Projo — Judiciary committee unanimously votes to advance shoreline access bill, with reduced buffer
East Beach in Charlestown. Under H 8055, the seaweed deposited by recent high tides would be a “recognizable high tide line,” and the public would be allowed to go 6 feet above it. The Providence Journal, File
May 26, 2022
By Antonia Noori Farzan — The House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to advance House Bill 8055, which would establish that the public has the right to be 6 feet above the "recognizable high tide line" on any sandy or rocky shoreline.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Terri Cortvriend, D-Portsmouth, and House Minority Leader Blake Filippi, R-Block Island, in March. Since its initial hearing, it has been amended to reduce the size of the buffer zone from 10 feet to 6 feet.
The bill aims to address the fact that the mean high tide line, which currently serves as the boundary between public and private on Rhode Island's shoreline, is extremely difficult for the average person to find and is located underwater for large portions of the day.
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There was no discussion or debate over the bill on Thursday.
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