To the editor:

In the Sakonnet Times letters to the editor, July 15, Dr. Andrew L  Rhyne claims that Tiverton residents are making baseless claims about the proposed oyster farms for Seapowet Conservation area. Dr. Rhyne is making the incorrect claims.

Dr Rhyne claims that Rhode Island keeps recreational uses in mind when approving oyster farms. He also states that the farm will not interfere with the local waterways. Yet the proposed oyster farm is right off Seapowet Conservation land where land is protected for residents to kayak, fish and swim. Placing the farm here will interfere with the use of conservation land set aside for free public use.

Dr Rhyne claims that only a small sliver of water will be used by the oyster farms. Once again he is wrong. The entire area from Fogland Beach through Seapowet to Emily Ruecker Wildlife Refuge is designated available for more oyster farms according to the CRMC. 

In fact there is an open proposal for an 8 1/4 acre farm almost immediately south of the Seapowet farm and a three acre farm proposed immediately north of Seapowet Point. A small oyster farm has been proposed for Fogland and two other farms are already operating in the area. A Save Seapowet advocate has calculated that up to 128 acres of oyster farms can be fit into the space designated open to oyster farms off our shores.

Dr Rhyne says that the farms are little, but three acre and eight acre farms in limited space is not insignificant. The proposed farm from Dr Rhyne’s Little Compton neighbors is listed as only one acre. But the proposers just bought 1/8 acre of unbuildable land for $100,000 between two residents’ property and across the street from state protected land. Obviously, the proposed one acre oyster farm is only a foot in the door. You can’t pay for a $100,000 piece of land with a small farm. It will grow if not stopped.

This area has been set aside for conservation for decades. By allowing commercial farmers here, the rights of Rhode Island recreation and nature buffs who have used this area for years will be usurped. The farmers should find an area that is not reserved for all Rhode Island residents.

Russell and Mary Dexter

Tiverton