2021 -- H 6318

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LC002797

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON CHANGES TO THE

PARKING AREAS UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF THE DEM

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, Carson, Tanzi, Fogarty, Shallcross Smith,
McEntee, McGaw, and Cassar

     Date Introduced: May 07, 2021

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     WHEREAS, That Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is

responsible for the control, custody, governance, and use of state Management Areas, State Parks,

and other areas operated and maintained by the Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and

Recreation, and Forest Environment within the Department of Environmental Management; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island State Parks & Recreation is a division of the Rhode Island

Department of Environmental Managements (DEM) Bureau of Natural Resources. The Bureau

protects, manages, restores, and promotes the state’s wide array of historic parks, beaches,

recreational facilities, and green spaces; and

     WHEREAS, Usage of these areas include myriad recreational opportunities and also

impacts the state’s economy and ability to attract people and businesses. Currently, Rhode

Island's parks contribute an estimated $312 million of economic output and supports over 3,700

jobs; and

     WHEREAS, On March 2, 2021, RI voters approved a $33 million bond to "be invested in

cleaning our water, improving public health and the resilience of our communities, and creating

more inviting beaches, parks and campgrounds for the enjoyment of all Rhode Islanders"; and

     WHEREAS, Currently, part of that bond is being expended to make changes to park

capacity, access points, traffic flow patterns, and to revamp a number of parking area locations

under the supervision of DEM, ultimately resulting in a reduction in the available number of

parking spaces. These changes are reportedly being taken for the safety of all visitors and staff;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

respectfully requests the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to submit a

report on changes to the parking areas under the governance of the DEM including:

     • The current number of available parking spaces at each location;

     • Parking areas to be revamped;

     • Estimated number of parking spaces lost or gained at each area; and

     • The cost for the parking changes at each location; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby respectfully requests the Director of DEM to

provide this report on or before June 1, 2021: 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 Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, and Janet L. Coit, DEM Director.

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LC002797

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