Good Dirt

The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has worked closely with all three communities on Aquidneck Island to send a loud and clear message to the Governor and General Assembly: a $15 million open space bond referendum is important and should be put before Rhode Island voters in November.  The Town of Middletown unanimously passed a resolution in favor of the proposed open space bond referendum on January 7^th.  The City of Newport unanimously passed a similar resolution on January 9^th.  Finally, the Town of Portsmouth unanimously passed such a resolution on January 14^th.

The State of Rhode Island’s open space protection funds from the 2004 bond, which passed with over a 70% approval rating, are almost gone. 

In addition, Rhode Island’s precious remaining open spaces and natural resources are experiencing tremendous development pressures.  For example, in 2005 and 2006, Aquidneck Island lost over 360 acres to development.

Rhode Island open space protection funds help maintain the State’s desirability as a place to live, work and visit while also providing other advantages such as economic and environmental benefits.  For example, land conservation helps municipalities shape “smart growth” and limit expensive infrastructure and community services costs associated with sprawling development.  Studies show that it costs a municipality between $1.04 and $2.00 for every dollar of tax revenue to provide services to a typical subdivision.

State open space protection funds have also helped ALT and Aquidneck Island’s three communities complete important local conservation projects: Escobar’s Highland Farm on Middle Road in Portsmouth; Nunes Farm on Wyatt Road in Middletown; the Sunset Hill Preserve near Hillside Avenue in Newport; etc.

Louis P. DiPalma, member of the Middletown Town Council, stated, “The conservation, protection and preservation of open space are critical to preserving the quality of life the citizens of Rhode Island deserve.  Rhode Island voters have consistently supported these efforts in the past demonstrating the importance in their lives.  It is strenuously recommended that the Governor and General Assembly support this request and give the voters the opportunity to decide.”

"Working together with the ALT, Portsmouth has had great success leveraging our resources to preserve the quality of our community," said Leonard B. Katzman, member of the Portsmouth Town Council. "But, there is more to be done.  Open space preservation helps keep big boxes out and supports the kind of local economic development that is best for Portsmouth."

Kathryn E. Leonard, member of the Newport City Council, stated, “Now is the perfect time to buy land as the real estate market has slowed, and we also owe such efforts to conserve the beauty of our State to the generations to come.”

Ted Clement, ALT Executive Director, said, “We applaud Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth for joining with us to send this unanimous message about the importance of putting an open space bond referendum before Rhode Island voters this November.  It is our hope that others in the State will send similar messages and that the Governor and General Assembly will listen.”

ALT’s mission is to preserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community.  The organization has conserved 1,956.36 acres on Aquidneck Island.  ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  For more information about ALT, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.

As always, thank you for your continued support
for conservation on our Island.

This email update has been sent to the entire Aquidneck Land Trust email list. Please let us know if you do not wish to receive these email updates by replying to this message. If you have any questions or comments, please call 401/849-2799 x18 or email jpohl@ailt.org.