2023 -- S 0198
========
LC001547
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- AQUACULTURE
Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, and Felag
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 20-10 of the General Laws entitled "Aquaculture" is hereby amended 1
by adding thereto the following section: 2
20-10-6.1. Sakonnet River area leases - Pilot program. 3
(a) Beginning on July 1, 2023, and for a period of two (2) years, all leases related to the 4
Sakonnet River area granted pursuant to the provisions of ยง 20-10-6 shall be sited not less than one 5
thousand feet (1,000'.) from the median high tide line. For purposes of this section, the Sakonnet 6
River area shall be described as that river that extends northward from Rhode Island Sound to 7
Mount Hope Bay, passing along the east side of Aquidneck Island. The coastal resources 8
management council (CRMC) shall promulgate rules which delineate and define the exact 9
boundaries of the Sakonnet River area. 10
(b) On July 1, 2023, any oyster farm operation in existence and located within the one 11
thousand-foot (1,000') area shall be exempt from the restrictions contained in subsection (a) of this 12
section. 13
(c) Unless renewed by the general assembly, the provisions of this section shall sunset and 14
expire on July 1, 2025. 15
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 16
========
LC001547
========
LC001547 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- AQUACULTURE
***
This act would require all aquaculture leases in the Sakonnet river area, granted by the 1
coastal resources management council (CRMC), to be located at least one thousand feet (1000') 2
from the median high tide line. Oyster farms in operation within the one thousand-foot (1,000') area 3
on July 1, 2023, would be exempt. This restriction would expire on July 1, 2025, unless renewed 4
by the general assembly. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
========
LC001547
========