Rhode Island General Laws Title 37. Public Property and Works § 37-6-5. Power of department and agency heads to acquire property for public use

(a) Whenever in the opinion of the head of any department, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the state government, hereinafter referred to as the acquiring authority, the acquisition of land or other real property or any interest, estate, or right therein is necessary or advantageous to the establishment, acquisition, construction, development, betterment, or maintenance of any governmental facility, public work, or public improvement, the acquiring authority shall be and hereby is authorized and empowered, within the limits of the appropriations that are available or that shall be made available, with the approval of the state properties committee, and in the case of purchases by or gifts or devises to the state, subject to the approval of the governor, to take in fee simple or otherwise in the name and for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island, by purchase, lease, gift, or devise lands and other real property and rights, interests, estates, easements, and privileges therein, and foreshore, riparian, and littoral rights thereto for the public use within the state of Rhode Island.

(b) No acquiring authority shall relinquish riparian rights of Colt State Park or Poppasquash Road, Bristol to any entity for private use.