The Public’s Radio — R.I. House to study public access to the coastline

Jun 24

Beachgoers at the town line between Charlestown Town Beach and South Kingstown on June 27, 2020. PHOTO BY ALEX NUNES — Beachgoers at the town line between Charlestown Town Beach and South Kingstown on June 27, 2020.
PHOTO BY ALEX NUNES

By Alex Nunes — For years, advocates for shoreline access have clashed with coastal homeowners over where the public has the right to be along the waterfront, and fighting has only increased during the pandemic. On Wednesday, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation to initiate a study of shoreline access in the Ocean State.

The bill creates a 12-member commission to study lateral access to the Rhode Island shoreline in hopes of eventually addressing ongoing disputes.

Advocates say using a multi-year high tide line as the boundary is insufficient because it’s nearly impossible to identify. Shoreline property owners say changes would be unfair to them and could create liability issues should someone be injured on their land.

The proposal was put forward by state Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Portsmouth, Middletown).

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The Publics RadioAlex NunesRI General AssemblyRI State Housebeach accessstudyTerri Cortvriendshoreline study commission

Cate Brown

The Public’s Radio — R.I. House to study public access to the coastline

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