2013 -- S 0893

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LC02242

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMENDING THE WORK OF THE NEWPORT ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

COMMISSION AND THEIR SUSTAINABLE EVENTS PROTOCOL AND CAMPAIGN

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, DiPalma, Felag, Walaska, and Sheehan

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Economists have forecast continued growth in international tourism, and

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while this growth is advantageous to many of our cities and towns, particularly Newport where a

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substantial portion of the city's economy is reliant on tourism, this continuous growth can place

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great stress on the remaining biologically diverse habitats and the uniquely local lifestyle, which

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are often used to support tourism; and

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     WHEREAS, Over the last thirty years, tourism in Newport has grown substantially. As

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the state's principal tourist center and resort community, Newport is visited annually by

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approximately 3.5 million tourists who attend special events, sail, and view the city's mansions

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and other attractions; and

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     WHEREAS, The Newport Energy and Environment Commission and the Sustainable

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Events Stakeholder Group is working diligently to find and establish methods to reduce the

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environmental impact of tourism on the City of Newport in myriad ways and with the inclusion of

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a variety of stakeholders and partners; and

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     WHEREAS, The mission of this group is to "Work as a community to implement

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sustainable practices during major events held in Newport, to reduce the impact of huge numbers

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of visitors on our sensitive coastal community, and model methods of behavior that will protect

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our island for decades to come," and to specifically define "a five year goal to require sustainable

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events that make Newport a desirable and exciting tourist destination, build a sustainable

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economy, and reduce impact on our valuable island resources"; and

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     WHEREAS, The Commission is working on numerous fronts, most recently in a

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collaborative effort with the city on ways to attach voluntary sustainable event protocols to public

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event license applications. To this end, it worked in collaboration with the Newport St. Patrick's

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Day Parade, the Clean City Program, and The Met School to set up recycling containers along the

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entire parade route; and

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     WHEREAS, Through collaborative efforts and partnerships, and programs such as

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"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – ReNewport" and its well-defined goals, The Newport Energy And

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Environment Commission is helping to build a sustainable economy, resulting in a higher quality

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of life for all Newporters and guests of our City-by-the-Sea; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby commends the work of the Newport Energy and Environment Commission and its

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sustainable events protocol and campaign; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Lauren Carson, Campaign Organizer,

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     Clean Water Action.

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LC02242

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