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$53 million to fund land and farm conservation, green development, and jobs in every city and town in Rhode Island.
Coastal Resilience
Projects would improve community resiliency and public safety in the face of increased flooding, major storm events, and environmental degradation. Matching grants to public and non-profit entities will restore and/or improve the climate resilience of vulnerable coastal habitats and to restore river and stream floodplains.
Forest and Habitat Restoration
Rhode Island's forest and trees provide habitats for animals and provide clean water, clean air, healthy soil, and protection from climate change so humans and wildlife can thrive. The Green Bond funds wildlife habitat, forest management, and related infrastructure at state management areas. These projects may include removal of dead and/or dying trees; tree planting; invasive species removal, and other forest and biodiversity efforts. The repair and maintenance of fire roads, trails, and bridges will improve and maintain recreational public access and mitigate the risk of wildfires, like the 2023 wildfire in Exeter.
Farmland Preservation
Supporting our thriving network of farmers and protecting working farms means Rhode Island will continue to lead the nation in food-system planning and innovation – spurred on by a growing demand for fresh, locally grown food among consumers. Through the Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission, this program will protect farmland, enabling farmers to stay in business and keep land productive – providing fresh food and much needed jobs.
Quonset's Port of Davisville
Rhode Island's only public port's continued growth and modernization will be funded by the 2024 Green Bond. This investment in the World War II-era infrastructure will finance new berthing space, port access roads, cargo laydown area improvements, and security upgrades for the new Terminal Five Pier which accommodates existing import cargo and offshore wind projects.
Protecting open space preserves our natural environment, enhances recreational opportunities, and is key to building a vibrant economy and quality of place. The 2024 Green Bond investment to protect open space, farmland, watershed, and recreation lands will be matched by federal, local, and non-profit sources; every state dollar will matched by an additional three other dollars. These funds will be used to enhance communities by providing opportunities for Rhode Islanders and visitors access to local agricultural products and areas for hiking, fishing, and hunting.
Open Space
Local Recreation
Studies show access to green space improves health, promotes stronger social ties, and enhances neighborhood satisfaction and pride. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 local jobs. There have been over 568 grant-funded projects totaling more than $91 million invested in improvements in all 39 Rhode Island communities since the inception of DEM’s Community Recreation Grant program in 1988. Matching grants will create new and improve existing community parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, and other recreation facilities.
Newport Cliff Walk
Salve Regina University students conducted a study that shows the Cliff Walk attracts an estimated 1.3 million visitors annually, adding $200 million in economic impact for Rhode Island each year. Restoring pedestrian access will keep the iconic Newport Cliff Walk open daily to the public without charge after a key section of the paved trail collapsed from coastal erosion after severe weather incidents.
Brownfields
The Green Bond provides matching grants to clean up former industrial sites or “brownfields” so they may revitalize our neighborhoods, be returned to tax rolls, and create jobs. Over the past five years, state awarded funds have powered 77 different projects across Rhode Island, leveraging nearly $1.4 billion in private funds and cleaning up close to 344 acres of contaminated land – transforming them into new schools, businesses, affordable housing, and spaces for recreation. 17 different cities and towns across Rhode Island have had these projects funded in the past half decade through the Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund, often incorporating resiliency and promoting environmental justice and equity.
Municipal Resilience Program
Administered by RI Infrastructure Bank (RIIB), these funds will help local communities restore and improve the resilience of vulnerable coastal habitats, river and stream floodplains, and infrastructure. This investment will fund matching grants up to 75% to directly support Rhode Island’s cities and towns in identifying top hazards, improving community resiliency, and strengthening public safety in the face of increased flooding and more frequent and intense storm events. The Municipal Resilience Program has provided 48 action grants across 26 participating communities and 38 municipalities to date. This funding will unlock additional resources for those communities and allow all 39 Rhode Island municipalities to participate in the program over the next two years.
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The 2024 Green Bond funds $53 million to protect our water, land, and quality of life across Rhode Island.
Vote Yes on 4 on Tuesday, November 5th.
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