This feature layer includes points for the 227 state-designated rights-of-way (ROW) to the shoreline. A public right-of-way (ROW) to the shore is a parcel of land over which the public has the right to pass on foot or, if appropriate, by vehicle, in order to access the tidal waters of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has the authority to designate public ROWs to the tidal waters of the state (R.I.G.L. 46-23.6). Like an easement, a public ROW relates to the public’s use, not the public’s ownership.

The points were hand digitized based on the property boundary information included in the official CRMC Designation decisions, which are also recorded in land evidence records.

The interactable web-layer, which includes photos of the sites and the official CRMC decision documentation can be accessed at: https://www.crmc.ri.gov/publicaccess.html