Boston Globe — R.I. shore access bill advances in House, but faces Senate inaction

Property owners erect fences and post signs marking their territory on Charlestown Town Beach. LANE TURNER/GLOBE STAFF

May 26, 2022

By Brian Amaral — If it became law, it would give people the rights to the shore so long as they’re below a line that’s 6 feet landward from the recognizable high tide line

A proposal to solidfy shoreline access in Rhode Island got the approval of a state House of Representatives committee, but its path to actually becoming law remained blocked without action by the state Senate.

The House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday night by voice vote to advance the proposed legislation. If it became law, it would give people the rights to the shore so long as they’re below a line that’s 6 feet landward from the recognizable high tide line — the last line of seaweed, shells or other tidal deposits.

The law right now as it’s understood by the courts and local governments puts the boundary for public access and private property at what’s called the mean high tide line, which provides much less access than people think — and isn’t recognizable at all without scientific instruments.

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