2024 -- S 2958

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LC005827

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $180,000 FOR THE RHODE ISLAND STATE

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE AND ITS THREE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Zurier, F. Lombardi, Ciccone, Sosnowski, and
DiMario

     Date Introduced: April 05, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Finance

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     WHEREAS, In 1944, the Rhode Island Legislature established conservation districts in

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order to direct programs to protect local renewable natural resources for the benefit of Rhode

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Island and its people; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island State Conservation Committee was established as an

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agency within the RI Department of Environmental Management, and consists of three

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conservation districts, Eastern, Northern and Southern; and

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     WHEREAS, The three conservation districts main program areas are farmland viability,

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farm conservation plans, water quality protection and environmental education and

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landowner/producer outreach. In addition, the districts provide technical assistance and guidance

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in myriad areas including wildfire outreach, prevention and planning; and

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     WHEREAS, A portion of the Conservation Committee’s needed funding is derived

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through the support and opportunities for “matching grants” which provide additional funding

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necessary to continue fulfilling and sustaining the conservation of land and natural resources for

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the benefit of all Rhode Islanders; and

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     WHEREAS, Funding is essential for the continuation of the Conservation Committee’s

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efforts, including the $180,000 per year that would restore the budget required, but not provided

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since 2006, to continue these essential services; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of one hundred eighty thousand

 

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dollars ($180,000) for the Rhode Island State Conservation Committee and its three Conservation

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Districts to be distributed as follows, thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) to the Rhode Island State

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Conservation Committee, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to the Northern Rhode Island

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Conservation District, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to the Southern Rhode Island

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Conservation District, and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to the Eastern Rhode Island

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Conservation District; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders

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upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, upon receipt of properly authenticated

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vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $180,000 FOR THE RHODE ISLAND STATE

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE AND ITS THREE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $180,000 to the RI State

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Conservation Committee and its three Conservation Districts.

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