Letter: Vote 'yes' on Question 3 ballot measure

Posted 10/26/18

To the editor:

On Nov. 6, Rhode Island voters will have the opportunity to vote for a ballot measure that will improve our quality of life and strengthen our economy. 

Question 3, The …

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Letter: Vote 'yes' on Question 3 ballot measure

Posted

To the editor:

On Nov. 6, Rhode Island voters will have the opportunity to vote for a ballot measure that will improve our quality of life and strengthen our economy. 

Question 3, The Green Economy & Clean Water Bond, is a $47.M investment that builds on Rhode Island’s strengths: a healthy Narragansett Bay, safe drinking water, a robust network of bikeways and recreational facilities, clean and revitalized mill buildings, thriving farms, and open spaces. Question 3 also helps Rhode Island communities protect themselves from threats posed by climate change with funds to help them adapt to rising seas and increasingly intense storm events.     

Provisions for open space and farmland support are of particular interest to Islanders, as nine of the permanently conserved properties on the island were protected with assistance from State of Rhode Island conservation money, including Escobar Farm, Kempenaar Valley, Spruce Acres Farm, Oakland Forest, Little Creek Preserve and Wicks Farm. Local parks have also benefited from previous bond monies, improving local assets such as Eisenhower Park, Vernon Park, Hunter Park, Miantonomi Park and Freebody Stadium. 

The bond includes funds to help protect our fragile coastline in the face of increased flooding and major storm events. Unless they have wells, residents of Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth rely entirely on seven island reservoirs and two off-island reservoirs for their water. The bond unlocks nearly $40 million in federal funds and $150 to $200 million in private sector capital to ensure that our drinking and recreational waters — including Narragansett Bay — are clean and safe. 

Investment in stormwater quality improvements and combined sewer overflow abatement projects is critical throughout the state, but especially here on Aquidneck Island, where much more can be done to protect residents from flooding and contaminated water. 

Aquidneck Island residents cherish the unique beauty and character of our island home. Voter approval of Question 3 will protect and build upon the sound investments Rhode Island voters have supported for three decades. Business, labor, and environmental groups support its passage. We urge you to vote yes on Question 3, and support a bond that will benefit all Islanders, present and future. 

Sara Churgin

District Manager, Eastern RI Conservation District,

Project coordinator, Rhode Island State Conservation Committee

Dave McLaughlin

Executive director, Clean Ocean Access

Charles B. Allott, Esq.

Executive director, Aquidneck Land Trust

All three writers are members of the Green Infrastructure Coalition.

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