R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-5-8

The director of environmental management shall, where there are two (2) or more applicants for permits for the same location or for locations that are less than three thousand feet (3,000′) apart, determine which applicant has continuously during the fishing season occupied the location for the longer period of years; and the applicant who shall establish a priority of location shall, if otherwise properly qualified, be entitled to receive a permit for the location.