What Grows On in Rhode Island News

RI In the Know: Legislative Hearing ~ February 2, 2012 ~ Establishing 4x4 Trails on State-owned Land

The House Environment Committee will be holding a hearing at the rise (around 4:30 pm) on Thursday on three bills. One of those bills, H7195, would direct DEM to establish trails on state-land for 4 wheeling.

House Bill No. 7195
BY  Winfield, Petrarca
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS (would provide for the establishment of four-wheel drive (4x4) trails on state owned land.)
{LC707/1}
01/19/2012 Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
01/31/2012 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/02/2012)
 
There are problems with this legislation: user conflicts, land management challenges, and other issues as they relate to allowing 4 wheeling on DEM/state land- or more broadly on land protected/procured using federal and private funding that restricts such a use. The challenges to establishing 4 wheeling trails on DEM land are numerous and would add responsibilities and costs for DEM at a time when resources are being reduced.

FYI: Here are links to the committee and to contact information for all members of the RI House of Representatives:

• House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Members
• Contact Information for RI House of Representatives

 

Rhode Island Water Resources Board ~ Slow the Flow ~ Summer 2011

Rhode Island Water Resources Board Launches
“SLOW THE FLOW THIS SUMMER” Campaign

Campaign aims to inform Rhode Islanders about
lawn watering guidelines and conservation efforts during the summer months

 

PROVIDENCE, RI (June 28, 2011) – The Rhode Island Water Resources Board has launched a public awareness campaign encouraging Rhode Islanders to follow simple watering guidelines this summer to keep lawns healthy while conserving water.

The “SLOW THE FLOW THIS SUMMER” campaign was developed to provide Rhode Island homeowners with year-round instructions on efficient water use for lawn watering both for lawn health and sustainability of our water supply.

“Water is a renewable but finite resource,” said Kenneth Burke, General Manager of the RI Water Resources Board. “Clean water is not always available when we need it and there is so much work and cost involved with producing clean, potable water – that it is truly wasteful to be applying it to lawns. The recent outdoor watering restrictions in both Narragansett and South Kingstown, and existing outdoor restrictions in North Kingstown emphasize the need to balance the use of these precious resources.”

Led by representatives from the Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA), the University of Rhode Island’s Turf Program, and the RI Water Resources Board, stakeholders and experts worked for over a year to develop the State’s first lawn maintenance guidelines emphasizing water conservation.

“Working with the Rhode Island Water Resources Board to develop these important parameters was an innovative experience,” said Shannon Brawley, executive director of RINLA. “It brought together expertise from across the State to help educate about appropriate lawn watering and maintenance while conserving our critical resources.”

Conserving water reduces overall costs as both a home and business owner, according to the RI Water Resources Board – easing strains on water resource infrastructure such as rivers, streams, water towers, water lines, pump stations and treatment facilities. The new guidelines recommend that lawns get no more than one inch of water per week. Rhode Island gets between 39-54 inches of rain a year. To date, Rhode Island has received approximately 26 inches of rain.

“Your lawns should be healthy, but you can easily overwater and overfeed your lawn,” said Burke. “This is not only wasteful – but could also weaken your lawn and result in the runoff of nutrients into surrounding areas.”

RI Water Resources Board Chairman Bill Penn said, “We take great pride in offering these simple dos and don’ts – and we hope that Rhode Islanders take some time during this summer season to appreciate one of our most abundant but delicate resources – our water supplies.”

“This new how-to delivers useful and insightful ways for Rhode Island homeowners to conserve our precious water,” said Dave Wallace, president of The Rhode Island Turfgrass Foundation.

A fully integrated marketing campaign is launching July 4 to build awareness throughout the state of Rhode Island including radio, print, and online mediums. For additional details regarding these watering guidelines and other water resource programs, please visit www.riwater.org.

 
About The Rhode Island Water Resources Board

The Rhode Island Water Resources Board is an executive agency of state government responsible for managing the proper development, utilization and conservation of water resources. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that sufficient water resources are available for present and future generations. The Board actively pursues new and innovative strategies for water resource protection and development on behalf of the State – and as part of its mission is committed to wisely conserving Rhode Island’s water resources.

Reserve your Seat Today for the Chafee Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner ~ May 12, 2011

**Reservations due by May 5**

Kids First receives the Senator John Chafee Conservation Leadership Award for

The RI Farm Produce to School Lunch Program

Each year four outstanding community conservation projects are recognized statewide as Senator John Chafee Conservation Leadership Projects. These projects are undertaken and completed by local leaders and provide significant benefits to the community and to the state. This year 25 applications were received, only four of them will receive Senator John Chafee recognition honors. 
 
The Recipient of the John Chafee Conservation Leadership Award is Kids First: “Rhode Island Farm Produce to School Lunch Program” ~ Pawtucket
 
The “RI Farm Produce to School Lunch Program” began in 1999 with the goal of improving children’s nutrition and wellness and providing Rhode Island Farmers with a steady income
 
Realizing that strong local support was essential to obtaining the school districts approval to serve local produce, Kids First developed a successful and innovative program to educate virtually everyone in the chain of approval by creating teams of food professionals: nutritionists, dietitians, chefs, food service experts, to provide “on site” education to all those involved in integrating locally grown products into school lunch programs. Farm visits have been an important part of the educational experience. Thousands of students and school community members participated in the Kids First initial educational programs.
 
Training was followed by introduction of produce into schools. In addition to classroom presentations, guest chefs provided demonstrations of tasty recipes followed by sampling to student in cafeterias. Occasionally PTA groups are invited to attend. Sampling is very popular and helps establish almost immediate approval of previous unknown vegetables.
 
Today all 36 Rhode Island school districts are involved in the program. During 2010 more than 200,000 pounds of locally grown foods were served in RI School.
 
The program is a win – win for farmers and students. Schools: students can include fresh fruit or vegetables daily. Farmers: schools have become an important and reliable market for 26 farmers. Community awareness of the importance of fresh produce has been raised and children are requesting more local produce in family meals. Increasing demand for local produce insures predictable farm revenue and sustainable farming practices thus preserving farmland.
 
 
Recipients: Sen. John Chafee Conservation Leadership Honors (3)
 
The Arpin Group, West Warwick
Recharging station for electric powered vehicles.

Arpin Group is a locally owned moving company with national and international moving and storage operations. Environmental protection and sustainability are important to Arpin and consistent with its operations, its goals and values. In its search for new technology to reduce emissions and cut costs, Arpin became intrigued by the concept of vehicles powered by electricity rather than gasoline. The Arpin Renewable Energy division is exploring methods of reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption and is now interested in the possibility of incorporating electric cars and trucks into their moving and storage business.
 
Not an organization to wait for something to happen, Arpin was the first RI firm to accept the National “Project Get Ready Challenge” a program to prepare RI for the introduction and expansion of electric powered vehicles. Arpin purchased a state of the arts electric charging station capable of charging both 110volt and 240 volt power systems. They installed it in the conveniently located Cardi Furniture parking lot close to I-95. The recharging station is open to the public 24 hours/day.
 
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association: Charlestown. Richmond
Dam Removal, Lower Shannock Falls

The first dam removal on the Pawcatuck River. The removal will allow passage for migratory herring species; a significant benefit to commercial fishermen and sea food lovers. In the planning phase many additional benefits were developed. The dam locale was the site a fierce fight between the Narragansetts and the Pequots. Tribe representatives were consulted. Their interest in preserving the site will be acted upon. With the new free flow of the river, improved water quality is reviving interest in recreational fishing; improved launching sites draws paddlers. The revitalization of Historic Shamrock Village is notable while the town of Richmond is also developing a public park and river access on the site of a former textile mill associated with the dam.
 
Shalom Housing, Warwick
Green Retrofit Program

This 1980s building has 101 apartments that house seniors and the disabled. It was recently totally upgraded to meet all current standards for efficient energy and water use. Energy Star appliances were installed and the boiler was replaced. The renovation was completed with the installation of a 37 meter wind turbine capable providing power for all of the numerous common areas. It will offset 92,802 pounds of CO2, 279 pounds of nitrous oxide, and 742 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
 

2011 Earth Day in Providence, RI ~ An Interview with Greg Gerritt

The City of Providence observes Earth Day this year with a special interview with Greg Gerritt, a city resident and a hard-working, effective advocate for our state's environment. Among other things, Greg currently is stimulating collaboration on a statewide effort to compost food scrap.

Thanks, Greg, for all you do.

We're lucky to have so many people in Rhode Island who love the Farmers' Markets, support local agriculture, care for our rivers, lakes, watersheds and Narragansett Bay, and pitch in on all kinds of cleanups, projects and initiatives to conserve land such as Rocky Point, and numerous unnamed forests and wetlands.

The City of Providence also announced plans to hire a Sustainability Director.

Maybe we'll also have a working Conservation Commission soon, too. There is a City of Providence ordinance that authorizes a municipal conservation commission here, but no news I can find of actual commissioners or meetings.

 

Narragansett Bay Watershed Project Funding Opportunity ~ Deadline May 7, 2011

THIS IS UNIQUE TARGETED FUNDING TO WORK WITH PARTNERS IN THE
NARRAGANSETT BAY WATERSHED

New Funding Opportunity for the Narragansett Bay Watershed

Initial project summaries are due May 2, 2011.

On April 14, 20, and 26, EPA will be hosting information sessions via conference call.

I am very pleased to announce that EPA New England has just released an RFP seeking initial proposals for projects that target the Narragansett Bay watershed under the 2011 Healthy Communities Grant program. I have posted the official announcement at the end of this message. The purpose of my message is to highlight that the Narragansett Bay watershed is one of the priority areas targeted for funding in this year’s solicitation, and to make sure interested parties are aware of the requirements specific to a Narragansett Bay watershed proposal.

The summary information below is excerpted from the full RFP announcement to provide information pertaining specifically to eligibility and project requirements for proposals addressing the Narragansett Bay watershed investment and program area, which is one of several identified in the RFP. For detailed information on the eligible geographic area and for insight into watershed priorities for the Narragansett Bay watershed, please see the watershed map and draft Narragansett Bay Region Integrated Plan available at nbep.org. Applicants should review and comply with all official requirements for submitting applications and guidance on the full suite of investment and program areas, including the Narragansett Bay watershed, found at http://epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/pdfs/2011-HC-Application-Guidance.pdf .

For projects addressing the Narragansett Bay watershed, eligible applicants may submit initial project summaries for proposals up to $25,000 for single-state projects taking place in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, and up to $40,000 for projects with a Narragansett Bay bi-state (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) watershed focus. In either case, a 25 percent match on the total proposal budget is required. Based on the quality of eligible initial submissions, EPA will invite finalists to submit full project proposals for further evaluation. Project periods will be for one or two years, starting no earlier than August 1, 2011.

Initial project summaries are due May 2, 2011. On April 14, 20, and 26, EPA will be hosting information sessions via conference call to explain the grant program and application process to potential applicants. You must register to participate.

To request a copy of the Healthy Communities Grant Program Application Guidance, please contact Jennifer Padula, Healthy Communities Grant Program, US EPA New England, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OEP06-2), Boston, MA 02109-3912, by e-mail at Padula.Jennifer@epa.gov or by phone at 617-918-1698.

RI Land & Water Conservation Summit ~ March 26, 2011

Narragansett Bay Estuary Program, the RI Land Trust Council and RI Association of Conservation Commissions are excited to announce the 2011 Land & Water Conservation Summit at the URI Memorial Union, Lower College Rd, Kingston, RI. Register today for this popular networking conference.

Keynote:  Steve Sloan – Greater Boston Regional Director, The Trustees of Reservations: Connecting People to Place and Your Conservation Mission

This day-long conference provides Watershed Council, Land Trust, and Conservation Commission board members, staff, volunteers and others interested in land and watershed conservation with the information, skills and connections you need to be effective!  The Summit is the best place each year to network with your colleagues - land and water conservation leaders - from around the state!
 
Ø Attend Workshops – Choose 3 from over 25 Workshops Offered
Ø  Network with RI Conservation Leaders
Ø  Attend RI Land Trust Council’s Annual Meeting
Ø  Peter Merritt Award for Land Conservation
Ø  Legislative Update
Ø  Visit Exhibits
Ø  Learn how you and your organization can Be More Effective!

          Don’t Miss it!  Plan to Attend!

Funding Available ~ Organic Initiative in Rhode Island ~ Application Deadline March 4, 2011

Offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the third year, the EQIP Organic Initiative is available for Rhode Island farmers who are certified organic, transitioning to certified organic, or organic exempt according to USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. The national ranking deadline for sign-ups is March 4, 2011.  Applications received after this date will be ranked in the next funding group.

Experimenting with cover crops and crop rotations, installing intensive grazing infrastructure (grazing plans, internal fencing, walkways, water lines), establishing wildlife and pollinator friendly habitat, and installing seasonal high tunnels are examples of conservation practices for which funding may be available under this program. In addition, states offer Conservation Activity Plans that support conservation planning for organic agriculture.

Financial Assistance to Farm & Woodland Owners ~ Deadline January 14, 2011

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation planning and financial and technical assistance to help you composting animal and plant waste, preventing soil erosion, protecting crop fields, enhancing woodlands, controlling invasive plant species, reducing irrigation water use, and improving water quality along among other resource concerns.  Funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

The next application deadline is January 14, 2011.

Do you own or manage farmland or forest land in Rhode Island? Funding may be available to eligible applicants to protect, restore, or enhance your land!

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation planning and financial assistance to help you address issues concerning:

• Soil Health
• Water Quality
• Air Quality
• Plant Productivity
• Animal Management
• Forest Management

Please join us for an information workshop to be held at the following locations!

Laurel Grange    January 6, 2011
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Corner of Snake & Sawmill Roads Harmony (North Scituate), RI 02829

East Farm @URI    January 5, 2011
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Bldg 75, 2150 Kingstown Road Kingston, RI 02881

Little Compton Grange    January 6, 2011
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 32 Commons Little Compton, RI 02837

To register for an information workshop, E-mail NRCSinfo@ri.usda.gov
or call 401-822-8848.

Conservation Stewardship Program Signup ~ Through January 7, 2011

NRCS EXTENDS SIGN-UP PERIOD FOR CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Applications Will Be Accepted Through January 7, 2011

WARWICK, RI – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the ranking period cut-off date for producers to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to January 7, 2011. CSP is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional ones on their operations.

NRCS Chief Dave White said, “We’re extending the deadline for applications to CSP to provide agricultural producers more time to complete their applications,” said White. “This will help farmers, ranchers and forestry producers by giving them more time and hopefully allow even more producers to participate in this program.”

CSP has been a very successful program for Rhode Island’s farmers and forest landowners, according to R. Phou Vongkhamdy, NRCS state conservationist, “So far, Rhode Island has 32 CSP contracts covering over 4,000 acres. The average contract earns $1,200 a year,” said Vongkhamdy. “CSP is especially applicable to agricultural and forest landowners who have implemented conservation plans on their private lands. Under CSP, participants receive an annual land use payment for the environmental benefits they produce on their operation. Under CSP, participants are paid for conservation performance - the higher the operational performance, the higher their payment.”

CSP is available statewide. The program provides many conservation benefits including improvement of water and soil quality, wildlife habitat enhancement and adoption of conservation practices that address the effects of climate change.

Producers are encouraged to apply for CSP at their local NRCS office. The program, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible land includes cropland, grassland, prairie, improved pastureland, non-industrial private forestland, and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Additional assistance is available to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices or online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.

Source: NRCS Press Release

View & Comment on the RI Gubernatorial Environmental Debate Videos

Let your voice be heard!

The Environment Council of Rhode Island has posted the recent gubernatorial debate on environmental issues in 10 segments on YouTube so Rhode Islanders can see and hear for themselves what the next governor thinks about the local environmental issues that affect all of our lives.

The Providential Gardener encourages Rhode Islanders to view the debate on YouTube and add comments so that the next governor can get a more complete perspective and overview of our environmental problems so that he will act in the state's best interest. Today's Providential Gardener post also links to published summaries of the debate as well as critiques of the candidates' responses.