via Rupert Friday, Rhode Island Land Trust Council
 
This afternoon, Wednesday, June 11, the House Finance Committee will release their budget. I have been told that, in spite of strong public support and 20 council resolutions, the budget does not include a bond referendum for farmland protection and land conservation.  The leadership of House Finance Committee removed the $5 million bond referendum proposed in Governor Carcieri's budget.  This decision was made even though the bond would have no impact on the FY2009 budget ... ie. removing the small bond referendum proposed by the Governor does not help to balance the current budget or close the budget gap.  The bond would have only a very minimal impact on the next budget ($250,000).
 
The State's farmland protection program is out of funding, thus the General Assembly is essentially voting to shut down the state's farmland protection program. 

Click on "More..." for the rest of this report.

This successful program has been operating since 1985 -- in good and poor fiscal years.  The decision to eliminate all funding for this program is unfortunate.  Rhode Island has lost 80% of our farmland since 1945.  Today, less than 7% of the state is in agricultural production. Yet agriculture contributes $100 million/year to the Rhode Island economy and unmeasured other values such as farmer's markets, pick your own berries, fruits, pumpkins, corn mazes, and enhanced aesthetic quality for our communities.
 
The new Federal Farm Bill doubles the amount of money available for farmland protection.  RI could receive $3 to 6 million/year in federal farmland protection funding.  But the federal money requires matching funds.  Without funding for the state program, Rhode Island will likely lose some federal funding for farmland protection.

Thank you all for making phone calls, sending letters and emails to your state representatives and the General Assembly leaders advocating for bond referendum for farmland protection and land conservation.  You and other Rhode Island citizens who care about these issues were well heard at the statehouse the past couple of weeks.  Town councils in 20 municipalities adopted resolutions endorsing our proposal for $15 million bond referendum for land conservation.  In addition, many General Assembly members (Representatives and Senators) supported a bond referendum for land conservation.
 
Saving Protected Land from Adverse Possession Claims - The RI Land Trust Council in partnership with Barrington Land Conservation Trust initiated legislation again this year to protect land held by land trusts and other nonprofit organizations from adverse possession claims.  Adverse possession claims are made by somebody who encroaches on property or uses it for 10 years and then claims that it is their property.  It can cost land trusts a lot of money for surveys and legal fees to protect their land from adverse possession claims.  This legislation exempts land held by nonprofit organizations for conservation purposes from adverse possession claims.  Thus, because of this legislation our protected lands are now more securely protected.  Special thanks to Helen Tjader at Barrington Land Conservation Trust and our legislative sponsors:  Senator Bates, and Representatives Story and Malik.  This legislation has passed both houses and now goes to the governor for his signature.
 
Passage of this legislation is the 5th year of legislative accomplishments by the Land Trust Council on initiatives.  It is unfortunate that our full court press on a small open space bond referendum was not successful.
 
Thanks again for all your efforts building support for a bond referendum.  Although we were not successful in a very difficult budget year, due to your efforts the land conservation community was very visible at the statehouse and this will be beneficial in future years.
 
 
Rupert
Rupert Friday
Rhode Island Land Trust Council
 
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
401-331-7110 ext. 39