2024 -- S 2415

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LC004655

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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: Senators DiPalma, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     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) Sapowet Marsh Management Area, comprised of two hundred ninety-six (296) acres,

more or less, located within the town of Tiverton and Sapowet Coves 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; nor shall the land or 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, be used for any purpose other than passive outdoor recreation; nor shall the land be sold,

leased, or otherwise conveyed or transferred except that short-term leasing of three (3) months or

less may be allowed; provided that, such lease does not allow or at any time result in the

development of the land or the attached water or in any way alter the land's or the attached water's

current undeveloped state.

     (b) The land and the attached water shall be designated "open space" within the meaning

of § 45-36-1.

     (c) For purposes of this section, "passive outdoor recreation" means the use of land for

natural areas, nature trails, forests, wetlands and marsh lands preservation, wildlife habitat, hunting,

fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, gardening, and scenic preservation.

     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 designate Sapowet Marsh Management Area, comprised of two hundred

ninety-six (296) acres, more or less, located within the town of Tiverton and Sapowet Cove as open

space to be utilized only for passive outdoor recreation.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004655

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