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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 26, 2004
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

GOVERNOR CARCIERI ANNOUNCES $3.8 MILLION IN OPEN SPACE GRANTS*
(*A detailed list of the individual grants is attached.)

PROVIDENCE - Governor Donald Carcieri and Department of Environmental Management Acting Director Frederick Vincent today announced the awarding of 15 grants totaling $3.86 million to communities and land trusts that will protect 1,541 acres of open space and farmland throughout the state. A number of state and municipal officials and representatives of land trusts and non-profit organizations attended the announcement at Mawney-Hopkins Farm in East Greenwich, one of the properties that will be protected through a $300,000 grant award.

"I've always said that Rhode Island's natural beauty is one of its greatest assets," Governor Carcieri said. "We are truly blessed to live in a state where we can walk to a nearby park and drive just a short distance to go to the beach, a farm, or a scenic open space. We want future generations to have the opportunity to explore our state's natural heritage.

"These grants will enable us to protect more than 1,500 acres of open space and farmland throughout Rhode Island," Carcieri continued. "They represent another step in our efforts to preserve the quality of life that makes Rhode Island such a terrific place to live and work."

"But we must continue the work we've begun. The $70 million bond for open space and Narragansett Bay will help us do that. I urge all Rhode Islanders to vote YES on Question 8," Governor Carcieri concluded.

Of the total grants awarded, more than $3.3 million is state funding and represents the last round of grants from the 2000 Open Space Bond issue. The additional funds are being provided by the federal National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund. The state grants will be matched by local bond funds and federal grants to generate over $16.3 million in land preservation throughout Rhode Island.

The awards will protect such diverse and important resources as a 15-acre tract along Bailey Brook in Middletown, adding to land already protected in the Kempenaar Valley; 170 acres of forested land in Exeter straddling the Queen's River, which is considered one of the most pristine rivers in southern New England; and 23 acres of freshwater marsh and surrounding upland in Cumberland that provides important wildlife and rare species habitat. Many of the properties are located in or adjacent to planned greenways 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 15 highest scoring projects from a total of 36 project applications. DEM is administering the grants.

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1. WESTERLY LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 482 acres of forested land with over 2 miles of frontage on the Pawcatuck River, enhancing the scenic and recreational values of one of the state's pristine river systems.
Property Value: $2,750,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Harvey Perry Telephone: 348-1269

2. AQUIDNECK LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire a conservation easement on a 15.06 acre parcel along Bailey Brook, adding to land already protected in the Kempenaar Valley. Bailey Brook is the primary source of water to Green End Pond, part of the Newport water supply system.
Property Value: $295,000 Open Space Grant: $120,000
Contact Person: Ted Clement Telephone: 849-2799

3. LITTLE COMPTON AGRICULTURAL CONSERVANCY TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 11.5 acres along the immediate south shore of Little Compton, and insure the water quality of Tunipus Pond, an important waterfowl and fish-spawning habitat.
Property Value: $1,7000,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: George Mason Telephone: 274-4400 ext. 2345

4. TOWN OF EXETER: The town will acquire fee title to 170 acres straddling the Queen's River, one of the most pristine rivers in southern New England. The river supports several globally rare dragonflies and other rare aquatic species.
Property Value: $1,220,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: David Schweid Telephone: 294-2612

5. SOUTH KINSTOWN LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 66.7 acres of forested land in South Kingstown and Exeter, extending protection of the shoreline of Yawgoo Pond, which is one of the least developed water bodies in the state and habitat for several rare species.
Property Value: $1,100,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Joanne Riccitelli Telephone: 789-0962

6. TOWN OF SCITUATE: The town will acquire development rights to 100 acres of forested land, adding to land already protected as part of the Scituate Reservoir, the principal source of water for Providence and other communities in northern Rhode Island.
Property Value: $800,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Chris Modisette Telephone: 647-5526

7. CUMBERLAND LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 23.5 acres of valuable freshwater marsh and surrounding upland, protecting important wildlife and rare species habitat and the water quality of a tributary of the Pawtucket Water Supply system.
Property Value: $140,000 Open Space Grant: $70,000
Contact Person: Karen Saucier Telephone: 333-3858

8. WEST GREENWICH LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 98 acres of land in the Queen's River watershed. The river is considered one of the most pristine rivers in southern New England, and supports several rare aquatic species.
Property Value: $865,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Diana Rotelli Telephone: 397-9758

9. TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN: The town will acquire development rights to 70.83 acres of land in the Narrow River Watershed. The Narrow River is considered one of the most unique estuaries in southern New England.
Property Value: $855,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Marilyn Cohen Telephone: 294-3331 ext. 311

10. THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: The Conservancy will acquire development rights to 235 acres of well-developed forested land in Tiverton that includes a portion of the headwaters of Adamsville Brook. The property extends east from Weetamoo Woods, which has been a major focus of land protection activities in Tiverton.
Property Value: $1,175,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: John Berg Telephone: 331-7110 ext. 22

11. TOWN OF EAST GREENWICH: The town will acquire fee title to 47.42 acres of land on Tillinghast Road that includes a diversity of habitats including forest land, open fields, and stream floodplain. The property will provide passive recreational opportunities within a developing greenway in East Greenwich.
Property Value: $2,500,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: William Sequino, Jr. Telephone: 886-8665

12. SMITHFIELD LAND TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title and a conservation easement on 53 acres of mature forested land with some open fields and vernal pools in western Smithfield, adding to land already protected in the town.
Property Value: $543,000 Open Space Grant: $271,500
Contact Person: Jennifer Paquet Telephone: 392-3800 ext. 111

13. RICHMOND RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 143 acres in Richmond, adding to already protected property that supports a diverse wildlife community including several rare species.
Property Value: $1,146,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Denise Poyer Telephone: 539-9017

14. BARRINGTON LAND CONSERVATION TRUST: The trust will acquire fee title to 12 acres of forested land that includes several vernal pools, increasing the protection of Echo Lake, an important aquatic resource and migratory waterfowl area.
Property Value: $600,000 Open Space Grant: $300,000
Contact Person: Helen Tjader Telephone: 245-6209

15. TOWN OF CUMBERLAND: The town will acquire fee title to 13.04 acres of forested land, adding to land already protected within the watershed of the Pawtucket Water Supply system and enhancing the area's wildlife habitat.
Property Value: $630,000 Open Space Grant: $100,000
Contact Person: Katia Balassiano Telephone: 728-2400 ext. 42

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