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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: September 27, 2006
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM COMMUNITIES, NON-PROFIT ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES, AND LAND TRUSTS FOR OPEN SPACE GRANTS

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that it is now accepting applications from municipalities, non-profit environmental agencies, and land trusts for natural heritage preservation open space grants. A total of up to $5 million is available during this round of the grant program.

Funding comes from the $70 million Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond, proposed by Governor Carcieri and approved by voters in 2004, supplemented by remaining funds form the 2000 Open Space bond.

The grants will provide up to 50 percent of funding, up to a maximum of $400,000, to preserve open space lands that possesses significant natural, ecological, agricultural or scenic values, by direct purchase or conservation easements.

Applications will be accepted through November 3. They will be reviewed and ranked by the Natural Heritage Preservation Commission, through the Governor's Advisory Council. The Commission will then recommend awards to DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan for review and approval. DEM expects to announce the grant awards in December.

Grant applications, specific rules governing the grant program, and additional information is available from Joseph Dias at DEM's Division of Planning and Development at 222-2776 ext. 4301, or via e-mail at joe.dias@dem.ri.gov. Information and downloadable applications are also available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Topics", then "Grants", then "Open Space Grants".

Under the last round of grants for natural heritage open space preservation, issued in 2004, 21 projects across the state were funded. More than 2,000 acres of land were acquired and protected, bolstering the state's broad campaign to enhance the quality of life for Rhode Islanders by preserving the state's most critical open space resources.

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