General Information:
Clean
Ocean Access (COA) is an Environmental group
concerned with safety, cleanliness and open access of the ocean and
coastlines with a primary focus on the ocean shoreline of Aquidneck Island,
Rhode Island. The group formed in 2006
and represents a general interest of the surfing community to work towards
preserving the environment of today, for tomorrow and future generations to
allow us to continue to enjoy ocean activities.
Clean Water Program:
Clean Ocean Access started testing the
water quality in Newport and Middletown in the fall of 2006 as part of a long
term goal of permanent clean water along the Aquidneck Island Shoreline. In
order to achieve this goal we need to change current policy decisions that
designate Rhode Island Beaches as 3-month summer beaches and closed the rest of
the time. So, our 2006 and 2007 program tested to bring public awareness to the
water pollution issues and also to show that people use the ocean all year
long for a wide variety of activities. Our 2008 Program is underway each week
in the Newport Harbor, Newport Beaches and the Rocky coastline of
Middletown. The goal of the current program is to establish baseline water
quality at seven popular swimming locations that are not considered “designated
swimming areas”.
Public Access Program:
Clean Water is only as good as access to
the coastline. Our Public Access program evolved from some specific issues in
2006 along the Cliff Walk during a time of construction. Since that time
the access issues has not been a problem, however this brought to our attention
that we need to get more involved to Protect, Preserve and Maintain the Public
Access points that provide us the ability to enjoy ocean activities. In
2007 we embarked on the goal of adopting two points in Newport and Middletown
and our Adopt a Right of way Program has successfully adopted Ruggles Avenue
Access Point in Newport and also the newly opened Tuckermans access point in
Middletown. We are currently working with local and state officials to organize
signage, expect to see our signs permanently installed by April 1st 2008. For
each access point we will conduct two inspections of the area per month
and complete a simple one page report. Each quarter we will issue a summary
report to the council of each community. At least two times per year we
will clean the access point and surrounding coastline.
Clean Coastlines Program:
Clean Water and Public Access are essential
for enjoying ocean activities but it is much better experience with a Clean Coastline.
Our Clean Coastline Program formed in 2006 and we have conducted 11 beach
cleanups from Little Compton to Jamestown including vast sections of the
Middletown and Newport Rocky shoreline from Third Beach to Brenton Point.
Cleanups provide a great opportunity for people get involved with their
community and our 2008 program features a green approach such that we plan to
recycle as much of the collected material as possible.
Community Outreach Program:
Our
Community Outreach Program is to share with the community the activities of
Clean Ocean Access and how they can get involved and take steps to protect our
most treasured resources on Aquidneck Island. It also brings public awareness
to local issues and provides an opportunity for people to get involved so that
we can all work together and preserve
the environment of today, for tomorrow and future generations to allow for
continued enjoyment of ocean activities.
Contact Information: