2024 -- H 7060 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Kennedy, Bennett, Cortvriend, and Abney

     Date Introduced: January 05, 2024

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 32-1 of the General Laws entitled "General Provisions" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     32-1-5.2. Sapowet Marsh Management Area -- Prohibition of development.

     (a) The department of environmental management is authorized to allow and promote

passive outdoor recreation within the boundaries of the land of Sapowet Marsh Management Area

and to enter into leases for the agricultural use of any portion of the land of the management area.

     (b) Sapowet Cove, an area of water that runs from Sapowet Point easterly to the bridge and

then southerly, perpendicular to Sapowet Avenue, shall not at any time be commercially developed

or in any way modified from its current undeveloped state. The water at the mouth of the marsh,

for a distance of two thousand feet (2,000') from the bridge to Sapowet Point, measured in a

southerly direction from the shoreline, shall not be used for any purpose other than passive outdoor

recreation.

     (c) For purposes of this section, "passive outdoor recreation" means 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.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

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     This act would authorize the department of environmental management to allow and

promote passive recreation and enter into leases for agricultural use within certain boundaries

designated as the land of Sapowet Marsh Management Area.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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