New 2024 Legislation to Protect Seapowet!
January 13, 2024
Dear Save Seapowet Supporter,
Representative John “Jay” Edwards has introduced new legislation, House bill H 7060. This bill restricts commercial development and preserves for recreational use the Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area (“Seapowet”) and contiguous waters in Sapowet Cove. We need your letters of support for this new 2024 legislation!
Thanks to Representative Edwards who has been a steadfast supporter of protecting this incredibly valuable coastal area for its wildlife value and for public access. Sapowet was created using federal funds from the US Fish and Wildlife Service dating back to 1956. The objectives in creating this area were clear in the grant application (1997 Lacerda purchase FW-15-L) for funds used to acquire the land:
“To identify, evaluate, and acquire properties in the Sapowet Management Boundary Area that provide important fish and wildlife habitat values and which support public recreation for hunting, fishing and compatible fish and wildlife associated recreational activities.”
If passed, the new legislation will prohibit commercial ventures such as aquaculture in the proposed area. The waters will be protected for recreation, scenic values, and conservation of critical wildlife habitat for now, and for future generations. You can read the press release on this bill from the state legislature here.
Our legislators must hear from us so they move this bill from committee to the House floor for a vote. We need your help to write letters of support for this bill. Please send your letter this week.
H 7060 will be considered by the House Municipal Government and Housing committee. Please email:
HouseMunicipalGovernmentandHousing@rilegislature.gov
cc: Representatives Edwards, Kennedy, Bennett, Cortvriend, and Abney (rep-edwards@rilegislature.gov, Rep-Kennedy@rilegislature.gov, rep-bennett@rilegislature.gov, rep-cortvriend@rilegislature.gov, rep-abney@rilegislature.gov), and saveseapowet@gmail.com
The email must include:
your name
bill number H 7060 testimony
a statement that you are “for” the bill.
Add your personal words about why you are writing in support of the bill. It can be short.
Reasons to support the bill:
You regularly use the area and value the open space, sensitive ecosystem, scenic vistas, and recreational use Sapowet provides for the public.
The Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area was established in 1956, using federal funds, to preserve the area’s open spaces and critical habitat for hunting, fishing, scenic, and recreational use.
You believe the state legislature must protect one of Rhode Island’s most valuable ecosystems where sensitive wildlife habitat and recreational use are being threatened by increased pressure from commercial development.
The waters around Seapowet are designated as Natural Heritage Areas within Rhode Island’s Wildlife Action Plan. This plan highlights the commercial development as a threat to certain kinds of bird and wildlife habitat found in and around the coastal waters of Seapowet. The bill will protect this habitat.
This bill is a legislative solution to uphold Rhode Island’s Public Trust Doctrine and preserve public waters at Seapowet.
This bill makes up for regulatory weaknesses at state and federal agencies because they have been unable or unwilling to protect an area like this from commercial development.
Thank you for your support of this important cause. Your advocacy and letters make a difference!
Save Seapowet!