Webinar - Behind the Scenes of the RI Coastal Access Bill

The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and Rhode Island Sea Grant invite you to learn how the Rhode Island shoreline access bill moved forward in the legislature this year.

WHAT: Public Shoreline Access Webinar: Behind the Scenes of RI's Access Bill
WHEN: Wednesday, June 21, 5-6:30pm
WHERE: Online

VIEW WEBINAR BELOW

Nathan Vinhateiro of the URI Coastal Institute demonstrates where the mean high tide line was at a public shoreline access event in Westerly in 2022

Representative Cortvriend discusses her lateral shoreline access bill at a public shoreline access event in Westerly in 2022

SPEAKERS:

• Representative Terri Cortvriend (D-District 72 representing Middletown and Portsmouth)
• Senator Mark McKenney (D-District 30 representing Warwick)
• Michael Woods, chair of the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and advocate for public access in Rhode Island

Rep. Cortvriend and Sen. McKenney, sponsors of their respective House and Senate shoreline access bills, will discuss the movement and passage of the bill and their contributions to that effort, which would clarify Rhode Islanders' right to lateral shoreline access by defining a 10-foot-wide lateral path along the shore. They’ll be joined by Woods, who will talk about what the public can do to take an active role in the legislative process.

These talks are part of a larger effort to improve shoreline public access, awareness, and education. The CRMC is also working to designate more rights-of-way in locations throughout Rhode Island, including underserved and urban communities.

For more information and resources pertaining to shoreline public access, go to www.crmc.ri.gov/initiatives/shorelineaccess/.
For a guide to selected Rhode Island shoreline access sites, visit shoreline-ri.com.