PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) said it is now expecting a plan from Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown to tear down its controversial seawall. This, after the council rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have allowed the wall to stay.

While environmentalists and R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha believe the decision was the right move, they said the council shouldn't have considered the country club's proposal in the first place.

"The council is infamous in its delay and time-consuming processes, which are very political," said Topher Hamblett, executive director of Save the Bay. "This is one of the many reasons why we need to get rid of the council."

In September, 12 News spoke with Quidnessett Country Club's Janice Mathews about the 600-foot wall. She said they had tried to follow the CRMC's guidance for years, but after a bad storm in December 2022, the country club decided to build a seawall without the CRMC's permission because it was losing its property to erosion.

"The last 30 years we've lost over 47 feet," she said. "We have to move the 14th fairway to the point where we can’t move it anywhere else."

The country club declined to comment on Tuesday's decision.

Hamblett said seawalls can pose several problems because they can be detrimental to the environment, block access to the coastline and can make erosion worse for neighbors.

On Tuesday, the CRMC rejected a proposal from the country club to change the property's water type, which currently limits construction because it abuts conservation land, falling in line with the council's expert recommendations made last year.

Hamblett said the decision comes after nearly two years of delays and accused the council of dragging out a response.

The attorney general said this controversy is an example of a broader problem he has with the council, as it continues to deal with the growing effects of climate change.

For roughly three years, Neronha has been advocating for legislation that would require experts to mange the organization, rather than the governor's appointees. However, reform legislation has failed to pass the General Assembly.

"The governor should be championing this legislation," Neronha said. "He's ultimately responsible for the work that gets done to protect Rhode Islanders and the environment."

Spokespeople for House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said both leaders are open to considering legislation.

The CRMC declined to comment on the proposed reform.

Governor Dan McKee's office did not respond to a request for comment.