Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, showing the controversial seawall.
The Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown faces backlash after obtaining a 30-day extension to propose a replacement for an illegal seawall, built without permissions. Environmental groups are alarmed, citing ongoing erosion issues and long-standing regulatory orders. Despite a lawsuit against the CRMC over its decisions, the club is pushing for negotiations while balancing ecological concerns and its interests. The situation remains tense as community eyes the future of the coastline ecosystem.
In the scenic town of North Kingstown, the Quidnessett Country Club is finding itself in hot water over an illegal seawall that was constructed along the 14th hole. This seawall, stretching an impressive 600 feet, was built without the necessary permissions and has set off alarm bells among environmental advocates and regulatory bodies alike.
The situation has drawn much attention as the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) recently granted the country club a 30-day extension to present an acceptable plan to replace the seawall. However, this decision has not resonated well with environmental groups who highlight that it has been nearly two years since the CRMC issued a cease-and-desist order against the club. Many are criticizing the extension, arguing that it undermines the urgency needed to address the environmental implications of the seawall’s presence.
Representatives from Quidnessett claim that they have been grappling with erosion issues on their golf course for decades. Their intention behind the seawall was to protect their beloved course from further damage. However, the CRMC has made clear that the illegal seawall must be removed and a restoration plan submitted within a specified timeframe. On June 10, the council required the removal of the seawall within 120 days and a restoration blueprint within 30 days.
With the 30 days coming and going, Quidnessett Country Club didn’t meet the requirements and instead opted to file a lawsuit challenging the CRMC’s decision. This added layer of complexity only extends the ongoing saga, forcing both the country club and local environmental groups into a prolonged standoff. In light of this, the country club is still expressing a desire to negotiate a more acceptable restoration plan with CRMC staff, despite the legal battle.
As part of their defense, the country club has proposed utilizing TrapBag barriers, which are part of a newer sandbag technology that they believe could serve as a viable solution in lieu of the seawall. However, CRMC staff have raised their own concerns about this technology, noting that it consists of non-biodegradable materials. This requirement directly contradicts what the CRMC has long advocated for—more environmentally friendly, non-structural shoreline protection.
Interestingly, Quidnessett has made numerous attempts to implement non-structural shoreline protection measures over the past 30 years, yet those attempts have not yielded any lasting results. Earlier this year, their petition to reclassify the adjacent water from a Type 1 conservation area to a Type 2 low-intensity use zone was rejected.
In spite of the club’s challenges, the CRMC’s executive director maintains that there has been some progress in discussions since the council’s June 10 vote. Nevertheless, the emphasis remains on compliance with regulations that promote non-structural soil protection methods. The executive director has highlighted that any plans must align with existing environmental guidelines.
The situation remains tense, especially with the passing of 694 days since the initial cease-and-desist order was issued. Environmental advocates like those from the organization Save the Bay are monitoring developments closely. They argue that every day of delay only exacerbates the harm done to both the public and the ecosystem surrounding the course. Calls for expedited action grow louder as the community eyes a long-term solution.
As Quidnessett Country Club navigates its next steps in this contentious situation, the community watches with an anxious eye. The balance between protecting the golfing grounds and adhering to environmental guidelines seems more crucial than ever, paving the way for a resolution that benefits not only Quidnessett but also the environment rich with life along the coastline.
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