To the editor:

Tiverton once again is fighting to protect and preserve its unique natural resources as oyster farm developers make misleading claims and seek to limit recreational use of Seapowet waterfront areas.  Without notification to Seapowet residents, the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) is reviewing two permits for the creation of aquaculture farms in backyards of Seapowet residents.  

One of the developers, Bowen & Bowen of Little Compton has claimed that the Seapowet area is “not conducive to boating, swimming, or fishing.” They are proposing 200 sixteen-inch high cages, as outlined in their CRMC application (File #2020-04-07, available at SaveSeapowet.org).  Interesting that they did not propose this commercial venture in their own community.

Local residents are rallying to understand the process and why they were not notified.  As part of the review process, CRMC sought authorization from DEM, RI Marine Fisheries, RI Office of Water Resources, RI Historical Preservation Commission, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, but not Seapowet residents.  The Tiverton Harbor Commission has also reviewed this project with no notification to residents.  The impact of these projects includes not only restricted access to waterfront recreational activities and disruption to the natural landscape of our town, but also the establishment of commercial businesses in residential areas. These factors should be of concern to all members of our community.  

Moving forward, I hope the community will be better informed of the government entities responsible for ensuring public input so as to be included in each step of the process.  This is essential to ensuring that Tiverton residents for generations to come may continue to enjoy the benefits of coastal living; swimming, fishing, kayaking in their own backyards, as well as the opportunity to preserve Tiverton’s natural resources — perhaps the most valuable asset of our community.

Diane Sanna

Tiverton