An aerial view of Block Island from 2003 shows the shoreline and area adjacent to a proposed wind farm.

The Providence Journal/ John Freidah

State regulators and researchers from the University of Rhode Island are about to begin a two-year project to map out sections of nearby ocean waters to identify suitable spots for renewable-energy developments.

The effort, which will cost $3.2 million, is expected to expedite the permitting process for such projects as the offshore wind farm being sought by Governor Carcieri, his office said.

The governor has proposed that a private company construct, operate and finance a wind facility that would produce enough power to supply 15 percent of the state’s electricity. Cost estimates have run as high as $1.9 billion for the project. Seven companies have submitted proposals, and state officials are now evaluating them.

The Special Area Management Plan project is being carried out by the Coastal Resources Management Council, the state agency that regulates coastal development, along with data provided by URI. Work will begin in earnest in early August, said CRMC spokeswoman Laura Ricketson-Dwyer.

The result will be a SAMP for a rectangular swath of ocean off Rhode Island’s coast. The area, according to a map in a project description on the CRMC Web site, appears to be about 36 nautical miles by 25 nautical miles, and includes both state and federal waters. However, Ricketson-Dwyer cautioned that the map is several months old and the boundaries may change as the work proceeds.

A SAMP is essentially a planning tool that addresses environmental management issues in a particular area. It is developed in cooperation with cities, towns and other government agencies, Ricketson-Dwyer said. Once adopted, the SAMP contains standards and regulations that apply to any development within that area.

The CRMC has adopted four SAMPs in various parts of the state and is working on two others, Ricketson-Dwyer said. Each addresses the unique aspects of a particular site, she said.

Developing the wind farm SAMP will be done in two phases, according to the governor’s office. During the first phase, a zoning map for the state’s offshore waters will be prepared that will determine, among other things, where energy facilities may be constructed. The map will take into account environmental issues and potential conflicts with other uses for the area.

During the second phase, design and construction rules for offshore energy projects will be written. The SAMP is expected to be completed by the end of May 2010.

Having these rules in place will eliminate the need for an Environmental Impact Statement, which is typically a more lengthy process, the governor’s office said. Instead, a project could be permitted to proceed on the basis of an Environmental Assessment, the office said, allowing a wind farm developer to receive the necessary permits faster.

The $3.2 million to pay for the SAMP will come from the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, a pool of money from a surcharge on the bills of all electricity customers in the state.

The company that wins the bid to construct the wind farm will be required to reimburse the state for SAMP-related expenses, the governor’s office said.

tbarmann@projo.com