Press & News
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…
WPRI — McKee signs bill to protect Johnson’s Pond
By Sarah Doiron, Anita Baffoni —The legislation requires dam owners to get clearance from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) before raising or lowering water levels.
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.
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
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.
Save the Bay — A 2023 Legislative Session Update
By Topher Hamblett — The Rhode Island General Assembly is in full swing, and considering important legislation that will impact Narragansett Bay. Save The Bay has been hard at work meeting with legislators, testifying at Committee hearings, joining and building coalitions to support good policies, and monitoring for bills that might do harm to the environment and the Bay.
What’s Up Newport — Shoreline access expected to be among legislatures top priorities when it convenes in January
By Frank Prosnitz — When the Rhode Island State Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, it’s certain that shoreline access will be among its top priorities.
Projo — Opinion: My Turn: Sean Lyness: Preserve public access to RI shore
Jun 23, 2018 Opinion by Sean Lyness — Rhode Island is a place of many quirks… Among these idiosyncrasies is perhaps its oldest: a codified public trust doctrine.
NPR — California Has A New Idea For Homes At Risk From Rising Seas: Buy, Rent, Retreat
By Nathan Rott — At a normal tide on a normal day on the Southern California coast, ankle-high waves glide over a narrow strip of gold sand…
EastBayRI — Bill aims to protect residents from prosecution over shoreline access
Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) and House Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi have proposed legislation (2020-H 7755) that takes a different route to finally secure the public’s constitutionally guaranteed shoreline rights.
Projo — Shore access in R.I.: Where to draw the line in the sand?
Jul 6, 2019 — By Tom Mooney — A month after Charlestown resident Scott Keeley was arrested for trespassing, he and about 100 other protesters returned to the same swath of beach on Saturday to raise awareness to what they say is the erosion of Rhode Islanders’ state constitutional right to the shore.
Narragansett Times — Whose shoreline is it?
By Benjamin Branchaud — James Bedell enjoys classical music and long walks on the beach… In fact, Bedell, a local shoreline access advocate and member of the town’s waterfront advisory, has walked most of Rhode Island’s 400 miles of coastline.
ecoRI News — Court Ruling has Misled Shore Rights in Ocean State
By Jim Bedell — In discussing Rhode Island’s shore rights and privileges one must revisit the State v. Ibbison ruling… They were arrested for criminal trespass at the behest of the man whose property they were cleaning up — free of charge…