Judge Dismisses Coventry Pond Owner's Lawsuit Over New State Law: Report

COVENTRY, RI — A lawsuit the owners of Johnson's Pond levied against the state over a recent law has reportedly been dismissed.

Soscia Holdings, who owns Johnson's Pond in Coventry, filed the lawsuit two years ago after the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) began enforcing a new law requiring dam owners to get permits before raising or lowering a pond's water level. According to WPRI 12, U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty dismissed the complaint the pond's owner filed.

The law was sparked by a dispute between Coventry residents and Soscia Holdings. 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.

Soscia Holdings ownership argued the bill takes away their rights as owners. But McCaffrey ruled Soscia Holdings did not "make any factual allegations" that the law was "unreasonable or unnecessary to protect an important public interest," WPRI 12 reported.

Owner Doug Soscia told WPRI 12 the company will appeal the court decision.

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