RI buys land on Pawcatuck for fishing, boat access

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island has purchased four acres of land along the Pawcatuck River in Westerly for eventual use as a boat access and fishing site.

The Department of Environmental Management announced the $200,000 land transaction Thursday. Agency director Janet Coit says the purchase will make several miles of the river accessible to recreational boaters.

The property is located on Post Office Lane in Westerly and features more than 500 feet of river frontage. The state intends to use federal funds to demolish structures on the site and build a parking area.

The Pawcatuck flows through forest, farmland and villages in the state's southwest corner. The state says the river supports fish species including wild and stocked trout, shad and river herring.