CRMC 



6. Cairy out these resource management programs through implementing authority and 

 coordination of state, federal, local, and private activities. 



7. Fonnulate standards where these do not exist, and reevaluate existing standards. 



An initial series of resource management activities shall be initiated through this 

 basic process, then each phase shall continuously be recycled and used to modify the 

 Council's resource management programs and keep them current (GLRI 48-23-1). 



In order to expand its effectiveness in addressing cumulative effects, and to achieve 

 improved consistency between state and local government land use decision-making, 

 CRMC instituted special area planning in several critical coastal areas in the early 1980's. 

 Special area plans build on research and management initiatives undertaken in local 

 communities, create a regional identity and constituency within the planning area, and 

 contain action-oriented elements designed to involve local governments, interest groups, 

 and property owners in long-term preservation efforts. 



Special area management techniques recognize the need for consideration of all evolved 

 interactions within a specific ecosystem, and the potential ramifications of alteration of one 

 system component in inducing far-reaching effects. The Narrow River Special Area 

 Management Plan, and its development process, revealed many of the opportunities which 

 special area planning presents, as well as its shortcomings. 



4 



The SAM planning process attempts to address some of the difficulties presented by 

 sequential permitting by providing for a cooperative permit review procedure for major 

 activities. This Coordinated Review procedure involves joint consultation with relevant 

 agencies eariy in the planning process. 



The objectives of the Coordinated Review process have been to: a) reduce time and 

 expense incurred by the applicant during the permitting process; b) evaluated major 

 development proposals on the basis of shared expertise from each permitting agency; c) 

 identify and evaluate major impacts on the ecosystem at the beginning of the permitting 

 process; and d) reduce possible conflicts with regulatory program requirements by making 

 the applicant aware of what is to be expected prior to entering the permitting process. 



The review procedure neither alters existing authorities nor changes the legal basis or 

 sequence by which permits are issued Agencies remain constrained by their given 

 legislative authority to act upon limited aspects of a proposal, and applicants are still 

 required to meet the stipulations and criteria of each permitting agency. Benefits of the 

 coordinated review permitting procedure include ease and direcmess of negotiation among 

 developers and affected agencies, improved interagency "education" and broadened 

 opportimity for public outreach. 



Towns within SAM plan jurisdictions designate an appropriate official to serve as the 

 Permit Coordinator for the Coordinative Review process. Parties proposing an activity 

 listed as appUcable notify the permit coordinator before filing a formal appUcation for any 

 municipal or state permit Major activities requiring notification of the permit coordinator 

 include: 



1. New subdivisions of 6 units or more. 



178 



