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
Newport This Week — Opinion: Senators Should Pass Shoreline Access Bill
OPINION By Dennis Nixon and Thomas Gibson Jr — After decades of uncertainty, the General Assembly is on the cusp of reaffirming one of the oldest and most cherished Rhode Island constitutional rights: the “rights of fishery, and privileges of the shore,” which includes the right of access along the shore.
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…
The Public’s Radio — Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee passes shoreline access bill
By Alex Nunes — A bill intended to clarify shoreline rights along Rhode Island’s coast is moving forward in the House.
Projo — Where is it legal to walk on RI beaches? You might need to tread water, scientists say
By Alex Kuffner — What the two scientists are showing through precise satellite measurements is something that has long been known: that use of the mean high tide line in state law doesn’t give the public very much access at all to the shoreline.
ecoRI News — As Beach Days Come, So Does the Annual Ocean State Battle: Access and Parking
By Rob Smith — With summer approaching, the state’s activists are gearing up for battle over that most Rhode Island of issues: beach parking.
Projo — Coastal property owners dislike shoreline access bill. Will they sue to stop it?
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Is the General Assembly willing to throw its weight behind an idea with broad popular support, knowing that it's all but guaranteed to lead to lawsuits?
The Independent — Legislative action and a potential legal battle loom as RI debates changes to shoreline access law
By Bill Seymour — A new law proposed last week adopts this recommendation. It will first be considered by the House of Representatives and any approval moves it to the state senate and the governor for consideration.
Boston Globe — Property owners won’t take changes to R.I. shore lying down
By Brian Amaral — Shoreline access group is already planning its fight against upcoming legislative proposal
ecoRI News — Shoreline Access Study Commission Agrees on Public’s Right to Pass
By Rob Smith — Next step: Panel will send a final report to the General Assembly with its recommendations
The Public’s Radio — Advocates ‘geared up,’ anticipating legislation on shoreline access
By Alex Nunes — A bill is expected to be introduced in the Rhode Island House this month that clarifies where people can be along the shore without creating other restrictions.
The Public’s Radio — Summer is months away, but RI’s shoreline access debate has no off-season
By Alex Nunes — A special House commission set up last year to study the hot button topic in Rhode Island is moving into the homestretch on its work. The panel is tasked with making recommendations to state lawmakers on how to address longstanding and escalating conflicts between beachfront property owners and the public–conflicts that have only escalated during the pandemic. This week members of the commission began discussing exactly what they’ll say in their upcoming report.
Boston Globe — Would R.I. lose lawsuits if it expanded shore access? Probably not, an expert says.
By Brian Amaral — Rhode Island lawmakers could actually redefine the rights of the “shore” further landward than the law does now, said Michael C. Blumm, professor at the Lewis & Clark Law School
Projo — How much of RI’s shoreline is the public entitled to? Commission seeks clarity
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Three summers ago, Scott Keeley set out to make a point about his constitutional right to the shoreline, and collect some seaweed for his garden while he was at it.
The Westerly Sun — 'It's getting out of control'…
By Dale P Faulkner — Washington County residents sound off on beach access to state legislative committee
The Public’s Radio — At public hearing, speakers say Rhode Island has a ways to go on shoreline access
By Alex Nunes — The summer season may be months behind us, but advocates for beach access aren’t letting up on their calls for lawmakers to do more to strengthen and protect shoreline rights. They made their case again Thursday night at a special public hearing in Richmond.
The Boston Globe — ‘We will get access’: Study commission hears from R.I.’ers on shoreline rights
By Brian Amaral — Panel aims to make recommendations about access early next year
The Independent — Fight over coastal access continues as activists stage protest
By Bill Seymour — The challenge to private beach owners wanting to stop public access to their land is far from over, says Scott Keeley, who organized a protest drawing more than 200 supporters to step over the Charlestown-South Kingstown line into the sand of exclusive beaches.
The Independent — Coastal debate comes down to boundaries, or lack thereof
By Bill Seymour — Exactly defining public access along beaches — and other areas around Rhode Island’s coast — is a complex undertaking requiring some serious study
Projo — Seaweed collector’s arrest revives age-old debate on R.I. beach access
Jul 11, 2019 — By Brian Amaral — When Charlestown resident Scott Keeley went to the beach on a sunny Sunday recently, he thought he had state law on his side: the Rhode Island Constitution says he’s allowed to collect seaweed along the shore…