For those of you who are interested: Some members of the Newport City Council are seeking to restrict the issue of the "Newport Fishing Vehicle Parking Permit" to Newport residents only. Apparently some Newport surf fishermen are complaining that they can't find parking spots on Ruggles Ave and Ledge Road because they are already taken by "out of town" fishermen. This season there have been 207 permits issued: Newport Residents(77), Middletown(30), Portsmouth(14), Mass(47), Rest of RI and other states(39).
I went to last night's Newport City Council meeting representing my fishing club. I expressed my displeasure with the proposal knowing full well that many of our members who have a permit are Newport County residents and I'm trying to protect this privilege for them. My argument was well received by the council. I feel our club is in an ethical dilemma. Should we be trying to protect parking access to the Cliff Walk for those fishermen who trash the place up and give all local fishermen a bad image? I hate the thought that some of my very best fishing buddies from Middletown, Portsmouth and beyond may not be able to get the parking permit if this new ordinance passes. The first reading of the proposed ordinance passed last night but could be amended at the next reading.
I asked councilwomen Kate Leonard to try and come up with a compromise such as restricting the issue of passes to "Newport County" residents which would include Middletown and Portsmouth fishermen. The council may also come up with an adjusted non-resident fee for the permit which I'm sure will be much higher than the current $10 so as to limit who will purchase it. I don't like supporting anything that restricts access for surf fishermen but I may have to so as to protect access for Newport resident surf fishermen.
What are your feelings? Any suggestions?
DZ

How about Aquindeck Island residents only? What area is exactly covered by Newport County?

I dont like it ! I dont like it one bit ! Us out of staters shouldnt be denied access to the shore in any state ! There goes another fishing spot , to those that dont like to share . I bet some of the locals leave trash behind too ! I see your situation DZ at least your trying to open it up to others that have just as much right as the locals to use the shore . Good Luck !

Newport County = Aquidneck Island, Jamestown, Tiverton, Little Compton.
Chris,
Access to the Cliff Walk would not be denied. Just parking on certain streets - which for all practical purposes may deny access. Enterprising anglers will still hoof-it in from other parking locations. By the way I agree that "trashy fishermen" are not all out of towners.
This is a tough issue. Parking, fishing ethics, and access to the shore are the most important issue's facing surf casters today. Issue's that we must resolve if surf casting an open shore is to remain a viable past time in the future. I urge all anglers to carry plastic bags and pick up refuse where ever you fish whether it is yours or not. The general public see a mess in a fishing area and think we're all slobs. We have to change that image. I hate to pick up someone else's trash but WE BETTER DO IT! Those who don't - START.

This is a horribly tough issue. Both sides have a point.

I don't think its related to the trash, 'cause that may not even be fishermen (teenagers having a beer bash, whatever) and the trash can come from anyone and float in from the anywhere.

The issue is access.

On one side it sure would stink if you couldn't fish your local waters 'cause you can't find a spot. You are invested in your community and there should be benefits to that. You pay property taxes, local taxes, support the community in many ways. You should have some rights to it.

On the other side, our free United States of America becomes less so every year. The "land of the free" includes a hell of alot of "private" property, that no one can access, but a priviledged few. Does the coast belong to the wealthy?

There is no solution to this problem that would make everyone happy. Dividing up permits seems pretty fair.

Locals get half, everyone else gets a shot at the other half, essentially giving locals a bigger share (following the logic that "everyone else" makes up a larger percentage of the population).

The parking permit was always something I commended Newport for . With all the mansions and rich folks and yet they still wanted fisherman to have some access . I Havent gotten one in a few years but it was one of them things that I thought was good for fisherman and I guess like alot of places all over the garbage fishers have ruined the access . Thats how it is here in Ct we loose access every year do to slobs and loud drunks . My daughters and I try and clean up when ever we go to the beach here its just too overwhelming for the 3 of us . people think we are nuts but they must be the slobs . I wish they would see that the beer bottles and bait containers are lighter when they head off the beach . My daughters call the West Haven sandbar the "garbage beach " and plead with me not to bring them there .

if the price goes up Id still pay ( depending how deep Id have to dig )to have access to the walk . Id rather not of course .
I fish more at Brenton point and Adams Sp when I fish newport .
Again good luck with the commitee !

It’s one week before the 4th of July, and close to the end of the one of the best fishing months - I’m not surprised that parking is getting tight for residents and non-residents alike. But we surfcasters need to be careful when participating in any parking restriction effort. What happens if access is restricted and the place is still trashed up? Uh oh....
If I lived in Newport County, I would be concerned. Not so much about the out-of-towners – most go away after Labor Day – but about the nature of the objective. Restricting access to just one group, or a collection of groups, could be the start of a decent down a slippery slope that leads to no access for all.
Some out of town permit buyers are around just for vacation. I know an inn owner who gets several well off fly fishers each season who come to fish the cliff walk while their wives shop. If I owned a B&B or tackle business, or was involved in the tourist industry - I might like the fact that a tourist can fish from shore – they can’t do it in a lot of other places. Maybe it makes more sense to advocate for finding more spots and using the permit money to keep the place clean?
Joe

Good points, tough issue...

In the end, I think access must be made to all, regardless of where resident. Joe has a good point about the "well off fly fishers" too.

I do think that enforcement of littering should be started. When was the last time you heard of someone getting busted for tossing stuff out of a car window? Doesn't happen... On the flip side, how often have you seen trash bins overflowed for days or a week before pickup?

Get regualr law enforcement & EPOs writing citations for littering. Not the big $2000 dollar fine once a year to one or two people to make it look good but a $200 fine WHENEVER it's seen - heck, give firefighters & school teachers the authority too (just not the audobon society :D ). After a couple years of thousands upon thousands of written $100 fines per community, some budjet shortfalls will have been helped out, people will hesitate before tossing trash, and the areas will get cleaner...

On that note, who else has seen an increase in the teenage beach partying just since school is out?