Bill giving DEM oversight over Coventry pond’s water levels advances

COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) — Lawmakers in two committees have passed legislation that would give the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) control over the water levels of dams statewide.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Lou Raptakis, would require dam owners across the state to get clearance from the DEM to raise or lower the water levels. It would also impose a $60,000 per day fine on dam owners who don’t obtain a permit from the DEM prior to altering the water levels.

The legislation was approved by the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee Wednesday and the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Thursday.

“Just because you have private property doesn’t mean you have unrestricted, unregulated use,” Rep. Jason Knight testified Thursday.

While the proposal applies to all dam owners in Rhode Island, it was sparked by an ongoing feud between the owners of Johnson’s Pond and the residents who live around it.

The Coventry pond has been a point of contention for residents since its dam and waterflow rights were purchased by Soscia Holdings, LLC two years ago. Since then, the owners and the town have been in and out of court disputing the water levels and maintenance of the pond’s dam.

“Soscia Holdings is behaving like environmental terrorists, taking drastic actions to manipulate water levels as a means of punishing residents who dare to complain about the company’s actions,” Raptakis said. “They’ve sought to limit residents’ access to the area by putting up gates, called the police to try to stop people from enjoying the pond, filed frivolous suits and even threatened to turn the pond into a solar panel farm.”

Residents have repeatedly expressed concern over the water levels on the pond, claiming that it had been drained to the point where the rocks and vegetation on the bottom were exposed. Homeowners also reported seeing dying fish and turtles, as well as the presence of toxic blue-green algae, according to Raptakis.

Full article can be found here: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/west-bay/bill-giving-dem-oversight-over-coventry-ponds-water-levels-advances/