The Towns of Portsmouth and Middletown, and the City of Newport have drafted the first of its kind multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Aquidneck Island.
The regional effort, funded by a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is being conducted by Providence-based consultant Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) in conjunction with a Regional Hazard Mitigation Committee consisting of municipal staff, fire and police chiefs, Naval Station Newport liaisons, and community representatives.
This plan has been informed by existing planning efforts and incorporates new ideas from a variety of stakeholders, including the public. Community workshops and surveys on hazards were conducted across the island in May and June of 2024.
The Regional Hazard Mitigation Committee is requesting the community’s input to provide feedback to refine the plan for natural hazards such as flooding and intense storms. We invite all interested to review the plan and submit comments via the project website. https://www.portsmouthri.gov/1750/Aquidneck-Island-Regional-Hazard-Mitigat
The entire draft plan is available online here: Draft RHMP 2025
You can also review municipality-specific appendices from Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth.
A hard copy of the plan and comment forms are available at the following locations:
- Portsmouth: Town Hall – Town Clerk’s Office
- Middletown: Town Hall – Planning Department
- Newport: City Hall – Planning Department and Newport Public Library at 300 Spring Street
The public comment period will be open through March 26, 2025.
During this time, each municipal council will be presented an update on this planning process. The public is welcome to voice their comments in these forums. Check individual municipal Council websites for times and locations.
- Newport: March 12
- Middletown: March 17
- Portsmouth: March 24
After all public comments are collected and incorporated as necessary, the plan will undergo review by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After this review, it will return to each municipal Council for formal adoption.
