Who's in charge of maintaining RI's shoreline rights of way? Here's what we found.

Rhode Island has more than 200 public rights of way that provide access to the shoreline.

Some have benches, trash cans, signs, and even a few nearby parking spaces, making them almost like a small public park. Others consist of unmarked, but well-trodden paths that only locals, fishermen, and surfers know about.

And far too many are impossible to use because they're overgrown with vegetation, or blocked by neighboring property owners.

So who's in charge of maintaining these small strips of land?

Depending on where you live, it can be surprisingly difficult to find the answer. So The Providence Journal contacted each coastal community in the state to ask who — if anyone — is responsible for dealing with issues like litter, erosion, vandalism, and illegal encroachment.

Below, you'll find a town-by-town overview of who to call if you spot an issue at a public right of way. The responses varied widely, demonstrating that there's no consistent statewide standard in place.

Isn't the CRMC in charge?

While the Coastal Resources Management Council designates public rights of way, it's not obligated to maintain them. The agency's website states that municipalities are "strongly encouraged" to take on that role — but acknowledges that some rights of way aren't being maintained at all.

Through the "Adopt-An-Access" program, citizens and community groups can volunteer to be stewards of specific rights of way. The CRMC also hosts an annual cleanup in partnership with other organizations like Save the Bay, but doesn't have any dedicated staff who can monitor rights of way or pick up trash on a regular basis.

When it comes to encroachment, the CRMC "does investigate and resolve blockages in partnership with the Attorney General’s office," the agency's website states. Issues can be reported by sending an email with the subject line "ROW obstruction" to lfeldman@crmc.ri.gov or kcute@crmc.ri.gov, or calling 401-783-3370.

It's worth noting, however, that the CRMC has a tiny and overburdened staff that also deals with everything from private docks to aquaculture to offshore wind farms — so it's often worth contacting municipal officials, too.

Additionally, some communities, like Barrington, have town-designated shoreline access points in addition to CRMC-designated rights of way. Issues like encroachment or missing signage at those town access points would typically addressed by the municipality, not the CRMC.

Barrington rights of way

Harbormaster Brian S. Hunt said that he is the point of contact for most issues. Overgrowth and cleanups are handled by the Department of Public Works, he said, and volunteer groups assist several times a year.

Bristol rights of way

Harbormaster Gregg Marsili said that he oversees rights of way in Bristol and people can contact his office with any issues.

"Some of the 43 ROW’s in Bristol are maintained by a landscape contract, neighborhoods that have adopted them, Bristol Public Works Department, and by my crew throughout the spring and fall," he wrote in an email. "We do semiannual checks on each ROW and identify both short- and long-term projects. Currently we have several projects in various stages of planning and permitting to tackle some access issues and water quality issues."

Charlestown rights of way

Town administrator Jeff Allen said that people can always feel free to contact his office if they have concerns. "I will then review what the issue is and see if we can assist in any way," he wrote in an email.

As far as maintenance is concerned, the town sponsors an annual roadway clean-up effort "which could include picking up debris anywhere to include the beach areas," Allen wrote. "In addition, the town agreed to team up with Save the Bay to clean up Charlestown Town Beach and surrounding area."

Cranston rights of way

"If there is an issue with a city’s right of way access, or environmental issues, people should contact the Cranston Department of Public Works," city spokesman Zack DeLuca wrote in an email. "For issues involving private properties, such as encroachment by an abutter, they should contact the Office of the City Solicitor and the Cranston Building Inspections Department."

The city's parks and recreation department is responsible for picking up trash and mowing grass at public areas like Stillhouse Cove, DeLuca said. They also work closely with the non-profit Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association, "which does great work to help maintain this beloved part of our city."

East Greenwich rights of way

All shoreline access points are managed through the Community Services and Parks Department, said town manager Andrew Nota. Anyone with concerns or questions should contact the department's director, Andrew Wade, at awade@eastgreenwichri.com or 401-886-8626.

In some cases, the Department of Public Works and Planning Offices may also get involved, Nota added. He said that the town does annual maintenance on rights of way and is "moving forward with numerous improvements and future modifications to these areas" after many years of neglect.

East Providence rights of way

Spokeswoman Patricia Resende said that rights of way are typically maintained by the parks department, and issues with encroachment would be handled by the law department.

Jamestown rights of way

Jamestown is currently weighing whether to give its Conservation Commission oversight for rights of way.

"Encroachments can be reported to the Town Hall and depending on the issue, the work is assigned to the appropriate Town staff," Town Administrator Edward Mello wrote in an email. He said that the town maintains rights of way "in various degrees."

Little Compton rights of way

Town administrator Antonio (Tony) A. Teixeira said that people should contact the town clerk with concerns, so that they can be passed along for the Town Council to address at a public meeting.

The main issue with maintenance is trash, "or worse," he said: "We rely on reports from citizens, then dispatch maintenance personnel to fix."

Middletown rights of way

People with concerns about signage or encroachment can contact the Department of Public Works at 401-846-2119 or rhanley@middletownri.com, according to public affairs officer Matthew Sheley. Work requests can also be made through the “Middletown Helps” online portal at https://mdl.town/Helps.

Middletown traditionally contracted with the nonprofit Clean Ocean Access to clear and maintain rights of way, but the organization was abruptly disbanded in January. Sheley said that the town is now in the process of figuring out a maintenance program for the current year.

"Over the past two months plus, we’ve had multiple internal discussions about how to clear and maintain the state rights of way to the water, an important responsibility to make sure everyone has access to the shoreline as outlined in state law," he wrote in an email. "This is a job we in Middletown take very seriously and if anyone has any questions, please contact the state Coastal Resources Management Council for clarification and assistance."

Narragansett rights of way

"If it is a public safety issue , the town will always respond but CRMC is the contact agency for shoreline ROWs," Town Manager James Tierney wrote in an email. He said that the town does not do any maintenance on rights of way, but occasionally, as a public service, "will pick up trash if it is reported and observed."

Though Tierney didn't mention it, it's worth noting that Narragansett also has a Coastal Access Improvement Committee that, among other things, seeks to address concerns about rights of way.

Newport rights of way

Any kind of obstruction or encroachment "can be reported directly to the city via our 311 ReportIt! system at www.CityofNewport.com/ReportIt or (401) 845-5840," Communications Officer Tom Shevlin wrote in an email. "From there, depending on the issue, the complaint would be assigned to either our Zoning Officer, Harbormaster’s Office, or Public Services team for corrective action."

Shevlin noted that the city's Cliff Walk Commission is also "extremely active in maintaining access and monitoring for encroachments from nearby property owners and vegetation" when it comes to rights of way along the Cliff Walk.

Additionally, the Tree and Open Space Commission "take an active role in both park beautification and access" in areas that are not CRMC-designated rights of way, but do offer public access to the shoreline, such as King Park, Battery Park, and Storer Park.

More: Riding on last year's victory, these new bills would expand RI's shoreline access even more

New Shoreham rights of way

Town manager Maryanne Crawford said that people should contact her office about any issues. The town does maintain rights of way, she indicated in an email.

North Kingstown rights of way

People can reach out to the town's planning department with any questions or issues, according to Town Manager Ralph Mollis. That department works alongside the department of public works, the harbormaster, and the legal department to address issues if they fall within the town's jurisdiction — and, if not, can point people in the right direction

"We also have a Joint Commission of our Conservation Commission and Harbor Management Commission that studies and addresses ROW issues," Mollis wrote in an email.

The public works department " is responsible for maintenance of certain ROW areas," Mollis said. "They have also assisted other outside agencies or organizations with installing signage and assisting with maintenance."

Pawtucket rights of way

Pawtucket has one CRMC-designated right of way, which doesn't appear to be owned by the city, spokeswoman Grace Voll said. (Public rights of way aren't necessarily owned by the state or the town that they're located in, and can simply be a public easement over private land.)

"However, at city-owned waterfront access areas, our Department of Public Works is the best option for folks to reach out to," Voll wrote in an email. "For example, they do the maintenance at Festival Pier, which is an access point.

Portsmouth rights of way

"Depending on the issue, reports can be made to our Police Department, Public Works Department, or Harbor Commission," Town Manager Richard Rainier wrote in an email. "Generally, calls are made to Town Hall, and we assign the issue to the appropriate department."

The town's public works department maintains CRMC-designated rights of way and will collect trash as needed, Rainier said. Additionally, the Harbor Commission regularly assesses the rights of way "and issues a letter to CRMC once a year regarding any issues observed or suggested signage."

Providence rights of way

City spokesman Josh Estrella said that issues with signage or encroachment should be reported to the CRMC. Maintenance issues are handled by the Providence Parks Department.

South Kingstown rights of way

Harbormaster and Natural Resources Officer Michael J. Stach oversees rights of way and said that people can contact him about any issues.

Additionally, the parks department and highway department both perform regular maintenance on rights of way, he said.

Tiverton rights of way

Town administrator Christopher Cotta said that the town mostly does not maintain CRMC-designated access points, "and any disputes that arise in town are referred to CRMC."

"Tiverton does pick up trash at one access point on Nanaquacket Bridge, as it is heavily used by the public and it generates a lot of trash," he wrote in an email. "We have agreed to place a barrel there and we pick up on a regular basis."

Warren rights of way

Warren Harbormaster Ed Cabral said that residents can contact his office about any issues. The town is currently in the process of posting new signs and installing large granite markers at each of the town's 13 rights of way, he said. (That effort involves the Harbormaster's office, the Department of Public Works, and the Harbor Commission.)

Additionally, the Department of Public Works is "looking to create a maintenance schedule for the sites going forward," Cabral wrote in an email.

Warwick rights of way

"If it’s a city-owned property, our public works department maintains the right of way," city Spokeswoman Elizabeth Tufts wrote in an email. "If someone needed to report something, they should contact the public works department."

Westerly rights of way

Town Manager Shawn Lacey said that anyone can reach out to his office with issues about rights of way. The town handles maintenance for rights of way, including trash removal, he wrote in an email.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI has over 200 public rights of way to the shore. Here's who maintains them.