Rhode Island officials this week are launching an effort to develop a comprehensive long-term plan for the state's shoreline in response to such issues as erosion, sea level rise and severe storms.
The Shoreline Special Area Management Plan, which is being dubbed the Beach SAMP, is a successor to the Ocean SAMP, which is guiding the use of offshore waters for such projects as wind farms
The state Coastal Resources Management Council is spearheading the project, with the assistance of the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center and Rhode Island Sea Grant. The total cost is estimated at $14 million.
The public is invited to an presentation on the project on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Corless Auditorium at URI's Bay Campus in Narragansett.