The Rhode Island Department of Natural Resources would be prohibited from issuing commercial leases for the Sapowet Marsh Management Area under legislation approved by the Tiverton House of Representatives on Thursday.
Rep. John Edwards (D-R.I.) sponsored the measure. He stated that the original reason the area was purchased was to preserve this critical marsh area to keep it free of commercial and residential development, and to allow continued public access for hunting, fishing, shellfishing and general recreation for future generations.
The Sapowet Marsh Management Area, which spans almost 300 acres, was oringally created 1948 under a grant from the Truman Administration to the Rhode Island Department of Natural Resources. The legislation would also authorize the Department of Environmental Management to promote passive outdoor recreation at the area and allow for agricultural leases on a portion of the land.
The Rhode Island Department of Natural Resources has been considering an oyster farm project for the area. The Coastal Resources Management Council has drawn out an application process for the project but has not yet reached a definitive answer.
The legislation approved by the Tiverton House prohibits the water at the mouth of the marsh from being used for any purpose other than passive outdoor recreation. Passive outdoor recreation is defined as “the use of land and water for the restorations, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife and their habitats and wildlife-associated recreation such as hunting and fishing”. The bill now moves to the state Senate.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
