Introduced By: Representative G. Levesque
Date Introduced : June 30, 1998
WHEREAS, Property generally described as Fort Wetherill in the Town of Jamestown was deeded to the State of Rhode Island in 1984 by the National Park Service to be used "exclusively for public park or public recreation purposes in perpetuity"; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Environmental Management represented in its application to the National Park Service seeking the property that "the area would be basically utilized as it now exists with no new construction other than what might be found necessary for public safety"; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Environmental Management is planning to construct a two-story building, in close proximity to the shore, to accommodate at least 27 state employees, 39 parking spaces, as well as boats and other equipment; and
WHEREAS, The New England Department Council on America's Military Past has expressed concern about the proposal; and
WHEREAS, The Fort Wetherill Committee appointed by the Town Council of the Town of Jamestown has cited eight important issues requiring resolution before the Committee can begin to develop guidelines and in a communication to the Town Council has recommended that the Town reassess the plan and explore alternatives that would fit the concept of passive recreational use while preserving the historical nature of the site and further expressing reservations concerning the DEM plan; and
WHEREAS, The Dumplings Association, Inc., comprised of 42 property owners residing within close proximity to Fort Wetherill and all its roads of access, has communicated to the Department of the Interior their objection to the proposal; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that the Department of Environmental Management reassess the planned relocation of DEM employees to this site and explore alternatives to the planned construction of an office facility on a parcel of real estate possessing one of the most dramatic views in the state and that the Department reexamine and implement the utilization of this portion of Fort Wetherill for passive recreational purposes that all the state's citizens can enjoy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Andrew McLeod, Director of the Department of Environmental Management.
