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Open Space Supporters Praise Farsighted Proposal

Finance Committee Proposes $68 Million Bond Referendum for November

PROVIDENCE – 11 June 2004 – Advocates of conservation, clean water, recreation and farmland preservation are celebrating Rhode Island's House Finance Committee's proposal for a $68 million Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond referendum for this November's ballot.

"We look to our elected representatives for exactly this kind of farsighted leadership," said Janet Coit, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Rhode Island Chapter. "This public funding is an investment that will benefit Rhode Islanders for generations to come. Voters have enthusiastically supported open space, recreation, and clean water bonds in the past, and are sure to do the same this November."

"Chairman Costantino, Vice Chairman Malik, and the members of this committee clearly understand that open space protection benefits all Rhode Islanders by preserving the green, natural areas that safeguard our water and offer refuge to people and wildlife," Coit said. The House Finance Committee is chaired by Rep. Steven M. Costantino of Providence, and Rep. Jan P. Malik of Warren is its vice chairman.

As part of its deliberations on the budget, the committee today announced it will submit to the General Assembly a proposed referendum that includes:

$33 million for the state's open space protection programs to protect farmland, natural areas, greenways, state parks and groundwater for public drinking water supplies.
$18 million for state's recreation development programs for design, development, expansion and renovation of new or existing public recreation facilities and parks.
$17 million for Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration projects.
"This proves the House Finance Committee’s support for many dedicated volunteers within the land trust community who are working to protect special places throughout Rhode Island," said Rhode Island Land Trust Council President Ann-Marie Ignasher.

"This bond provides funding for parks and recreation to improve the quality of life in five distressed communities," said Bill Mulholland, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Pawcatuck and a member of Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association. The five distressed communities – Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, West Warwick, and Woonsocket – are home to over 33 percent of Rhode Island's population, including 75 percent of its minority population and 60 percent of residents at poverty level.

Grow Smart Rhode Island Executive Director Scott Wolf praised the House Finance Committee's aggressive stance on open space and recreation funding. "Maintaining Rhode Island's distinctiveness and quality of place is not just a good way to protect our environment, culture and history, but also a critical ingredient for effective economic development. Since Rhode Island sells itself on beauty, not brawn, we must be vigilant about ensuring that our state never becomes ‘Anywhere, USA.’"

"It was important that our legislators from around Rhode Island not only heard our message, but more importantly recognized and understood the ideas and value of making local investments in open space, recreation and park development," said Andy Nota, Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association President. "This longstanding partnership between the state and our local communities has proven to be a necessary component in allowing Rhode Island's cities and towns to preserve environmentally sensitive property, be creative in the development of new outdoor recreation sites, as well as revitalize those park areas that are once again needed in our local neighborhoods. The House Finance Committee should be applauded for utilizing this visionary approach to meeting Rhode Island's future open space and recreational needs."

After its approval by the General Assembly, the Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection referendum will be placed on the ballot this November. The measure must be approved by a majority of voters in order for the funding to become available. In 2000, the Open Space and Recreation Bond was approved by over 73 percent of the voters.

Funds from Rhode Island's last Open Space and Recreation Bond in 2000 are almost exhausted. Since 2000, the Department of Environmental Management's open space protection programs have provided funding toward protecting 87 properties and over 6,462 acres.

Since 1985, DEM's Farmland Preservation program has protected 58 farms with a total of 4,312 acres, including over 1,100 acres since the 2000 Open Space & Recreation Bond was passed. Agriculture contributes $100 million annually to Rhode Island's economy.

Approval of this bond in November will ensure continuous funding for open space protection since 1985, when the first Open Space Bond and Recreation was passed. Bond funds can help the state attract federal funds and foundation grants for land protection. State bond funds also provide a match for local government funding for open space protection. Historically, every $1 of state bond funding for open space is matched by more than $3 in additional funding towards open space protection.

The Rhode Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy was established in 1989 and has since grown to become the state's most successful non-profit land conservation agency. Working with many partners, the Conservancy has protected more than 23,000 acres of land throughout the state: from Block Island to the Pawcatuck Borderlands that span western Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut, to the Queens River and rural Glocester. With more than 5000 members and offices in Providence, Block Island and North Stonington, Connecticut, the Rhode Island Chapter continues to focus on protecting our most critical natural resources.

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