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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM PRESERVES 69 ACRES OF FORESTLAND ABUTTING BIG RIVER MANAGEMENT AREA IN WEST GREENWICH PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces the permanent protection of 69 acres of forestland in West Greenwich with the purchase of a conservation easement through the Forest Legacy Program.The property, located on New London Turnpike, is owned by Marie and Ernest Bugnet, who have managed the land as an active tree farm since 1970. Mr. Bugnet utilizes forest products from the land in his custom wood milling business, demonstrating his long-term commitment to good forest management. The parcel, which abuts the Big River wildlife management area, has been used by the RI Forest Conservators as part of its wood demonstration project. Public access to the parcel will be allowed for forest management educational programs. In addition to enhancing the forest resource values already associated with the Big River wildlife management area, the conservation easement will help protect the local public drinking water supply and retain the character of the rural road. The property also has historic value with its circa 1760 homestead known locally as the Harrington House. The Bugnets will manage the property to protect the important resource values that forested lands provide, such as protection of water resources, fish and wildlife habitat, and scientific and educational opportunities, guided by a written forest management plan approved by DEM's Division of Forest Environment. DEM acquired the conservation easement with a $591,000 grant from the US Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program and $9,000 in state open space bond funds. In addition, the Bugnets donated a portion of the value of the easement. The goal of the state's Forest Legacy Program, which is administered by DEM's Division of Forest Environment, is to promote and protect traditional forest values and uses by preventing the conversion of forestland to non-forest uses. According to Division Chief Cathy Sparks, managed forests face the same development pressures as agricultural lands and are of vital significance for green space and wildlife habitats, and also to the economy. The most common threats to managed forests are from direct development or through fragmentation of ownership of large forested parcels into smaller parcels, reducing the likelihood of proper forest stewardship. More than half the state is considered significantly fragmented forestland, primarily in the form of small privately owned parcels. To date, Rhode Island has been granted over $4 million in forest legacy funds to preserve nearly 2,000 acres of important forestland, keeping it from conversion to non-forest uses. -30- |
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