Good Dirt

Last night, the Middletown Town Council unanimously approved putting a $2 million open space bond referendum before Middletown voters this fall.  The Aquidneck Land Trust applauds the Town Council for their continued leadership on land conservation matters at this critical time and for giving Middletown voters the right to decide what their future will be like.

Representatives from the Aquidneck Land Trust and the Middletown Open Space and Fields Committee had been meeting with the Town Council and Town Administrator to closely examine the data, case and need for an open space bond referendum in Middletown.  Then, at last night’s Council meeting, the Town Council considered further testimony for and against the proposed bond referendum before voting.  

Now is the time to act for land conservation in Middletown.

In the last few years, Aquidneck Island has lost hundreds of acres to development.  Furthermore, only about 20% of Aquidneck Island is conserved.

Many developers, including major national development corporations, continue to target Aquidneck Island because of the beauty and quality of life here.  For example, the Town of Middletown and the Aquidneck Land Trust recently competed against various developers, including one of America’s largest home building companies which has developed 500,000 new homes with operations in 26 states, for the 35.8-acre Boulevard Nurseries property on East Main Road.  Ironically, these developers often destroy that which attracted them here in the first place.

In 2004, the Aquidneck Land Trust conducted a comprehensive mapping and prioritization project that identified and scored 500 remaining and threatened open space parcels on Aquidneck Island according to a set of conservation criteria.  From that, a priority list of 100 parcels was created.  Of those parcels, only about 90 remain, including 31 properties in Middletown totaling about 630 acres.  The Town’s existing open space funds are not adequate to address this opportunity and challenge.  Passing an open space bond in fall 2008 will help provide some of the resources required to conserve some of those identified strategic parcels before time runs out.

Open space saves taxpayers money.

Numerous respected studies, including studies by the University of Rhode Island, have demonstrated that communities that conserve land make wise investments in future economic 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.  Subdivisions require schools, roads, police, water, rescue and fire department services, storm water management, etc.  Thus, current taxpayers end up subsidizing new subdivisions which bring increased traffic, crowded schools and the loss of a community’s character.

Open space makes a place more attractive to live, work and visit and there are substantial economic benefits associated with that.

There are many other important reasons to conserve open space.

1)      1.  Protecting local agriculture and fresh, safe farm products.

2)      2.  Preserving wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

3)      3.  Securing public recreational space and healthy fun outdoor opportunities.

4)      4.  Maintaining water resource areas and clean water.

5)      5.  Keeping scenic vistas and the charm and beauty of Middletown.

6)      6.  Maintaining clean air by conserving carbon sinks, like forests, and limiting vehicle traffic.

For the above reasons and others, such as the fact that Middletown residents have consistently demonstrated that they believe land conservation is important to the long-term well being of their town, the Town Council wisely approved putting a $2 million open space bond referendum before Middletown voters in fall 2008.  Middletown’s leadership on land conservation matters continues to benefit Middletown residents and all who love Aquidneck Island. 

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 1,971.67 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 jpohl@ailt.org.