CRMC grants Attorney General’s intervention in Spring Avenue public right of way matter

Published on Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following statement today following the decision by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) Subcommittee on Rights-of-Way to grant the Attorney General’s motion to intervene in the matter of the Spring Avenue Extension in Westerly, a case that affects the State's coastal and environmental resources:

“I am pleased with the CRMC’s decision to grant our motion to intervene in this proceeding as we seek to designate Westerly’s Spring Avenue as a public right-of-way. As an intervening party in this case, my Office is seeking to restore and protect this important public access point to the Westerly waterfront. This Office will continue to fight on behalf of Rhode Islanders to preserve their constitutionally enshrined right to our state’s coast and waterways.”

Public Right-of-Way Protection by Attorney General Neronha

Public access to Rhode Island’s coastal and waterfront resources is a priority mission of the Attorney General, who is empowered to protect the public’s rights and interests in accessing our state’s coastal resources.

This action dovetails with previous efforts by Attorney General Neronha to protect Rhode Islanders’ access to coastal and waterfront access. Similar action has been taken by Attorney General Neronha, in coordination with CRMC and Save the Bay, in Providence (Public Street) and downtown Newport Harbor (Lee’s Wharf), where public access to the state’s waterways were or will be restored after the removal of hindrances.

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