Press & News
The Public’s Radio — Judge sides with property owners in blow to new shoreline access law
By Alex Nunes — Two lawsuits are challenging a law enacted in 2023 that sets a new definition for the public trust shoreline in Rhode Island
Projo — Gathering seaweed is protected in RI's constitution. Here's why you should give it a try.
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Unable to afford fertilizer back in the Azores, Raymond Xavier's great-grandfather would gather seaweed and plow it into the ground…
Rhode Island Current — Neronha wants shoreline access lawsuit thrown out
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.
Newport Daily News — Middletown shoreline access confrontation turns into viral video – and it raises questions
By Savana Dunning — A viral video confrontation between a Middletown property owner and a Newport resident trying to access a public right of way has generated over 6 million views on TikTok, sparking social media interest and conversation about public access to the shoreline.
Country 102.5 — Did You Know All Rhode Island Beaches Are Now Public? But There’s A Catch
By Carolyn Kruse — I may be late to the party, but hey it’s never too late to share information. I just found out that Rhode Island passed a new law in June which opens all beaches to the public. But there’s a caveat. According to an article in boston.com, every beach in the Ocean State is now open to the public…
RI Sea Grant — Understanding Rhode Island’s New Shoreline Access Law
By Rhode Island Sea Grant — …Below is a breakdown of what this law means, as well as tips for advocates and the webinar sponsored by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and Rhode Island Sea Grant.
Boston Globe — Property owners’ suit seeks to block new R.I. shore access law
By Brian Amaral — a lawsuit filed Friday by the Rhode Island Association of coastal taxpayers opens a new chapter in Rhode Island long-running fight over shore access
The Public’s Radio — Private property owners file lawsuit against Rhode Island’s new shoreline access law
By Alex Nunes — A group of coastal landowners is asking a federal District Court judge to block enforcement of a new state law intended to clarify where beachgoers can be along the state’s shoreline.
Projo — 'Get off my sand?': Coastal homeowners sue over shoreline law, but state is prepared to fight
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Coastal property owners have filed a federal lawsuit to overturn Rhode Island's new shoreline-access law. The suit claims that the new legislation, which allows the public to use the shoreline up to 10 feet inland of the seaweed line, amounts to an unconstitutional taking under the Fifth Amendment.
WJAR — Rhode Island's new shoreline access law prevails after years-long battle
By Grabrielle Caracciolo — A years-long battle over Rhode Island's shoreline access ended with a changed law.
Projo — Why a plane saying that the RI shore isn't private flew over beaches on Saturday
By Antonia Noori Farzan — A small plane with a banner stating, "THE RHODE ISLAND SHORE IS NOT PRIVATE!" flew over South County beaches on Saturday. "The point is the Rhode Island shore belongs to the Rhode Island public — always did," said Scott Keeley, the activist who organized the demonstration.
What’s Up Newport — Shoreline access advocates fly banner, literally
By Thom Cahir — Supporters of new law celebrate public shoreline access
The Ocean Race — The Ocean Race Summit Newport urges recognition of the inherent rights of the ocean
The Ocean Race Press — The event held during the stopover of the round-the-world sailing race gathered together over 150 government, civil society and private sector representatives
Projo — His quest? Walk RI's entire coast- But private property and blocked access are a challenge
By Antonia Noori Farzan — The South Kingstown man just wanted some exercise with an ocean view. But seawalls, "no trespassing" signs and other barriers often block the way.
Westerly Sun — Charlestown man seeks restoration of beach signs that quote state's constitution
By Ryan Blessing — Scott Keeley has some big plans for Charlestown Town Beach this summer. Keeley went before the Town Council recently with a proposal to revamp the welcome signs at the entrance to the beach and its parking lot.
Backcountry Journal — Standing Up for Shoreline Access
By Michael Woods — Across North America the boundary between uplands and tidelands occupies a fascinating niche within the greater public access conversation.
ecoRI News — Resident Challenges Buttonwood Beach Association’s Right to Withhold Records
By Rob Smith — A prominent resident and shoreline activist is charging the Buttonwoods Beach Association with violating the state’s open records law over documents related to a traffic stop in 2019.
ecoRI News — Walking Tour Illustrates the Difficulty in Accessing the Ocean State’s Public Shoreline
By Cynthia Drummond — … An issue that has elicited some of the strongest public engagement in Rhode Island in recent years, access to the shoreline in coastal towns, including Westerly, has been the subject of in-depth coverage by ecoRI News.
The Independent — Shoreline access bill faces uphill climb as RI legislative session draws to an end
By Bill Seymour — A House of Representatives bill putting it 10 feet above the high tide mark won approval earlier this year, following a study commission’s recommendation. The state Senate leadership, however, is throwing cold water right now…
Projo — Shoreline access bill requires close attention (Op Ed)
Op Ed By Nathan Vinhaitero and Janet Freedman — … if the “shoreline” changes with each breaking wave, how do we draw a line in the sand for public access? Here’s what the science says on a very complex issue…