Public Access to the Rhode Island Shore

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Public Access to the Rhode Island Shore

• CRMC Coastal Education Series
• Narragansett Bay Commission Meeting Room
• September 25, 2007
• 600 PM
• Kevin R. Cute
• Marine Resources Specialist
• Coastal Resources Management Council

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CRMC Methods for Providing Public Access to the
Shore

• Metro Bay SAMP Urban Coastal Greenway
• Red Book 335 Public Access Plans
• RIGL 46-23-6 CRMC Designated Public
• Rights-of-Way to the Shore

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Metro Bay SAMPUrban Coastal Greenway

• Red Book or UCG option
• Continuous public pathway along the coast
• One arterial access path per 1/4 mile of
  shoreline
• Two parking space minimum per development
  additional space per 100 linear feet of coastline
• 7,050 linear feet of public access so far

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Red Book Section 335 Public Access Plan

• Applies to certain developments or activities
• Commercial and industrial development or
  redevelopment projects
• New and significant expansions to marinas
• Activities that involve filling of tidal waters
• Publicly funded beach nourishment projects

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Red Book Section 335Public Access Plan

• Access may be physical, visual, interpretive
• Requires access similar to that impacted by
  proposed development or activity
• Access may be provided off-site
• Variance may be granted if no significant public
  access impacts can be demonstrated

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Red Book Section 335Public Access Plan

• Apponaug Cove Marina

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Red Book Section 335Public Access Plan

• Thames Street Landing Stone Harbour
  Condominiums

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Red Book Section 335Public Access Plan

• CRMC Approved Projects with 335 Public Access
  Plan City/Town
• Stone Harbour Bristol
• Thames Street Landing Bristol
• Weetamoe Farms Bristol
• Wharf Tavern Bristol
• Sakonnet Point Club Little Compton
• Knowlesway Extension (at Pt. Judith Pond)
  Narragansett
• Caseys Marina Newport
• Newport Onshore Newport
• The Inn at Long Wharf (Marina) Newport
• West Wind Marina (Waites Wharf) Newport
• Blue Beach (Economic Development Corporation)
  North Kingstown
• Compass Rose Beach (Economic Development
  Corporation) North Kingstown
• Jamestown Bridge (RI Department of
  Transportation) North Kingstown
• Keiffer Park (Economic Development Corporation)
  North Kingstown
• North Kingstown Town Marina North Kingstown
• Spinks Neck Beach (Economic Development
  Corporation) North Kingstown
• Carnegie Abbey Portsmouth

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• The council is responsible for the designation
  of all public rights-of-way to the tidal water
  areas of the state, and shall carry on a
  continuing discovery of appropriate public
  rights-of-way to the tidal water areas of the
  state
• - RIGL Ch. 46-23-6

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• CRMC has designated 221 ROWs
• CRMC responds to request to improve public access
  at Daunis ROW (P-1)
• Adopt-An-Access Program established 2005

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• First Adopt-an-Access Daunis ROW CRMC
  Designation No. P-1
• Town of Barrington plan to establish parking on
  Daunis ROW
• RI Superior Court Sartor et. al., v. Town of
  Barrington
• plaintiffs contend ROW footpath only
• Can Town improve parcel for vehicular access and
  parking?
• 1915 dedication of relocated parcel creates a
  substitute street running to the shore
• Intention was to create a street and not a mere
  footpath for public access to the shore

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• The Parcel is a right-of-way that is intended to
  accommodate the public-at-large and not merely
  abutters of the property or those in walking
  distance. In such a case automobile access is
  reasonable and necessary.
• - Sartor et. al., v. Town of Barrington, C.A. No.
  03-3985

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• Daunis ROW (P-1)

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• Obstruction at Daunis ROW

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• Obstruction at Daunis ROW

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• Memorandum of Understanding
• Section I Authorities Purpose
• (RIGL 46-23-6 and RICRMP)
• Section II Responsibilities
• (CRMC, Municipality, Adopting Entity)
• Section III Amendment Termination
• (Mutual agreement and six-month notice)
• Letter of Permission

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• Five ROWs adopted in 2007 by
• Save Bristol Harbor
• Constitution Street (S-4)
• Union Street (S-5)
• Walley Street (S-6)
• Poppasquash Road (S-19)
• Oliver Street (S-22)

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CRMC Designated ROWsAdopt-an-Access

• Adoptions Pending in 2007
• Ruggles Avenue, Newport (Z-4) Clean Ocean Access
• Nausauket Road, Warwick (J-24) RI Salt Water
  Anglers Association
• Capstan Road, Jamestown (G-12) Roberts Family
• Bluff Road, Westerly (A-2) Watch Hill Visitors
  Bureau
• Bass Rock Road, Narragansett (C-6) URI Chapter
  Coastal Society
• Conant Road, Narragansett (C-7) Narragansett
  Surfcasters
• Tuckerman Avenue, Middletown (Y-1) Clean Ocean
  Access Milnes Family

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Its YOUR Public Access!