Legislation aimed at protecting Johnson’s Pond in Coventry heads to Gov. McKee’s desk

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A measure primarily aimed to protect Johnson’s Pond in Coventry has been approved by the General Assembly.

The bill would require any dam operator or owner in the state with a storage capacity of more than 1,400 storage acre feet of water to obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Management to raise or lower the water levels.

Bill sponsor Sen. Lou Raptakis said he authored the legislation after he said the owner of Johnson’s Pond drained the water level of the pond that have a negative impact for residents in the area.

“Soscia Holdings is behaving like environmental terrorists, taking drastic actions to manipulate water levels as a means of punishing residents who dare to complain about the company’s actions,” said Raptakis.

Johnson’s Pond Civic Association President Marc Lemoi praised the passage of the legislation.

“This bill will not only protect an important state water asset and its vibrant ecosystem, but it also will help mitigate against the egregious raising and lowering of the Pond based on no scientific evidence,” he said.

ABC 6 News has reached out to the attorney for Soscia Holdings and have not yet heard back.

The bill now goes to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk for his signature.