The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
Land Use Toolbox
Rhode Island - Land Preservation
links
University
of Rhode Island
Critical
Lands Analysis,
http://www.edc.uri.edu/criticallands/default.htm
Description:
The USDA NRCS and EPA Region I have funded the URI Environmental Data
Center to conduct an analysis of critical lands for conservation through
the state. Four communities are the initial focus of the analysis.
Topics: Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
University
of Rhode Island
Habitat
Restoration Portal,
http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration
Description:
The purpose of the Habitat Restoration Portal is to provide data and information
about habitat restoration in Rhode Island to the public, federal and state
agencies, and nonprofit groups. The focus is on seagrass, riverine (fish
runs), and salt marsh habitats. The objective is to create an information
system that can be used to apply for grants, select potential projects,
educate the public, and assist the state in restoration planning.
Topics: Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
University
of Rhode Island
Rhode
Island GIs,
http://www.edc.uri.edu/rigis-spf
Description:
The Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) is a consortium
of government and private organizations employing computer and communications
technology to manage and use a collective database of comprehensive geographically
related information. The mission of the RIGIS is to monitor, coordinate,
and provide leadership for activities related to the use of GIs technology
within Rhode Island, to support initiatives to implement or use the technology,
and to manage and provide access to a common database of geographically
referenced information.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
University
of Rhode Island
Rhode
Island Natural History Survey,
http://www.uri.edu/ce/rinhs/index.htm
Description:
The Rhode Island Natural History Survey is a clearinghouse for ecological
information in Rhode Island, providing sound scientific data to scientists,
naturalists, educators, land managers, decision makers, and the public.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
University
of Rhode Island
RI
Resource Protection Project,
http://www.edc.uri.edu/rirpp
Description:
The Rhode Island Resource Protection Project is part of a New England-wide
effort to identify the region's most ecologically healthy areas. Recognizing
that human health and welfare are dependent on healthy, functioning natural
ecosystems, and that there is a limited amount of time and money to spend
on protecting the natural resources that make-up ecosystems, this process
was developed to target the states' most important natural resources for
attention.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
American
Farmland Trust
American
Farmland Trust Northeastern Regional Office: Rhode Island,
http://www.farmland.org/northeast/rhodeisland.htm
Description: Since their founding in 1980, American Farmland Trust has helped win permanent protection for over a million acres of American farmland. They have three strategies for saving America's farmland: protect the best land through publicly funded agricultural conservation easement programs; plan for growth with agriculture in mind through effective community planning and growth management; and keep the land healthy for farmland through encouraging stewardship and conservation practices.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Appalachian
Mountain Club
Appalachian
Mountain Club,
http://www.outdoors.org/
Description:
The enhancement program reflects a growing recognition that transportation
programs, while vital for national mobility and international competitiveness,
must also be environmentally sound. The Vermont Agency of Transportation
(VTrans) encourages local communities to be directly involved in enhancement
projects. Enhancement activities are a means to more creatively and sensitively
integrate transportation facilities into the surrounding communities.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Aquidneck
Island Land Trust
Aquidneck
Island Land Trust,
http://www.ailt.org/
Description: The Aquidneck Island Land Trust preserves the Island's open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Audubon
Society of Rhode Island
Audubon
Society of Rhode Island,
http://www.asri.org/
Description: Audubon Society of Rhode Island is an independent, nonprofit, state organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife habitat, the education of young and old about natural ecosystems and the need to preserve them, and advocacy in order to promote continued efforts at preserving our natural heritage.
Topics: Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Coastal
Resources Management Council
Coastal
Resources Management Council,
http://www.crmc.ri.gov/
Description: The Coastal Resources Management Council is a management agency with regulatory functions. Its primary responsibility is for the preservation, protection, development and where possible the restoration of the coastal areas of the state via the issuance of permits for work with the coastal zone of the state.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Conservation
Law Foundation
Conservation
Law Foundation,
http://www.clf.org/
Description:
The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental
advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England,
where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on
the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region
and its residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures,
http://www.clfventures.org/
Description:
CLF Ventures is redefining environmental advocacy. Through innovative
partnerships with private and public sector clients, we combine CLF's
longstanding reputation for environmental protection with our financial
and business transaction skills. As a result, we are able to provide our
clients with innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Department
of Environmental Management
DEM
GIS,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/maps/index.htm
Description: Over the last 20 years, as a partner in the RI Geographic Information System (RIGIS), DEM has participated in the creation of a library of environmental resource mapping layers. These include protected openspace lands, coastal and freshwater wetlands, ground and surface water protection areas, wildlife habitat, nesting sites, and many others.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Department
of Environmental Management's Regulations,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/pubs/regs/index.htm
Description: The Department of Environmental Management's regulations are available for viewing or downloading in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Division
of Agriculture,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/bnatres/agricult/index.htm
Description: The responsibilities of the Division of Agriculture include a broad range of agriculture-related functions and others traditionally associated with agricultural agencies nationally, such as mosquito abatement.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities , Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Division
of Planning and Development,
http://www.state.ri.us/DEM/programs/bpoladm/plandev/index.htm
Description: The Division of Planning and Development is responsible for several related and wide ranging Departmental functions. The functions of this unit include Land Acquisition and Real Estate, Local Grants, Natural Heritage Preservation, Capital Development Projects, Asset Protection, State/Local Bikeway and Trail Development and the Geographic Information System (GIS).
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Forest
Environment Program,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/bnatres/forest/index.htm
Description: The Forest Environment Program manages 40,000 acres of state-owned rural forestland. It coordinates a statewide forest fire protection plan, provides forest fire protection on state lands, assists rural volunteer fire departments, and develops forest and wildlife management plans for private landowners who choose to manage their property in ways that will protect these resources on their land. The Program promotes public understanding of environmental conservation, enforces Department rules and regulations on DEM lands, and assists the federal government in providing landowner assistance programs.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities , Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Narragansett
Bay Estuary Program,
http://www.nbep.org/
Description: The mission of the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program is to protect and preserve Narragansett Bay through partnerships that conserve and restore natural resources, enhance water quality and promote community involvement.
Topics: Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Office
of Sustainable Watersheds,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/bpoladm/suswshed/index.htm
Description: The Office of Sustainable Watersheds coordinates activities in the Northern and South county watersheds, assisting to prepare and implement Watershed Action Plans; assists communities to plan for sustainable development that minimizes negative impacts to the environment and preserves community character and meaningful open space; and assits communities to identify and protect their natural, cultural and recreational resources.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Office
of Water Resources,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/benviron/water/index.htm
Description: The mission of the Office of Water Resources is that rivers, lakes, and coastal waters will support healthy communities of fish, plants, and other aquatic life, and will support uses such as fishing, swimming, and drinking water quality, groundwater will be uncontaminated, wetlands will be protected and rehabilitated to provide wildlife habitat, reduce floods, and to improve water quality, and public health will be protected from the adverse impacts of water pollution.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Department
of Environmental Management
Watershed
Partnership,
http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/bpoladm/stratpp/partnership/index.htm
Description: The goal of the Watershed Partnership is to preserve, protect, and restore Rhode Island's environment by the involvement of those who live, work and play in the watershed.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Environment
Council of Rhode Island
Environment
Council of Rhode Island,
http://www.environmentcouncilri.org/ecri.html
Description: The Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) is a coalition of organizations and individuals that serves as an effective voice for developing, advocating and lobbying for policies and laws that protect and enhance the environment. The Council embodies and promotes the vision that together we can build an ecologically healthy future in a sustainable economy.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Environmental
Protection Agency
Brownfields
in New England,
http://www.epa.gov/ne/brownfields/index.html
Description:
EPA's Brownfields Program provides funds and technical assistance to states,
communities, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work
together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields.
Topics: Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Environmental
Protection Agency
Smart
Growth Strategies in New England,
http://www.epa.gov/region1/ra/sprawl/index.html
Description:
EPA New England launched a Smart Growth Program in 1999 at our Smart Growth
Strategies for New England conference. The conference's success demonstrated
widespread interest in the twin problems of sprawl and urban decay. Smart
growth is an alternative to sprawl and urban decay, and is an innovative
approach to addressing EPA's environmental mandates. Our Smart Growth
Action Plan involves working with diverse partners to shape land use and
growth so that it has minimum impact on environmental, economic, and community
health.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Farm
Service Agency - USDA
Farm
Service Agency,
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/ri
Description:
Stabilizing farm income, helping farmers conserve land and water resources,
providing credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and helping
farm operations recover from the effects of disaster are the missions
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Friends
of India Point Park
Friends
of India Point Park,
http://www.friendsofindiapointpark.org/
Description:
Friends of India Point Park is a group of citizens dedicated to protecting,
improving, and expanding India Point Park in ways that uphold its integrity
as an informal, natural open space. We support improvements that are consistent
with the Park's character as an unstructured refuge from the city.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Harvard
University
Harvard
Forest,
http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/index.html
Description:
Since 1907 research and education have been the mission of the Harvard
Forest, one of the oldest and most intensively studied forests in North
America. From a center comprised of 3000 acres of land, research facilities,
and the Fisher Museum the scientists, students, and collaborators at the
Forest explore topics ranging from conservation and environmental change
to land-use history and the ways in which physical, biological and human
systems interact to change our earth.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Historical
Preservation and Heritage Commission
Historical
Preservation and Heritage Commission,
http://www.preservation.ri.gov/
Description:
The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission is
the state agency for historical preservation and heritage programs. The
Commission operates a statewide historical preservation program that identifies
and protects historic buildings, districts, and archaeological sites.
The Commission also develops and carries out programs to document and
celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Rhode Island's people.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Land
Trust Alliance
RI
Land Trust Alliance National Directory of Land Conservation Trusts,
http://lta.org/findlandtrust/RI.htm
Description:
LTA is the only organization dedicated to the effectiveness and sustainability
of the nation's land trusts and their use of conservation easements.
Topics: Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
National
Park Service
Blackstone
River Valley National Heritage Corridor,
http://www.nps.gov/blac/home2.htm
Description:
In 1986, the Blackstone Valley was recognized as a special place and designated
as a National Heritage Corridor by the U.S. Congress (Public Law 99-647).
A 19-member Federal Commission, appointed by the Governors of each state
and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, consists of representatives
from the National Park Service, state and local governments, and valley-wide
interests, and oversees the Corridor's operations.
Topics: Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Rhode Island
National
Park Service
Blackstone
Valley Institute,
http://www.nps.gov/blac/institute/index.html
Description:
The Blackstone Valley Institute is a "virtual" organization
created to help local communities plan for the future. Offering workshops,
one-to-one consulting, local seminars, and technical assistance, the Institute
promotes information sharing within the Corridor with a goal of preserving
the unique history and character of the Blackstone Valley.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Natural
Resource Conservation Service - USDA
Rhode
Island NRCS,
http://www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov/
Description:
NRCS soil conservationists, soil scientists, agronomists, ecologists,
engineers, planners, and other specialists promote land stewardship by
providing technical assistance through teams to address surface and groundwater
quality; wetlands, riparian areas, and biodiversity; aquatic and terrestrial
habitat; and impacts of landuse changes. NRCS teams work on all of a state's
landscapes: agricultural, wetlands and riparian areas, suburban, rural,
urban centers, and forested.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
New
England Small Farm Institute
New
England Small Farm Institute,
http://www.smallfarm.org/
Description:
A private non-profit organization supporting beginning farmers and sustainable
small scale agriculture throughout New England.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Northeast-Midwest
Institute
Northeast-Midwest
Institute,
http://www.nemw.org
Description:
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit,
and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality,
environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Office
of the Secretary of State
Rules
and Regulations Searchable Interface,
http://www.rules.state.ri.us/rules/searchme.php
Description: Searchable database of filed state agency regulations. Additionally, users may provide their email addresses and receive updates via email when regulations matching their criteria (per agency or per keyword) are promulgated.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Pawtuxet
River Watershed Council
Pawtuxet
River Watershed Council,
http://www.pawtuxet.org/
Description: The mission of the Pawtuxet River Watershed Council is to protect and restore the Pawtuxet River watershed.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Rhode
Island Brownfields
Rhode
Island Brownfields,
http://www.brownfields.state.ri.us/
Description: Brownfields are real property where the expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the actual or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Until they are cleaned up these sites burden local economies and present environmental and public health threats.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Rhode
Island Judiciary
Published
Court Opinions,
http://www.courts.state.ri.us/supreme/opinions.htm
Description: A listing of published court opinions dating back to 1999.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Save
the Bay
Save
the Bay,
http://www.savebay.org/index_next.asp
Description: The mission of Save The Bay is to ensure that the environmental quality of Narragansett Bay and its watershed is restored and protected from the harmful effects of human activity. Save The Bay seeks carefully planned use of the Bay and its watershed to allow the natural system to function normally and healthfully, both now and for the future.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Sierra
Club
Rhode
Island Chapter Homepage,
http://www.sierraclubri.org/
Description: The mission statement of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; and educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Housing, Land Preservation, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Smart
Growth Network
Rhode
Island Smart Growth News Articles,
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/bystate.asp?state=RI&res=800
Description: Listing of news articles relating to smart growth issues in a specific state.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Soil
and Water Conservation Society
Soil
and Water Conservation Society:
Southern New England,
http://users.chronomedia.com/snec-swcs/
Description:
The Soil and Water Conservation Society fosters the science and the art
of soil, water and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability.
We promote and practice an ethic recognizing the interdependence of people
and the environment.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Southside
Community Land Trust
Southside
Community Land Trust,
http://users.ids.net/~sclt/
Description: Located in South Providence, Rhode Island, SCLT is committed to the belief that city dwellers are entitled to a healthy environment. SCLT's community gardens produce food and the opportunity for better nutrition and greater self sufficiency. These gardens provide open and healthy urban space, transform blighted vacant lots, and offer recreation to individuals and to families.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Statewide
Planning Program
Land
Use Section,
http://www.planning.ri.gov/landuse/default.htm
Description: Statewide Planning's Land Use Section is responsible for a wide range of land use and natural resource planning activities, including oversight of 16 State Guide Plan elements. The major ongoing project for the Land Use Section is the writing of the State Land Use Plan, the third in twenty-five years. Other focal areas for the section are water supply planning, outdoor recreation and open space planning, and rivers and forest resources conservation planning, often in partnership with other State departments and nonprofit entities.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Statewide
Planning Program
Rhode
Island Greenways Council,
http://www.planning.ri.gov/greenways/greencouncil
Description: The Rhode Island Greenways Council was established by the Rhode Island Greenways Act of 1995 (RIGL 42-125) to coordinate state agency greenway efforts, assist local governments and private groups in greenway creation, and provide information to the public on the availability and usage of greenways in Rhode Island.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
The
Nature Conservancy
Rhode
Island Chapter Homepage,
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/rhodeisland/
Description: The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Topics: Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
USDA
Forest Service
Northeast
Center for Urban & Community Forestry,
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/index.shtml
Description:
The Northeast Center for Urban and Community Forestry is a cooperative
partnership among the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and
Private Forestry, the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and the seven
states of New England and New York. The Center responds to Urban and Community
Forestry needs, facilitates and supports new and existing research, and
coordinates the exchange of information among the states in the region
in order to contribute to healthy and sustainable communities.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
USDA
Forest Service
Northeastern
Area State and Private Forestry,
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/
Description:
The mission of the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area is to lead and
help support sustainable forest management and use across the landscape
to provide benefits for the people of the 20 Northeastern and Midwestern
States and the District of Columbia.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
Water
Resources Board
Water
Resources Board,
http://www.wrb.ri.gov/index.html
Description: The RI Water Resources Board supports the proper development, protection, conservation and use of the state's water resources while providing for economic d