Rhode Island Current — Neronha wants shoreline access lawsuit thrown out

A public right of way squeezed between private properties off Washington Street in Newport. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

August 1, 2023

By Nancy Lavin — The group of coastal taxpayers seeking to stop state agencies from enforcing the new shoreline access law has no grounds to sue.

So said Attorney General Peter Neronha, whose office filed a motion in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island on Monday seeking to dismiss the lawsuit.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha (Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Office of Attorney General)

The new law, signed by Gov. Dan McKee in June, attempted to clarify a decadeslong dispute over where to draw the line in the sand, allowing public access to the beach anywhere 10 feet landward from the high tide or “wrack” line.

Weeks later, a group of shoreline property owners known as the Rhode Island Association of Coastal Taxpayers sued Neronha and other state agencies, contending the law amounted to an unconstitutional “taking” of their property and asking for a judge to immediately stop them from enforcing the law.

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