R 221 |
2015 -- S 0850 Enacted 04/16/2015 |
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 |
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. |
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LC002476 |
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