One of Rhode Island’s top tourism executives is calling for it to be opened to the public “in an environmentally responsible manner.
RI DEM however says it poses a public health risk.
Call to Open for Tourism
“I live in Jamestown and see [Dutch Island] every day,” said Evan Smith, CEO of Discover Newport. “I know there’s been great debate about what to do. There are some dangerous Navy relics there among other things I do know there have been multiple attempts to do something more accessible with that fabulous resource.”
“As a resident of Jamestown, an environmental explorer, and someone who always wears the tourism hat, I support opening it up for all three of those reasons,” said Smith. “And I support the same for Gould Island, which was a seaplane port. The north end was the torpedo testing. They’re magnificent resources.” Gould Island is located off the east coast of Jamestown.