Avedisian
offers support of statewide open space bond
Encourages Warwick voters to approve the $70M initiative
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian today endorsed the state’s proposed
$70 million Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond, calling
it “one of the best investments the residents of Rhode Island can make
to protect and restore our natural resources.”
The proposal, which will appear on the November 2 ballot as Question 8, will allow the state to invest funds to preserve open space and farmland; reduce the pollutants from wastewater plants, septic systems and stormwater that make their way into Narragansett and Greenwich bays; improve facilities at public parks, beaches and passive recreational facilities, Avedisian said.
“During the past five years, my administration has made protection of open space and restoration of our natural resources one of our top priorities,” Avedisian said. “These efforts do not come without a considerable investment of money, however. Approval of this bond will allow the state of Rhode Island to provide critical financial assistance to the City of Warwick and municipalities throughout the state as we continue the conservation of our farms and undeveloped land and the restoration of our waterbodies.
“The residents of the City of Warwick have always understood the importance of environmental preservation and restoration efforts,” Avedisian continued. “They have generously approved bond proposals in the past. I would encourage all of our citizens to vote “yes” on Question 8.”
According to the state Department of Environmental Management, funds will be allocated as follows:
• $25 million for open space protection, leveraged with donations and federal grants, will allow a total investment of $65 million to protect shorelines, natural and scenic areas, farm and open space and drinking water supplies; $10 million will be available as grants to communities and land trusts;
• $18 million for state and local recreation development, along with matching funds, will total $29 million for investments in parks, playgrounds, ballfields, trails, greenway links and facilities such as Roger Williams Park and Zoo, historic Fort Adams and other locations;
• $10.5 million for Wastewater Improvement Loans to finance a revolving loan fund, allowing the state to leverage nearly $30 million to implement tougher nutrient removal and water quality projects at treatment facilities;
• $8.5 million invested in Clean Water Grants will leverage $17 million to invest in pollutant mitigation measures, making Rhode Island’s waters fishable and swimmable;
• $8.5 million in Drinking Water Protection will allow the Rhode Island Water Resources Board to permanently protect groundwater and public drinking supplies.
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