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3/26/2024
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Sen. Raptakis and Reps. Serpa and Noret issue statement on Johnson’s Pond case dismissal
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STATE HOUSE – Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich), Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry) and Rep. Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick) are issuing the following statement concerning yesterday’s dismissal of a federal lawsuit (Case 1:22-cv-00266-LM-AKJ) brought against the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) by Soscia Holdings, the owners of Johnson’s Pond in Coventry.
Senator Raptakis also notes that Soscia Holdings, LLC recently lost a Rhode Island Superior Court decision (C.A. No. KC-2020-0769) in which Soscia Holdings, LLC sued the Town of Coventry over insurance requirements in the pond lease and to halt all recreational use of Johnson’s Pond. Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Brian Van Couyghen ruled against Soscia Holdings.
The lawsuit dismissed yesterday related to a law passed in 2022 requiring that any person operating or owning a dam with a storage capacity greater than 1,400 normal storage acre feet of water to obtain a permit from DEM to raise or lower the water level behind the dam. At the time, Senator Raptakis said this was not only a matter of residential property rights but a major environmental concern that he believes DEM should properly investigate.
“This case dismissal is a significant win for residents and property owners on our state’s ponds and lakes. Purposely lowering the water levels to unusable levels is concerning and has a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment, as well. With that being said, there are still several unresolved issues relating to the continued public use of these bodies of water that need to be addressed and we will continue to fight for the rights of property owners and residents,” said Senator Raptakis and Representatives Serpa and Noret.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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