Seapowet Update
Dear Save Seapowet Supporters,
At the CRMC Council meeting last week, the Council received the Hearing Officer's ruling on a Motion to Dismiss the contested Bowen Application.
The Hearing Officer denied the Motion to Dismiss. The application now proceeds to a hearing on the merits of the application where the public will be able to participate and give testimony. Your participation at the Hearing will matter. There’s no date set at this time.
We believe this ruling is wrong, and the record shows why. The General Assembly passed Rhode Island law § 32-1-5.2 in June 2024 prohibiting commercial development in Sapowet Cove. No final permit (“assent”) was ever issued to the applicants so their application was still pending. Does a pending application create a vested right in leasing waters held in trust for the public? This is one of the central questions, and belongs in front of a court, not buried in a procedural ruling.
This law protects investment of public funds used to create Sapowet to provide a natural wild area for recreation, fishing, hunting, shell fishing, beachcombing, kayaking and more. Since 1956, over $2 million of state and federal funds were used to create the Sapowet Wildlife Management Area, more than $4 million in today's dollars. The Tiverton Harbor Commission and the Tiverton Town Council voted unanimously to oppose the project. Residents, stakeholder groups, and other users of the Cove sent formal objections.
Representative Edwards and Senator DiPalma introduced this law § 32-1-5.2 specifically to protect this natural resource for the public and to prohibit commercial development in Sapowet Cove. The General Assembly listened by passing the law to protect the area and the legislative intent was clear. This legislation wasn't ambiguous.
Seapowet Wildlife Management Area was established with public investment for the purpose of outdoor recreation for everyone. Not a private commercial lease.
The fight to keep Sapowet Cove undeveloped and peaceful is still very much alive.
Save Seapowet!