Insights on Access and Representation in Rhode Island's Ocean State
Peter Jenkins testifies on the significance of fishing activities in Rhode Island and emphasizes the importance of access to shorelines for residents and tourists. He highlights challenges faced by a diverse user group and advocates for legislative protection of constitutional rights in the face of environmental realities.
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Lateral Access Testimony 11/4/21 Peter Jenkins The Saltwater Edge Middletown, RI Chairman The American Saltwater Guide Association
Fishing From the Beach IS Fishing in The Ocean State More than 50% of all DEM license sales More than double either for hire or private boat A significant portion of SW licenses are purchased by people from out of state. That's called tourism. COVID Impact - participation is up as fishing is a good socially distanced activity Other smaller user groups (surfers, kayakers, hunters and birders) each contributing their own revenue I am here to speak for my customers and share their concerns
What makes the Ocean State an attractive place to live? Freedom to access and use the shore Compelling reason to visit Compelling reason to stay Unrelenting efforts by private individuals, clubs and towns to deny, limit and impede access to the water If not for RISAA I don't know where the public would be Literally the only line of defense This large, diverse and economically vital constituency lacks of representation
What makes the Ocean State an attractive place to live? Courtesy of Chariho Times
What makes the Ocean State an attractive place to live? Courtesy of Newport Daily News
Property Lines and Environmental Reality Lots of complicating factors that amount to distractions The vocal minority vs a diverse user group that has been short-changed many times over due to lack of representation - death by 1,000 cuts Your constituents need legislation to protect and reconcile their constitutional rights with our environmental reality Small businesses negatively impacted as access dwindles Speciality Shops Deli s and Coffee Shops Hotels
Who Are These People? One of the beautiful things about having a passion is the people you meet that you likely would not have met otherwise. Partial List: First Responders School Teachers Bank Presidents Subsistence Fisherman Chefs and Bussers Tradesman We are all equal before fish Smart politicians call these people constituents.
We Need a Practical Boundary Easy to interpret Ideally Visible Confidently enjoy the shore Straight forward to enforce Seaweed Settlement - a $25,000 waste of police time and public resources Thus, police should leave visitors (alleged trespassers) who are otherwise law-abiding at liberty unless there is some intrusion into the enclosed or landscaped area constituting the yard; the cottages immediate surroundings must, of course, be protected. - Michael Rubin Don t break the law Dynamic - it s in fact a fluid situation The water will keep rising on property owners - reality
Part of Roger Williams Royal Charter Royal Charter included freedom to access the shore in the original frameworks of many states Rhode Island Massachusetts Connecticut Pennsylvania In the United Kingdom, those fish were the Kings property - in reality Doesn't matter if you have a castle Saltwater fishing from the beach is a tradition in the Ocean State that needs to be defended
Saltwater fishing from the beach is a tradition in the Ocean State Access needs to be protected for future generations - simple pleasure of the Ocean State Propose a four foot (width of a sidewalk) path just above the wrack line to provide lateral access to the Rhode Island shoreline Ask that a future Commission examine perpendicular access to the shore
Guess what? My take is: when the state and town beaches allow people to start fires on their beach, fish, play cornhole, drink, get naked, and litter their stuff all over, then guess what I'll let everybody on my beach, too, Property owner Keith Wilcox
