For Release: May 23, 1997

Contact: Robert Sutton 277-2776

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management, on behalf of the State's Agricultural Land Preservation Commission, is seeking applications for the Purchase of Farmland Development Rights Program. More than 2700 acres of farmland on 32 Rhode Island farms have been preserved through the program since its inception in the mid-eighties.

"The program has been very helpful to landowners who want to preserve their farmland. It takes away the economic pressure to sell off land for development, which has happened so often in Rhode Island where all farmland is within commuting distance of metropolitan areas," said Robert Sutton, Chief of DEM's Division of Planning and Development. "Rhode Islanders have always been supportive of farmland preservation, and approved the bond referendum for this latest round of applications last fall."

When an owner sells farmland development rights to the state, the land remains in private ownership but must remain open and suitable for agricultural uses.

Any land in Rhode Island of five or more contiguous acres that is suitable for agriculture is eligible. Primary criteria used to evaluate the land are soil quality, development pressure, and agricultural economic importance. Other evaluation criteria may include protection of watersheds or groundwater recharge areas, preservation of open space and aesthetic values, soil management, and cost.

For information or an application, contact Kenneth Ayars at DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing, 277-2781 ext. 4508. DEM is requesting that applications for this grant round be returned by June 15.