Press & News
Projo — Narragansett Town Beach made more money this year, but is it unfriendly to out-of-towners?
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Narragansett Town Beach had a profitable summer, officials said this week, while also defending themselves against charges of exclusivity.
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…
Projo — 24 to Watch in 2024 — Conrad Ferla helps protect shoreline access in Ocean State, but his fight isn't over
By Savan Dunning — Conrad Ferla’s love of surfing led him down the path to becoming a shoreline-access advocate.
Projo — East Bay Bike Path bridges are finally getting replaced, but will fishermen lose out?
By Antonia Noori Farzan — RIDOT initially said that "fishing accommodations will not be provided" on the new East Bay Bike Path bridges, but now says that it doesn't intend to prohibit fishing.
Projo — Citing concerns about public access, Westerly seeks to acquire Watch Hill Lighthouse
By Antonia Noori Farzan — The Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association, which has maintained the property since the 1980s, says it will continue to provide public access once it takes over. But some in Westerly have doubts.
Projo — Providence spent big to repair Camp Cronin. Now the place could be lost over unpaid taxes.
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Records show that the City of Providence could be at risk of losing Camp Cronin, its seaside camp in Narragansett, over unpaid property taxes. The city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to renovate the long-neglected Ocean Road property last year, but failed to pay the $16,721 that it owed in back taxes.
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.
Projo — Charlestown police officers say that sitting on beach isn't against law
In video captured by activist Scott Keeley, police officers from Charlestown say that the law doesn't prevent people from sitting down on the beach
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.
Projo — Lawmakers target CRMC for overhaul after 'slap in the face' decision by coastal council
By Alex Kuffner — Nearly two years ago, with criticism swirling around the Coastal Resources Management Council’s closed-door agreement to allow a contentious marina expansion on Block Island, state legislators had had enough.
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.
Projo — 'It's a relic': How a slate of new laws would overhaul the controversial CRMC
By Alex Kuffner — Critics say that little has changed at the contentious state agency that has authority over everything from offshore wind projects to oyster farms along Rhode Island’s 400 miles of coastline.
Projo — Narragansett Tribe will be able to walk onto Narragansett Town Beach for free this summer
By Antonia Noori Farzan — The Narragansett Town Council narrowly voted to approve the change late Monday night during a raucous meeting that lasted for more than four hours.
Projo — Shoreline access: A fishing story (Op Ed)
Op Ed by Jake Lunsford, of Warren, father to four aspiring anglers — I love fishing stories. I see them as allegories for hope. Casting your lot into the unknown, you hope the tide will take you to some future…
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?
Projo — Shoreline commission gets closer to proposing legislation that would clarify public rights
By Antonia Noori Farzan — If you have access to an old ox cart, now would be the time to get out a tape measure and figure out exactly how wide it is. The answer to that seemingly esoteric question could determine where you're allowed to walk on the beach this summer.
Projo — Shoreline access commission agrees law should change, but has yet to settle on new boundary
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Most members of the special legislative commission on lateral shoreline access agree that it's absurd to use 18.6-year metonymic cycles to determine where the public beach ends and private property begins.
Projo — Narragansett's Rose Nulman Park may be closed now, but 'some good things are happening'
By Antonia Noori Farzan — … Gloria is one of countless Rhode Islanders with a deep emotional attachment to privately-owned Rose Nulman Park, which sits on top of a crumbling bluff near the Point Judith Lighthouse. When boulders blocking the entrance and a sign reading "CLOSED" appeared just days before Christmas, there was a collective sense of mourning.
Projo — Political Scene: How can shoreline access in Rhode Island be improved? Candidates weigh in
By Antonia Noori Farzan — Over the past few years, demands to improve shoreline access have ramped up across Rhode Island. Yet the politicians vying to be the state's next governor have been curiously silent on the topic.
Projo — Narragansett's Rose Nulman Park will permanently close by Christmas, foundation says
By Antonia Noori Farzan — … “Unfortunately, neither the town nor the state consider the park a priority and will not grant us any of the government funds received from the federal infrastructure bill,” said a Wednesday Facebook post attribute to “The Nulman Family”.