Authorizes a property owner to pursue reasonable actions to protect their property from coastal hazards that affect life, infrastructure, or essential land uses without prior approval.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would allow Rhode Island property owners to take protective actions against coastal hazards — such as erosion, flooding, or storm damage — without needing to get prior approval from the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), which is the state agency that normally oversees activities along Rhode Island's coastline. Currently, property owners generally must apply for and receive permits before making changes or improvements along coastal areas. This bill would create an exception to that process when a property owner believes their life, infrastructure (like a home or building), or essential land uses are at risk.

The bill primarily affects homeowners, businesses, and other property owners whose land sits along Rhode Island's coast. Under this change, they could act quickly — for example, by placing sandbags, building temporary barriers, or taking other protective measures — without waiting for the standard regulatory review process. This could be particularly significant during storm seasons or periods of rapid shoreline change, when waiting for permits might mean property gets damaged before protection can legally be put in place.

It is worth noting that while the bill gives property owners more flexibility to act independently, it also raises questions about oversight and environmental protection. The CRMC's permitting process exists in part to ensure that coastal protection efforts don't unintentionally harm neighboring properties, wildlife habitats, or the broader shoreline. The bill has been referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee, where it is scheduled for further review and discussion.