List of Grant Awards
Land Acquisition and Real Estate
Local Grants Program
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News Release
Office of the Governor
State House, Providence, RI 02903
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For Release: |
November 18, 2002 |
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Contact: |
Lisa Pelosi (401) 222-2080, (401) 745-0651 (pager)-
www.gov.state.ri.us
Gail Mastrati (DEM) (401) 222-4700 ext. 2402 |
ALMOND ANNOUNCES OPEN SPACE GRANTS
$5.7 Million in Grants Will Fund 19 Projects Across the State
Governor Lincoln Almond joined Department of Environmental Management Director Jan Reitsma today to announce the awarding of 19 grants totaling $5.7 million to communities and land trusts that will protect 1,945 acres of open space and farmland throughout the state.
"These open space projects underscore Rhode Islanders commitment to preserving our natural heritage," said Almond. "Municipalities and local land trusts continue to develop innovative land preservation projects. They also provide vital matching support. I commend them for their efforts, and thank them for helping me to preserve over 10,000 acres of open space and farm land during my administration."
Of the total grants awarded, $5 million is state funding from Almond's 2000 open space bond. The additional $787,450 is being provided by federal funds from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund. The state grants will be matched by local bond funds and federal grants to generate over $17 million in land preservation throughout Rhode Island.
The awards will keep 144 acres of farmland in active farming, and protect such diverse and important resources as a 95-acre tract of forested land abutting the Sneech Pond Reservoir in Cumberland; 160 acres of land in the upper portion of the Queen River watershed in West Greenwich and Exeter; and 23 acres of land along the Woonasquatucket River in Johnston, to insure protection of a valuable wetland habitat within a highly developed area. Many of the properties are located in or adjacent to planned greenways throughout the state.
"As development pressure mounts, it becomes increasingly critical to preserve land when we have the opportunity to do so," noted DEM Director Reitsma. "These 19 properties are unique and important to the character of their communities. The significant contributions provided by the many partners involved in these new acquisitions underscores the strong grass roots support for land protection that exists throughout the state."
Grant applications were evaluated and scored by the Governor's Advisory Committee on Natural Heritage. The Natural Heritage Preservation Commission then approved the 19 highest scoring projects from a recommended total of 43 project applications. DEM is administering the grants. A detailed list of grant recipients follows:
| 1. BLACKSTONE RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL: The Council will acquire fee title to 80 acres of land in Cumberland that is an important portion of the watershed of Long Brook. This brook is a tributary of the Diamond Hill Reservoir (Pawtucket Water Supply) and is habitat for the American Brook Lamprey, a fish found in Rhode Island only in this system. |
| Property Value: $1,500,000 |
Open Space Grant: $300,000 |
| Contact Person: Fred Presley, DEM |
Telephone: 222-4700 ext. 4417 |
| 2. TIVERTON LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title and easements to 636 acres in several parcels as additions to the Weetamoo Woods Conservation Area. This land constitutes the largest tract of forested land in Newport County and supports a high diversity of forest wildlife. |
| Property Value: $1,865,504 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Brian Janes, Chairperson |
Telephone: 624-7636 |
| 3. TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN: The town will acquire fee title to 55 acres of land adjacent to Bailey Brook, a tributary of the Easton's Pond Reservoir. Protection of this land also preserves a scenic vista within a highly developed part of town. |
| Property Value: $3,000,000 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Michael Embury, Town Administrator |
Telephone: 849-2898 |
| 4. TOWN OF CUMBERLAND: The town will acquire fee title to 95 acres of forested land abutting the Sneech Pond Reservoir. This acquisition builds on the large tracts of forested land already protected in the area and helps protect several uncommon plants and animals. |
| Property Value: $715,000 |
Open Space Grant: $357,500 |
| Contact Person: Ed Donnelly, Town Planner |
Telephone: 728-2400 ext. 43 |
| 5. CITY OF WARWICK: The city will acquire fee title to 13.5 acres of land along Old Forge Road. The property provides an important upland buffer along the south side of Greenwich Cove, and a valuable scenic resource along Narragansett Bay. |
| Property Value: $700,000 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Mark Carruolo, City Planner |
Telephone: 738-2000 ext. 6289 |
| 6. SOUTH KINGSTOWN LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 73 acres of land situated between Barber's and Yawgoo Ponds. This acquisition protects shorelines of the ponds, portions of the Chickasheen River that connects the ponds and other wetlands, including a shrub bog. |
| Property Value: $970,000 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Joanne Riccitelli, Director |
Telephone: 789-0962 |
| 7. TOWN OF EXETER: The town will acquire fee title to 38 acres of land along the Queen River. The acquisition builds on the land already protected along the high water quality river that provides habitat for a number of rare aquatic animals. |
| Property Value: $235,000 |
Open Space Grant: $130,000 |
| Contact Person: David Schweid, Town Planner |
Telephone: 294-2612 |
| 8. TOWN OF LINCOLN: The town will acquire fee title to 13 acres of land along the Moshassuck River. The acquisition abuts Lincoln Woods State Park, and builds on other lands already protected in this important historic district. |
| Property Value: $800,000 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Albert Rinaldi, Town Planner |
Telephone: 333-8433 |
| 9. WESTERLY LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 142 acres of land within the last undeveloped portion of the Charlestown recessional moraine. The property contains several kettle hole/vernal ponds, and protects the groundwater resource that feeds Winnapaug Pond to the south. |
| Property Value: $1,200,000 |
Open Space Grant: $300,000 |
| Contact Person: Harvey Perry, President |
Telephone: 348-1269 |
| 10. TOWN OF WARREN: The town will acquire a conservation easement to 49 acres of farmland and forest. The acquisition preserves the valuable scenic attributes of this undeveloped portion of eastern Rhode Island, and protects a portion of the watershed of the Kickimuit River. |
| Property Value: $660,000 |
Open Space Grant: $330,000 |
| Contact Person: Michael Abruzzi, Town Manager |
Telephone: 245-7554 |
| 11. TOWN OF WESTERLY: The town will acquire fee title to 1.5 acres of coastal dune property along the south shore of Winnapaug Pond. Restoration of the land will increase protection to the valuable shellfish and other aquatic resources of the coastal pond. |
| Property Value: $1,200,000 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Pamela Nolan, Town Manager |
Telephone: 348-2530 |
| 12. CITY OF CRANSTON: The city will acquire fee title to several parcels totaling more than 250 acres of forest and farmland. This acquisition, combined with other protected lands, will form a complex of important wetland, forest, and farmland habitats that supports diverse wildlife populations. |
| Property Value: $1,085,000 |
Open Space Grant: $387,500 |
| Contact Person: Kevin Flynn, Director of Planning |
Telephone: 461-1000 ext. 3136 |
| 13. THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: The Conservancy will acquire fee title to 160 acres of land in the upper portion of the Queen River watershed in West Greenwich and Exeter. The acquisition will build on already protected lands in this focus area of important rare species habitats. |
| Property Value: $800,000 |
Open Space Grant: $400,000 |
| Contact Person: Terrence Sullivan, Executive Director |
Telephone: 331-7110 |
| 14. FOSTER LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 44 acres of land within a projected complex of protected properties. The combined projects will protect a large forested habitat and the diverse assemblage of wildlife that it supports. |
| Property Value: $300,000 |
Open Space Grant: $150,000 |
| Contact Person: Suzanne Powell, President |
Telephone: 397-5510 |
| 15. TOWN OF BRISTOL: The town will acquire fee title to 6 acres of land abutting the Silver Creek Conservation Area. The acquisition protects valuable tidal marsh habitat and upland buffers. |
| Property Value: $522,000 |
Open Space Grant: $261,000 |
| Contact Person: Gerhard Oswald, Town Planner |
Telephone: 253-7000 |
| 16. TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN: The town will acquire development rights to 80 acres of farmland and forest. The acquisition preserves several small ponds and a portion of the watershed of the Chipuxet River. |
| Property Value: $800,000 |
Open Space Grant: $350,000 |
| Contact Person: Marilyn Cohen, Town Planner |
Telephone: 294-3331 |
| 17. AQUIDNECK ISLAND LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire development rights to 17 acres of farm and woodland in the town of Portsmouth. The acquisition builds on protected land at Glen Farm, and forms a piece of a planned greenway in the area. |
| Property Value: $351,577 |
Open Space Grant: $114,750 |
| Contact Person: Anne Garnett, Executive Director |
Telephone: 849-2799 ext. 14 |
| 18. AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND: The Society will acquire fee title to 75 acres of land in the town of Foster as an addition to land already protected in conjunction with the Foster Land Trust. The combined extensive forested tract provides important wildlife habitat. |
| Property Value: $300,000 |
Open Space Grant: $156,700 |
| Contact Person: Lee Schisler, Executive Director |
Telephone: 949-5454 |
| 19. TOWN OF JOHNSTON: The town will acquire fee title to 23 acres of land along the Woonasquatucket River. The acquisition will insure protection of a valuable wetland habitat within a highly developed area. |
| Property Value: $300,000 |
Open Space Grant: $150,000 |
| Contact Person: Jeanne Tracey-McAreavey, Town Planner |
Telephone: 553-8810 |
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