The Public’s Radio — A push to further restrict driving on a local barrier beach has shoreline advocates crying ‘ruse’

The Quonochontaug Barrier Beach in Charlestown is pictured here. Credit: Alex Nunes/The Public’s Radio

May 29, 2024

By Alex Nunes — Members of Nope’s Island Conservation Association say the town of Charlestown should change a town ordinance to help prevent drivers from damaging a barrier beach. Shoreline access advocates portray the proposal as a Trojan Horse for blocking public use of the beach.

The Charlestown Town Council voted Tuesday night to reject a proposed ordinance change that would have extended the period each summer season when people are prohibited from driving vehicles on the beach in the town.

The 3-2 vote followed about two-and-half hours of public comment replete with historical references, impassioned calls for conservation as well public access to the beach, and accusations of ulterior motives by familiar players trying to block off a sought-after “slice of heaven” along Rhode Island’s shore. 

“It seemed a much more straightforward decision to me prior to this evening,” Councilor Susan Cooper said, adding that members of the public had “elucidated” the complexity of the situation.

‘This beach has suffered enough’

The night of lengthy and at times testy public comments that eventually led the council to extend its meeting past 10 p.m. began with Deming Sherman, a Shelter Harbor resident and member of Nope’s Island Conservation Association, a non-profit that owns property on the Westerly and Charlestown sides of the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach.

As Sherman and others in his camp see it, the 1.7-mile barrier beach is besieged by the threat of “vehicular abuse.” Nope’s Island maintains that some visitors are irresponsibly taking four wheel drive vehicles over dunes, dune grass and beach face, and threatening birds. 

…