Frequently Asked Questions

Federal Grants used to create the area recognized that Sapowet offers unique wildlife habitat. The grants expressed concern about “the loss of wildlife habitat that occurs as a result of pressure to develop,” and the “loss of habitat resulting from these development pressures” which “threatens the conservation of fish and wildlife values in the area.” The area was created “in order to counteract these negative consequences.”

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management recently announced that Sapowet was one of five areas in Rhode Island to receive $1.1mm in US Fish and Wildlife Grants to fund the restortion of saltmarsh, barrier beaches, and coastal upland habitat. These grants acknowledge the high ecological value of Sapowet for the Salt Marsh Sparrow habitat and other species.

The Sapowet Marsh Management area is an irreplaceable public good, which deserves exceptional protection from commercial development and activity.

The Town of Tiverton supports this bill as well as the Tiverton Harbor Commission, the Tiverton Conservation Commission and large stakeholder groups like Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

This legislation would not allow a commercial operation to be placed in unique, invaluable locations, such as the Sapowet Wildlife Management area waters where there is a designated recreational shellfishing area, a fragile Sapowet Marsh ecosystem, and recreational use of the waters.

In addition, it reduces significant conflict with riparian mooring and recreational use.

Given the 11-mile length of the Sakonnet, there are many alternate locations for an aquaculture operation.

Here are a few from the Sapowet Wildlife Management Area:

—Forty percent of the proposed lease is an RIDEM designated public shellfishing area. If a lease is granted, the public will no longer be able to quahog and shellfish there. The lease area will become off limits to shellfishing.

—Metal cages may not be submerged during all tides and will create a dangerous obstacle for kiteboarding, sailing, stand-up paddling, and kayaking.

—It is hazardous to wade or swim among the cages in an oyster farm.

—It will also obstruct the ability to fish from outside the lease area: fish run when caught. Therefore the “footprint” of the interference with casting for fish and fishing in general, is much larger than the borders of the lease

—It will not be possible to fish among the cages. The aquaculture cages can tear an angler’s waders, entangle fishing line, and injure a snagged fish.

—Shallow areas like Sapowet attract night fishermen – night fishing is essential to the sport --and the cages will pose a hazard for wading anglers, especially at dark.

The CRMC changed its notification process and requires applicants to provide more information about what else takes place within the ‘1,000 ft Contiguous Area’ of a proposed site.

The changes were needed because the CRMC failed to collect meaningful stakeholder input which would have demonstrated significant use by the public.

No. People travel from all over Rhode Island to use this area, not just waterfront homeowners. It’s about using and enjoying Rhode Island’s most valuable public marine resource, the access and rights to this are set forth in the Rhode Island Constitution. In fact, at the Sapowet Wildlife Management area, federal and state funds were used to restore this location for recreational public use. The purpose of these funds is to enhance the preservation and protection of these areas for public enjoyment.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Rhode Island’s blue economy is $2.8 billion dollars. Of this, recreational fishing is a large economic driver.

Recreational fishing contributes $419 million dollars and 4,000 jobs. Shore-based expenditures on fishing account for $33 million of the $419mm with 342,000 recreational anglers taking 1.5 million shore outings to fish. Recreational angling attracts out of state tourism with almost 70% of the recreational anglers coming from out of state.

By comparison, CRMC’s 2022 annual report on aquaculture states that aquaculture is a $8.2 million dollar industry that accounts for 76 full time year-round jobs. Most jobs are seasonal or part time. The new legislation would not impact those jobs.

The Sapowet Wildlife Management area is Type 1 water. This is the state’s cleanest classification and most highly protected waters. In fact, microplastics and visual pollution from oyster gear are a growing concern in pristine areas. This legislation will protect these waters from commercial development.