§ 42-1-1. Extension of boundaries into sea.
(a) The general assembly finds that the people of the state of Rhode Island have a fundamental
interest in the establishment of the full jurisdiction of this state over that area
which Congress has determined to be subject to this state's jurisdiction in the Submerged
Lands Act of 1953, 43 U.S.C. § 1301 et seq., and to extend jurisdiction as fully as is permitted under the Geneva Convention
on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone of 1958 and applicable precedents of
the United States Supreme Court.
(b) The boundary between this state and the state of New Yo
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§ 42-1-1. Extension of boundaries into sea.
(a) The general assembly finds that the people of the state of Rhode Island have a fundamental
interest in the establishment of the full jurisdiction of this state over that area
which Congress has determined to be subject to this state's jurisdiction in the Submerged
Lands Act of 1953, 43 U.S.C. § 1301 et seq., and to extend jurisdiction as fully as is permitted under the Geneva Convention
on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone of 1958 and applicable precedents of
the United States Supreme Court.
(b) The boundary between this state and the state of New York is established by agreement
between the two states and ratified by the Congress in chapter 362 of Public Law 399,
approved July 1, 1944.
(c) The territorial waters of this state and the submerged lands thereunder enuring to
this state extend seaward three (3) geographical miles (5,556 meters) from the shoreline
at the mean low water mark or from any base line farther out permitted by law, without
prejudice to existing state jurisdiction up to the mean high water mark.
(d) The waters of Narragansett Bay are bounded on the south by a base line or closing
line extending from the mean low water mark at the southernmost point at Point Judith
to the mean low water mark at the southernmost point on the southernmost island in
the West Island group, south of Sakonnet Point. This closing line is equivalent to
the shoreline.
(e) Whenever the United States or a court of competent jurisdiction shall extend the breadth
of the territorial seas of this state to any greater distance, the above territorial
boundaries shall be deemed to extend to such distance.
(f) The boundary of counties bordering on the sea extends to the uttermost limit of the
state.