Johnson's Pond Protection Stops 'Purposeful Flooding': Sen. Raptakis

COVENTRY, RI — Gov. Dan McKee on Friday signed a bill protecting Johnson's Pond from its water level being lowered by its dam owner.

The new law will require dam owners across Rhode Island to get permission from the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to raise or lower water levels. Violators would face a fine of $60,000 per day.

"Johnson's Pond is a vital asset and a tremendous resource for the community and for the hundreds of residents who live along the water, and they have been greatly impacted by water levels that have been either too high or too low," McKee said. "For the people living in this area, this legislation has been a long time coming."

State Sen. Loud Raptakis, who sponsored the bill, said the new law stops dam owner Soscia Holding LLC from intentionally flooding the Pawtuxet River and lowering the water levels in the pond. Residents did not approve of how owners were managing water levels and led to the Town Council calling on DEM to conduct an environmental study of the pond. Residents have argued parts of the pond have been drained to the point rocks and plant life were exposed. People also reported seeing dying fish and turtles.

"The Johnson's Pond Association, along with the town of Coventry, thank the General Assembly for passing this legislation aimed at protecting an important state water asset and its vibrant ecosystem," Raptakis said in a statement. "This legislation will help to mitigate against purposeful flooding of the Pawtuxet River which impacts at minimum five communities and approximately 240,000 residents and preserve access to Johnson's Pond for the 600 homeowners living on or in close proximity to the pond."

Soscia Holdings ownership told WPRI 12 the bill takes away their rights as owners.