Access

HomeAccess

Public Access: Protecting Your Right to the Shore

The R.I. Constitution guarantees the public’s right to access walk, fish, collect seaweed, swim and otherwise recreate along the shoreline.[/caption] The Rhode Island Constitution guarantees the right of the public to enjoy and exercise access to the shoreline, and to walk, swim, fish, paddle, gather seaweed, or otherwise recreate anywhere along the shoreline in the zone that lies below high tide—whether that shoreline fronts public or private land. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council manages 220 state-designated public rights of the way to the shoreline, while many others are owned by federal, state or municipal government and managed for the public or by private organizations that welcome the public. Among the most popular access points are state and local beaches and parks, municipal waterfront areas, state designated fishing areas, boat launching ramps, bike paths, mooring areas, marinas, state fishing ports, and public rights of way. Unfortunately, public access to the water is increasingly threatened by increased demands for coastal development, poorly maintained public access sites, hardening of the shoreline, erosion, and other effects of sea level rise. About 133 miles of Narragansett Bay’s shoreline is lined with riprap walls, bulkheads, and other manmade structures.

Since our beginnings in 1970, Save The Bay has been committed to improving public access to the Bay, rivers, coastal ponds and our south coast. Our primary vision is swimmable, fishable, healthy waters accessible to all. While the number of designated public rights of way has stood at about 220 for several years, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council has set a goal of identifying at least one public right of way for each mile of shoreline, with a goal of 420 sites. Save The Bay is actively helping with that effort. Public access along newly developing waterfronts is an area of both concern and potential, but new buffer policies for urban waterfront redevelopment in the upper Bay create the possibility of continuous public access along urban waterfronts. Establishing coastal buffers, rather than armoring the shoreline can provide many benefits, including public access, habitat, stabilization of the shoreline, and filtering of runoff.

Public Access: Protecting Your Right to the Shore

The Rhode Island Constitution guarantees the public’s right to access walk, fish, collect seaweed, swim and otherwise recreate along the shoreline.[/caption] The Rhode Island Constitution guarantees the right of the public to enjoy and exercise access to the shoreline, and to walk, swim, fish, paddle, gather seaweed, or otherwise recreate anywhere along the shoreline in the zone that lies below high tide—whether that shoreline fronts public or private land. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council manages 220 state-designated public rights of the way to the shoreline, while many others are owned by federal, state or municipal government and managed for the public or by private organizations that welcome the public. Among the most popular access points are state and local beaches and parks, municipal waterfront areas, state designated fishing areas, boat launching ramps, bike paths, mooring areas, marinas, state fishing ports, and public rights of way. Unfortunately, public access to the water is increasingly threatened by increased demands for coastal development, poorly maintained public access sites, hardening of the shoreline, erosion, and other effects of sea level rise. About 133 miles of Narragansett Bay’s shoreline is lined with riprap walls, bulkheads, and other manmade structures.

Since our beginnings in 1970, Save The Bay has been committed to improving public access to the Bay, rivers, coastal ponds and our south coast. Our primary vision is swimmable, fishable, healthy waters accessible to all. While the number of designated public rights of way has stood at about 220 for several years, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council has set a goal of identifying at least one public right of way for each mile of shoreline, with a goal of 420 sites. Save The Bay is actively helping with that effort. Public access along newly developing waterfronts is an area of both concern and potential, but new buffer policies for urban waterfront redevelopment in the upper Bay create the possibility of continuous public access along urban waterfronts. Establishing coastal buffers, rather than armoring the shoreline can provide many benefits, including public access, habitat, stabilization of the shoreline, and filtering of runoff.