07-R409

2007 -- H 6546

Enacted 07/07/07

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING GOVERNOR DONALD CARCIERI TO PRESERVE CAMP PASTORE AND PURSUE THE SALE OF STATE LANDS TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPANDING THE JOHN H. CHAFEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Introduced By: Representatives Walsh, Ginaitt, Lewiss, Lally, and Shanley

Date Introduced: June 19, 2007

     WHEREAS, Since the 1980’s, Rhode Island has been issuing Bonds to fund land

acquisition to expand the state’s parks and management areas, and a priority of this program has

been to focus on acquiring properties that expand existing state parks and management areas; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals has proposed

the sale of a parcel of land known as Camp Pastore in the Town of Charlestown, that was

purchased by the State as part of Burlingame State Park; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has received a proposal from the United States

Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service to purchase seventy acres of state owned

land in the vicinity of the Oliver Stedman Government Building in South Kingstown at fair

market value in exchange for the State of Rhode Island preserving the Camp Pastore property by

incorporating Camp Pastore into Burlingame Management Area or issuing a conservation

easement to a conservation organization; and

     WHEREAS, The proposal from the U.S. Department of the Interior presents a unique and

one time opportunity to preserve seventy additional acres of open space in South Kingstown

while retaining ownership of fifty acres in Charlestown, and also generating income from the sale

of land to the U.S. Department of Interior exclusively for conservation purposes; now, therefore

be it

RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby affirms that the State of Rhode Island

should continue to strive to protect and preserve the state’s heritage and quality of life by

protecting open spaces with high natural resource and recreation values; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby finds that the State of Rhode Island

should not sell land acquired for State Parks and Management Areas to fund operating expenses;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby urges Governor Donald Carcieri to do

everything in his power to execute an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior to sell

to the U.S. Department of the Interior seventy acres of state owned land in the vicinity of the

Oliver Stedman Government Building in South Kingstown at fair market value for the purposes

of expanding the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the General Assembly hereby urges Governor Donald Carcieri to

incorporate Camp Pastore into the Burlingame Management Area or grant a qualified

conservation organization a conservation easement on the property in order to preserve the

property for future generations; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Governor Donald Carcieri.

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LC03379

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