What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Comment On Portsmouth Town Dump Proposal ~ Until 4pm February 4, 2011

DEM ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD REGARDING PORTSMOUTH TOWN DUMP PROPOSAL
 
Public Comments Accepted Until 4 p.m. on February 4
 
In response to requests received from the public, the Department of Environmental Management has extended the comment period for a proposal to modify an existing “Beneficial Use Determination” approval for closing the Portsmouth Town Dump.  The comment period on the modification is now extended to February 4, 2011 at 4 p.m.
 
Last year AP Enterprise LLC received final approvals of their closure plans for the town dump from DEM, CRMC, and the Town of Portsmouth.  In December 2010 AP Enterprise LLC submitted a request to modify an aspect of a prior DEM approval, in order to accept sub-grade capping materials that have elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic.  This modification request, currently under consideration by the Department, has identified said soils as being above the Department’s industrial/commercial direct exposure standard of 7 mg/kg.  These naturally occurring elevated arsenic concentrations are typically identified by the absence of any other contaminants.  The Department held a public meeting at Portsmouth Town Hall on this modification on January 18, 2011. 
 
The Department is currently reviewing only comments relative to the proposed modification.  Prior approvals for the project previously granted by the CRMC, the Town of Portsmouth, and DEM are not part of AP Enterprise LLC’s current proposal.
 
Information on the site and the proposal can be found at online at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/waste/pdf/portsbud.pdf  or by contacting the Department.  All documents related to the site are available for review at DEM Headquarters in  Providence.
 
equests for information or written comments on the AP Enterprise LLC application will be accepted through 4 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2011.  They should be addressed to the attention of Mark Dennen in DEM's Office of Waste Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI, 02908, or via email at [email protected].

2 RI Transportation Public Forums ~ Aquidneck & Providence ~ December 9, 2010

Reminder ~ Thursday December 9, the Providence Core Connector Study Public Forum is from 5-7 pm at the Providence Central Library, and the Aquidneck Island Comprehensive Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan public hearing is in Portsmouth from 6 to 9 pm. Simplifying how we get from one place to another and developing collaborative systems that provide easy and affordable transit options requires thoughtful planning and community involvement. Rhode Island is making plans on many fronts in our main urban centers. Go find out what's in the works -- at least check out the Providence Core Connector Study website and the Aquidneck Island Multi-Modal Transportation Management Plan website.

Providence Core Connector Study Public Forum ~ December 9, 2010

Information and results from the screening of three potential route options will be presented at an upcoming public forum (see flyer).

Can we better connect, grow, and thrive? Let’s discuss the streetcar route options that can bring our community together.

We welcome your participation at a public forum to discuss the route options for a potential new transit service connecting Upper South Providence, Downcity, and College Hill.

Thursday, December 9th
Providence Central Library
150 Empire Street, 3rd floor
Providence, RI
5 PM to 7 PM

Hearing on Comprehensive Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan for Aquidneck Island ~ December 9, 2010

The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) is working in close partnership with its member communities of Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth and with other local, state and federal agencies to complete a 24-month study that will result in the development of a Comprehensive Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan for Aquidneck Island.

The commission has already held several public hearings to gather community input. You're invited to attend the next meeting on Thursday, December 9, from 6 PM to 9 PM at the Aquidneck Island Christian Academy on 321 East Main Road in Portsmouth. Click here to download a flyer with all the details.

From the Planning Commission website:

"This project is critically important to the future economic viability and quality of life on Aquidneck Island. It will reach across all modes of transportation (bus, rail, bike, pedestrian, auto, etc.) and seek to make modal connections and improvements consistent with sound land use planning - all in an effort to increase overall mobility, modal choice, and safety for our residents, businesses, employees, and visitors while decreasing traffic congestion and its negative impacts on our environment, economy and quality of life. The study will draw upon previous studies in the area."

House Environment Committee to Discuss Effects of Transportation ~ December 2, 2010

The House Environment and Natural Resources Committee will meet Thursday to discuss the environmental effects of automobiles and ways to improve public transit in Rhode Island.  Coalition for Transportation Choices encourages stakeholders to attend.
 
The meeting, which is scheduled Thursday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. in Room 35 on the basement level of the State House, will feature a presentation by environmental expert Dr. Catherine Lutz, Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Brown University.  Other presenters will include Michael P. Lewis, Director of the Department of Transportation, John Rupp, Chairman of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Ed Cooney, Co-Chair of the Transit 2020 Action Group and John Flaherty, Co-Chair of the Coalition for Transportation Choices.

"Improving our transportation system and public transportation options is one of the most effective and fastest ways the state can make a significant improvement in air quality, prevent water pollution and protect our open spaces," said Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston). "Strengthening public transportation and creating more walkable neighborhoods are also effective ways for our urban, town and village centers to accommodate more economic growth without increasing traffic and congestion while protecting our open spaces."

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge Proposals Open for Comment ~ November 2010

Have you viewed the design proposals for the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge that will be built on the supports of the old I-195? Drawings and descriptions are up on Flickr, and discussion is raging there and on Greater City Providence. You might have thought that a bridge is something that takes you from one side to another, but many of these designs are destinations in their own right.

Take a look and comment! This is a $2M-$4M project, and once it's built, it's built. The winning design is to be announced at the end of NOVEMBER. If you don't want to join Flickr or leave a comment on Greater City Providence, send email to the Planning Department through their online contact form.

Community Briefing: RIPTA’s proposed 5-Year Strategic Plan ~ November 23, 2010

The Coalition for Transportation Choices and Transit 2020 Action Committee invite you to a Community Briefing about RIPTA’s proposed 5-Year Strategic Plan: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:30 – 4:00 PM URI Feinstein Providence Campus, Janice Paff Auditorium 80 Washington Street, Providence.

RIPTA has developed a draft Strategic Plan entitled “A Vision for the Future of Transit in Rhode Island”. The proposed plan establishes a bold vision for RIPTA and sets forth a strategy over the next five years to strengthen and grow our statewide transit network and making it more valuable to all Rhode Islanders. The plan recognizes that investing responsibly in a 21st century mass transit system is increasingly seen by civic and business leaders as essential to Rhode Island’s future economic prospects. RIPTA representatives will be on hand to share the details of the draft Strategic Plan and will be seeking your input. Come learn about how a vastly improved statewide transit system can advance state and local goals for land use, economic development, environmental sustainability and create more livable and vibrant communities in Rhode Island. We hope you are able join us to learn more about RIPTA’s ongoing and planned initiatives and to provide your input.

Please RSVP by 11/19 to Richard Durishin at 484-1161 or email.

View RIPTA's 5-Year Strategic Plan (draft).

Fort Adams, Rocky Point, India Point Park & the 2010 Open Space Bond Issue

On November 2, 2010, 64.4% of voting Rhode Islanders approved Question 4, the Open Space and Recreation Bond Issue. These videos explain why this money is necessary and how it will be used.

 
SAVE OUR SHORE – ROCKY POINT
Mark Garrison, a founder of The Rocky Point Foundation, explains why voting yes on Question 4 is so important to Rhode Island. Watch.
 
Learn more at www.SaveOurShoreRI.org
 
 
SAVE OUR SHORE – FORT ADAMS
Eric Hertfelder, director of the Fort Adams Trust, explains why voting yes on Question 4 is so important to Rhode Island. Watch.
 
Learn more at www.SaveOurShoreRI.org
 
 
 


SAVE OUR SHORE – INDIA POINT
David P. Riley of the Head of the Bay Gateway project explains why voting yes on Question 4 is so important to Rhode Island. Watch.
 
Learn more at www.SaveOurShoreRI.org

Save Our Shore Videos ~ Ballot Question 4 ~ November 2, 2010

 
SAVE OUR SHORE – ROCKY POINT
Mark Garrison, a founder of The Rocky Point Foundation, explains why voting yes on Question 4 is so important to Rhode Island. Watch.
 
Learn more at www.SaveOurShoreRI.org
 
 
SAVE OUR SHORE – FORT ADAMS
Eric Hertfelder, director of the Fort Adams Trust, explains why voting yes on Question 4 is so important to Rhode Island. Watch.
 
Learn more at www.SaveOurShoreRI.org
 
 
 


SAVE OUR SHORE – INDIA POINT
David P. Riley of the Head of the Bay Gateway project explains why voting yes on Question 4 is so important to Rhode Island. Watch.
 
Learn more at www.SaveOurShoreRI.org

Portsmouth Hearing on Controversial Road ~ October 27, 2010

On October 27 at 7pm at the Portsmouth Town Hall the town council will vote on abandoning the right to build a road there.  For further information, see stories in The Portsmouth Patch on October 23 and October 9 about the road, Heidi Drive. If you have questions email [email protected] or call 682-1532 for the alpaca side of the story, or Rhode Island Nurseries for another perspective. The decision is further complicated by native American historic sites that may be on the property in question.