Developing a means of educating municipal board members in watershed issues is a concern of Rhode Island Sea Grant. It has developed two successful training programs in the past year and has received funding for a third project. The programs' broad purposes are to provide board members with a fundamental understanding of watershed issues and how they may relate to development and regulatory processes. Each training program is customized for the locality, and uses a case study approach to illustrate successful examples of planning and policy processes, and the application of management tools and techniques. Lectures by regional experts and field trips are also part of the sessions.
Ineffective regulations threaten the coastline, rivers and streams.