Tlrie area is primarily a summer resort area,, The permanent popula- 

 tion is centered principally in the villages of Narra-r^ansett Pier, 

 V/akefield, and~ Y/esterly„ Summer colonies are scattered throughout the 

 shore area and the influx of summer residents greatly increases the 

 population of the area. Good highways connect the area with population 

 centers in northern PJhode Island and adjacent States „ 



Except for the rocky shores between Narragansett Pier and Point 

 Judith, almost the entire shore area has sandy beacheso The more 

 accessible beaches are developed for recreational use. Public recreation- 

 al beaches are owned and operated by the State and towns o Some private 

 beaches are also open to the public at a reasonable feeo 



The purpose of the Bsach. Erosion Board's study was to determine the 

 best methods of (a) restoring and protecting the shore lines against 

 damage from storms and hurricanes, and (b) maintaining openings into 

 certain salt water ponds „ The Baard reviewed the geological history of 

 the area and studied the tides, currents, winds, and wave action, 

 effects of storms on the shore, movement of beach material, effects of 

 existing structures and changes in the shore line and offshore depth 

 contours, and pursuant to statutory requirements, analyzed the public 

 interest involved in protecting and improving the publicly ovmed beaches „ 



The Board found that protection of the entire length of the shore 

 line under study is neither practicable nor essential. The Board also 

 found that openings v/ithin the area covered that require consideration 

 of continued maintenance are Narrov/ River (inlet to Pettaquamscutt 

 River), Charlestown Inlet, Quonochontaug Inlet, and ?feekapaug Breachway 

 (inlet to iVinnapaug Pond), The Board concluded that the best method 

 of accomplishing the objectives of the study comprise the following; 

 For the inlets named above, maintenance by periodic removal of maternal 

 as required; for the Narragansett 'Pier beach, widening of the beach by 

 direct placement of sand and construction of groin system and a 

 barrier to landward sand movement; for Point Judith Harbor, widening of 

 the beach by direct placement of sand, providing a barrier to landward 

 sand movement and, if experience indicates the necessity thereof, pro- 

 viding a groin system as deferred construction; for Jerusalem, pro- 

 vision of a barrier to landward sand movement; for the beach east of 

 Matunuck Point, artificial replenishment of the beach and construction 

 of a groin system and dunes; for Matunuck Point, grading and revetting 

 the slope; for Misquaraicut and East Ifeaches, stockpiling of sand on 

 East ^ach and providing a barrier to landward sand movement; for 

 Napa tree iteach, widening the beach by direct placement of sand, pro- 

 viding a barrier to landward sand movement and, if later found 

 necessary, a groin system as deferred constn:ction. The Board further 

 concluded that the public interest justifies adoption of a Federal 

 project for improvement and protection of the Narragansett Pier, 

 Point Judith Harbor, and Napatree Beaches « 



The Planning Board of the Town of Narragansett proposed a modifica- 

 tion of the plan for Narrangansett Piar beach providing for a jetty 

 at each end of the beach and a single groin about midway of the beach, 



4.2 



