatever the market might bear?