Rhode Island's relatively new shoreline access law continues to be a contentious issue in coastal communities, as many groups seek access to a shoreline that has become increasingly walled off by private homes.
Those groups include anglers, beach-goers, quahoggers, and Indigenous people with deep cultural ties to the shore. These groups are rubbing up against those who own property along the ocean, and those who wish to protect sensitive wildlife areas from human foot traffic. Combine all these competing interests with sea level rise and beach erosion, and you have a recipe for confusion and contention.
As beach season approaches, this panel and community conversation will help demystify shoreline access — identifying where private property rights end and where public access begins.
The panel and audience Q&A will be moderated by ecoRI News reporter Rob Smith. Rob covers the Statehouse for ecoRI News and has reported extensively on coastal-access issues.
Confirmed panelists:
Leah Feldman, policy analyst at Coastal Resources Management Council
Rich Hittinger, Vice president Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
Shawn Lacey, Westerly town manager
Jesse Reiblich, assistant professor, URI Department of Marine Affairs
Nathan Vinhateiro, associate research professor and science director at the URI Coastal
