Protect Rhode Island’s Shoreline Access in Middletown, RI

Rhode Island’s shoreline belongs to everyone. Public rights-of-way are protected under state law to ensure that all Rhode Islanders can access and enjoy the coast—not just those who live beside it.

But public access protections only work when they are actively enforced.

That reality became clear recently at CRMC-designated Right-of-Way Y-1 on Tuckerman Avenue in Middletown, a legally protected shoreline access point recognized by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). Construction activity at the site extended beyond approved project limits and encroached on the public access area.

Following community advocacy and public pressure, CRMC conducted a site visit and determined that impacts to the public right-of-way were “in nonconformance” with the approved assent. The contractor was instructed to restore the site within 10 days or face potential enforcement action, including fines and a cease-and-desist order. This response was an important step forward—and proof that enforcement matters.

A major shoutout to Bo Allen, who led this campaign for the chapter, and our partners at Middletown Coastal Access Alliance.

At the same time, the situation highlighted broader concerns around timely enforcement, agency capacity, and long-term protection of Rhode Island’s shoreline access points.

Rhode Island’s public rights-of-way are essential community assets that provide access for walking, fishing, surfing, swimming, and enjoying the shore. CRMC maintains dozens of designated access points across the state, including multiple protected shoreline rights-of-way in Middletown’s Easton’s Point neighborhood.

When shoreline access points are blocked, damaged, or altered without timely intervention:

• Public access is lost in real time
• Coastal ecosystems may be impacted
• Community trust in enforcement erodes
• Existing protections become harder to uphold

The Tuckerman Avenue issue is not just about one site—it demonstrates why Rhode Island needs strong, responsive coastal oversight and enforcement systems capable of protecting the public’s rights before damage occurs.

We are calling for:

• Strong enforcement of shoreline access protections
• Timely response to coastal access violations
• Greater accountability and transparency
• Continued investment in coastal management and oversight
• Protection of Rhode Islanders’ constitutional shoreline access rights

Protecting coastal access requires more than laws on paper—it requires action on the ground.

Join us in supporting stronger coastal enforcement and protecting Rhode Island’s public shoreline access points. Reach out to ri@surfrider.org to get involved.

Together, we can ensure Rhode Island’s coast remains accessible, protected, and preserved for future generations.