2015 -- S 0850

========

LC002476

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE AGRICULTURE LANDS PRESERVATION COMMISSION'S

CONSERVATION OF ITS 100TH FARM AND ITS DEDICATED EFFORTS TO ENSURE

AGRICULTURAL LANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: April 15, 2015

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, In 1981, the Rhode Island General Assembly recognized that land suitable

for food production in the state had become an extremely scarce and valuable resource; and

     WHEREAS, The amount of good farmland had declined so dramatically that unless a

comprehensive program was initiated by the state to preserve what remained, it would be lost

forever; and

     WHEREAS, It was and constantly is in the best interest of the people that the state

identifies and acquires the development rights to the remaining land, most endangered by

development, so as to maintain farming, productive open spaces, and ground water recharge

areas; and

     WHEREAS, Productive farmland within our state was, and continues to be, converted to

other uses because its development value far exceeds its value for agricultural purposes; and

     WHEREAS, Agriculture is an important part of the state's economy, environment, and

quality of life; and local food production has become increasingly important to the people of this

state; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, agricultural preservation allows more orderly development, and

permits our cities and towns to plan for and provide services more adequately and at a lower cost;

and

     WHEREAS, Resultantly, in 1981, the General Assembly established an Agricultural

Lands Preservation Commission to conduct the inventory and acquisition of development rights

to farmland in this state which has worked diligently to accomplish its mission; now, therefore be

it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby commemorates on April 16th of 2015, the Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission's

preservation of its 100th farm, which is the 40.5 acre Lial Acres Farm in Warren. We furthermore

celebrate the preservation of a total of 7,000 acres of farmland within our state, with a sum of

$100.6 million in land value, while leveraging $53 million in partner funding from the federal

government, as well as local land trusts, nonprofits, and municipalities; and be it further

     RESOLVED That this Senate hereby recognizes and applauds the concerted efforts of

Rhode Island's dedicated farming families like the Lials, as well as the dedicated staff, generous

funding partners, the commission’s volunteer members, and our state's citizenry who have

supported land preservation efforts statewide, and the Agricultural Lands Preservation

Commission's efforts to continue its mission of permanently protecting the state’s farmland to

ensure this important and valuable state asset remains available for agriculture for future

generations of farmers and the citizens of this state to use and enjoy; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Chairperson of the Agricultural Lands

Preservation Commission and the Lial Family.

========

LC002476

========

LC002476 - Page 2 of 2