COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) — State lawmakers are standing firm in their commitment to support Coventry residents living along Johnson’s Pond.

Sen. Leonidas Raptakis and Rep. Thomas Noret have introduced legislation that would protect residents’ use of the pond for recreational purposes.

This comes less than a month after Soscia Holdings, which owns the pond’s water flow rights and dam, announced it would not be renewing its lease with the town. The lease between the town and Soscia Holdings, which expires on March 31, allows residents to use the pond recreationally.

Soscia has requested the town ensure the pond is “free from any and all moorings, docks, boat lifts, boats, personal watercraft and other apparatus or structures” prior to the lease’s expiration date. If the town doesn’t comply, Soscia said it will “seek all available legal remedies.”

The proposed legislation would allow homeowners whose property extends past the water line to use the pond freely without Soscia Holdings’ permission. It would also let homeowners alter, repair, modify or replace their existing docks with the approval of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

“This legislation will protect property owners around Johnson’s Pond and could protect other property owners in the state, as well,” Raptakis said. “It’s unfortunate that the situation requires legislative action, but the outrageous moves made by Soscia Holdings to bar the public and property owners from utilizing Johnson’s Pond demanded an equally appropriate response.”

This is not the first time Soscia Holdings has demanded the town remove residents’ docks from the water. Soscia Holdings accused the town last year of defaulting on their lease agreement by allowing residents to build “illegal structures” on the pond.

“Johnson’s Pond has been a beloved asset of the people of Coventry for many, many years and the recent uncertainty and controversy over its continued use is unacceptable,” Noret said. “I had hoped it would not come to this, but this bill is absolutely necessary to protect the rights of property owners around Johnson’s Pond who have enjoyed the natural beauty of the pond from their property.”

Soscia Holdings tells 12 News in a statement that it “stands firm against any attempt at coercion through targeted legislation.”

“We firmly denounce any unconstitutional targeted legislation aimed at infringing upon our rights and freedoms,” the statement reads. “We remain committed to opposing and challenging any such measures through legal means.”

Raptakis noted that the Rhode Island Superior Court recently ruled against Soscia Holdings in a lawsuit filed against the town. The lawsuit accused Coventry of violating the lease’s insurance requirements and demanded the town halt residents’ recreational use of the pond.

The ruling states that the evidence Soscia Holdings presented “does not establish any imminent present harm for which no remedy exists.”

The pond’s water flow rights and dam were sold to Soscia Holdings in 2020 by Quidnick Reservoir Company, a private corporation. Since then, Soscia Holdings and the town have been in and out of court disputing water levels and maintenance of the pond’s dam.

Soscia Holdings is currently suing the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) over a state law that requires dam owners to get a permit before raising or lowering the water levels.

The law, signed by Gov. Dan McKee nearly two years ago , was first introduced after residents’ expressed concerns over the pond’s low water levels and how it was impacting wildlife .

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