Recent coverage of the Sapowet Cove controversy misses the fundamental issue: This is public water for public recreation. The Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area was established as a sanctuary for outdoor recreation with federal and state tax dollars. It must remain that way.

The law passed to protect Sapowet Cove grew from overwhelming community objections to the Bowens’ oyster farm application. It blocks their farm, and any similar ones in the future. The Tiverton Town Council, Harbor and Conservation commissions opposed the operation’s location, as did the many individuals who swim, paddle, and fish these waters. Dozens of “Save Seapowet” lawn signs went up across town.

The General Assembly intervened because the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) was failing to protect these waters. Seeing a biased agency, the community needed the legislature to create the buffer zone shielding Sapowet’s public waters from commercial exploitation. NOAA’s five-year review of CRMC found that the same employee who promotes aquaculture also reviews aquaculture permits — an apparent conflict of interest.

The Bowens feel entitled to a commercial operation because they bought a $100,000 sliver of residential waterfront for shore access — a use that may conflict with Tiverton and CRMC zoning and buffer-zone rules. How much of the public's water is it fair for two people to claim for themselves, simply because they bought a strip of shoreline?

Public recreation and commercial development cannot coexist in this fragile cove, and the aquaculture industry does not support this ill-sited location. The law is the people of Rhode Island speaking. A hearing officer has ruled the application may proceed, but CRMC is thumbing its nose at the General Assembly. It's time for the agency to honor lawmakers’ clear intent and protect Sapowet Cove for all.

Barbara Milotte

Glenn Melanson

Tiverton