In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons unpack the concept of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)—a legal and policy framework designed to organize human activities in the ocean while balancing conservation and economic growth.

Topics covered include:

How Marine Spatial Planning mirrors land-use zoning principles

The role of federal and state policy in shaping offshore wind projects

Why stakeholder engagement is critical yet often overlooked

The tension between private profit and public interest in ocean use

Understanding “knock-on effects” and cumulative environmental impacts

Lessons from the United Kingdom’s approach to marine management

The future of collaborative planning for U.S. coastal waters

Whether you’re an attorney, policymaker, or coastal advocate, this episode offers insight into the legal tools and policy discussions shaping the next generation of ocean management.

In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons dive into how Rhode Island’s coastal municipalities are adapting to climate change and rising sea levels through updated zoning and land-use ordinances.

Topics covered include:

The growing urgency of coastal resilience planning in Rhode Island

Steps towns are taking to revise municipal ordinances for future development

Challenges of balancing due process vs. emergency action

The concept of “retreat”—when rebuilding in flood-prone areas no longer makes sense

Protecting natural defenses such as wetlands and conservation easements

Legal and policy questions about redevelopment after disasters

Human behavior during disasters and the formation of “stay-behind” communities

Whether you’re a homeowner, planner, or environmental professional, this conversation offers insight into the legal and practical measures shaping the state’s coastal future.

This week on Environmentally Speaking, Marisa and Clarice dive into a timely and critical topic—Rhode Island's first-ever buyback program for flood-prone homes along the Pocasset River.

With increased flooding due to climate change and rising sea levels, federal and local agencies are stepping in with a solution: offering homeowners fair market value to relocate away from flood-risk zones. But with limited funding and over 100 vulnerable properties, is this just a drop in the bucket?

In this episode:

🔗 Have you or someone you know received a letter about the buyback? Reach out to us!

In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons discuss Rhode Island’s first state-funded coastal resiliency study, a result of the recently passed Act on Coasts (2024).

Topics covered include:

This episode explores the legal, environmental, and policy challenges involved in climate adaptation and coastal planning for Rhode Island and beyond.

Clarice and Kerin sit down to discuss today's political climate and the way it is impacting land use in New England. Kerin discusses the question: "What happens when politics and special interests get involved in our zoning and land use process?"

In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, we dive into the crucial role of regulators and explore how businesses and individuals can build productive, trust-based relationships with them. Our guest, Bill Patenaude, brings over 34 years of experience as a regulator and trainer at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) to share valuable insights on how to navigate regulatory processes, communicate effectively, and avoid common compliance pitfalls.

Bill holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and retired from RI DEM in May 2023. He is a Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instructor/facilitator and now works as a trainer and technical assistance provider for the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) in Lowell, MA, where he continues to teach regulatory relations. Additionally, Bill serves as a Flex Facilitator for Half Full LLC in Providence, where he provides training on communication skills, difficult conversations, leadership, organizational development, and more.

🔗 Connect with Bill Patenaude:

📧 Email:[email protected]

💼 LinkedIn:Find Bill on LinkedIn

Welcome back, listeners, to another episode of Environmentally Speaking! After a brief hiatus, we're diving right back into the pressing issues of environmental policy and legislation. In today's episode, we discuss the dramatic shifts in governmental policies, particularly focusing on the surprising changes regarding offshore wind projects under the new administration. The Biden administration's aggressive push for these projects has been paused with a six-month moratorium under the new executive order. We’ll explore the implications of this pause, the potential legal and environmental impacts, and what the future might hold for offshore wind initiatives. Stay tuned as we unravel these developments and ponder their consequences on our environment and legal landscape. If you have any topics you'd love to hear more about, don't forget to reach out to us with your suggestions! 

Email: [email protected]

Have you ever wondered how supply chain issues impact developers and what alternatives they might have?

Tune into this week's episode of Environmentally Speaking with hosts Kerin and Clarice as they break down the trends, pitfalls, and strategies for navigating these challenges.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding market cycles and timing your projects

- Practical tips to save money and strategize better

- The importance of keeping future trends in mind

Join Clarice and Marisa as they discuss the ban on single-use plastic bags in this thought-provoking episode of Environmentally Speaking.

Have thoughts or experiences to share? Reach out.

In this episode, Clarice and Marisa tackle the intricacies of environmental law, focusing on EPA policy documents and their implications. Discover how these documents differ from regulations and why they matter for anyone involved in environmental science, consultation, regulatory work, or legal practice.