Rhode Island in June adopted an updated law permitting expanded public access to the shore.
The Rhode Island Association of Coastal Taxpayers filed a legal challenge, claiming the law illegally seizes private property without adequate compensation to landowners.
A federal court on Sept. 19 dismissed that lawsuit, preserving expanded public access to the state’s coastline.
On Sept. 25 a new legal challenge to the updated state law was filed by Westerly homeowners, claiming the new law conflicts with a 1982 state Supreme Court ruling. The complaint was filed in Washington County Superior Court.
