Community Center

Barnes to Hold Town Hall Meetings Aimed at Educating Community on Bill Seeking to Overhaul Costal Zone Management Act

Senator Alicia Barnes will host a number of town hall meetings on a bill that aims to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act following the measure's stalling in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary Thursday. Ms. Barnes, sponsor of the the bill to amend the Act, said the Act has had no meaningful updates since 1978 and her bill proposes to change the names of the offices, committees and position titles to reflect the current names; increase the standard cost utilized for the determination of the type of permit being requested; and most importantly, seeks to streamline and make more efficient, the time required for residents and prospective investors to apply and navigate the CZM permit process. Ms. Barnes said she moved to hold the measure in committee because of some misunderstandings of its purpose and also because of its technical nature. This will allow for educational town hall meetings in both districts, the senator said. The first meeting will be held in St. John on Monday, Febr...