2024 -- H 8016

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LC005444

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO STUDY

AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO RESTORE THE OPERATIONAL

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POINT JUDITH BREAKWATER

     Introduced By: Representative P. Morgan

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2024

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     WHEREAS, Point Judith Harbor breakwater is a partial border between the communities

of Narragansett and South Kingstown, and connects Point Judith Harbor with the Atlantic by a

narrow waterway that cuts through the beaches and sandy shoreline; and

     WHEREAS, Used by a large fishing fleet and local and transient recreational craft, Point

Judith Harbor handles a large amount of passenger traffic, primarily during the summer; and

     WHEREAS, Original work on the breakwater for the Point Judith Harbor dates back to

1905, and in 1914, additional breakwater projects were completed, with updates in 1950 and

1977; and

     WHEREAS, The breakwater work consists of a 6,970-foot-long main stone breakwater in

Point Judith Harbor, a 2,240-foot-long stone breakwater extending southwesterly from Point

Judith, and a 3,640-foot-long stone breakwater extending southerly from the entrance to Point

Judith Pond. These three structures provide shelter for refuge, search and rescue operations, a

commercial harbor, and a sandy, recreational shoreline; and

     WHEREAS, When first constructed, the structure reached over 8-10 feet above the water

line but is now easily overwhelmed by waves, leaving the surrounding area inadequately

protected from storms and rising sea levels; and

     WHEREAS, Over the past 46 years, these barriers have received no maintenance or

repair and have suffered significant damage due to wave erosion and neglect, leaving them in a

severely damaged state, and with questionable functional efficiency compared to the as-built

condition; and

     WHEREAS, The safety of our State’s fishing fleet, docks and the surrounding homes and

businesses are threatened by the degradation of the barrier structure; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

requests that the US Army Corps of Engineers revisit the Pt. Judith breakwater and restore it to

the benefit of the area and to our State; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the New England District, US Army Corps of

Engineers.

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