2008 -- S 2634 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

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LC01597/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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A N A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS - THE JAMESTOWN BRIDGE FISHING PARK

     Introduced By: Senator James C. Sheehan

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2008

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 24-12-51.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 24-12 entitled "Rhode

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Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     24-12-51.1. Jamestown Verrazano Bridge -- Fishing area and park. –Former

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Jamestown Verrazano Bridge – Public fishing area. -- (a) The director of the department of

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transportation and department of environmental management is are hereby authorized and

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directed to retain a portion of the North Kingstown side of the existing the state-owned land

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adjacent to the former Jamestown Bridge on the North Kingstown side of the former bridge for

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use as a public fishing pier parking area and public shore access site. The portion land so retained

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shall be sufficient in area to facilitate the purposes of this section and shall be open to the general

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public at no charge, and shall be made accessible to persons with disabilities, and shall provide

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the public with free and unfettered access to the shore and/or to any structure built over the water,

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in accordance with subsection (b) below.

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      (b) The director directors of the department of transportation and department of

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environmental management is are hereby authorized and directed to give due consideration to

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further development of the public shore access site provided for in this section, particularly with

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regard to recreational fishing opportunities. Such consideration shall include, but not be limited

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to, the potential establishment of a public fishing pier, boat access, and/or park. In pursuing

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further development of the site, the directors shall seek to maximize public use and enjoyment of

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the site, particularly with regard to fishing access. Any structures or facilities so developed

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develop and maintain a park on state owned land adjacent to the existing Jamestown Bridge on

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the North Kingstown side of the bridge, suitable for use in conjunction with the fishing pier

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provided for in this section. The park shall be open to the general public at no charge and shall be

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made accessible to persons with disabilities.

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     (c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any general or public law,

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rule or regulation, the state of Rhode Island shall be responsible for maintenance and security of

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the site described in this section.

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     (d) Notwithstanding the aforementioned, the directors of the department of transportation

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and the department of environmental management are hereby authorized to limit public access to

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the site described in this section, between sunset and sunrise.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01597/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS - THE JAMESTOWN BRIDGE FISHING PARK

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     This act would repeal the require that direction of the department to transportation and

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the director of the department of environmental management retain the state owned land adjacent

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to the former Jamestown Verrazano Bridge for the purpose of providing shoreline access. Said

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directors are also authorized and directed to give due consideration for the development of said

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land for public access particularly with regard to recreational fishing opportunities.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01597/SUB A

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2008 -- S 2634 H.

SUBSTITUTE A

A N A C T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS - THE JAMESTOWN BRIDGE FISHING PARK

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LC01597/SUB A

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Presented by