Quote:
Originally Posted by DZ
Congrats to RIMS members on this site. Remain vigilant!
DZ
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You're right, Dennis - like crime and rust, attempts to deny access to the shore never sleeps and you have to keep your eyes open!
While the well-heeled owners of waterfront properties feel that access should be restricted to the well-to-do, 'conservancy' groups can often be the worst - and having met some of the Quonny Pond people a few years back, they are no doubt one and the same.
Luckily for us, our rights as Rhode Islanders to access the shore are guaranteed by the passage in the Rhode Island Constitution that is based on the 1663 Colonial Charter of King Charles II that grants to the public the "rights of fishery and the privileges of the shore to which they have heretofore been entitled."
Unfortunately, fighting attempts to restrict access in the courts is an expensive affair but every victory sets another precedent.
Although this particular decision may be appealed, hats off to RIMS for pursuing their rights...
