Providence – Photo by Mohammed Shonar on Unsplash

Attached to the presidential ballots in this year’s elections, Rhode Island had posed question 4: would the voter like to see the state borrow money for environmental preservation?

Question 4 passed by a three-to-one margin, authorizing the state to issue $53 million in so-called “Green Bonds” and use the money for farmland and forest preservation.

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the union, and land is therefore at a premium and always has been. Before World War II, nearly the whole state was farmland, but after years of suburban sprawl and immigration from nearby major cities, farmland and forests have shrunk drastically.

“The Green Bond received the highest level of approval of all the bond questions on the ballot, winning in all 39 cities and towns in the state,” said Jed Thorp, director of advocacy for the nonprofit Save The Bay. “The bond will lead to meaningful investments in climate resilience, and the protection of farms, forests, and open space—all of it will benefit the bay and watershed.”

Specific projects haven’t been stipulated yet, apart from $15 million being earmarked for industrial upgrades in the Port of Davisville in North Kingstown, and $5 million for farmland preservation.

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EcoRI reporting on the news, spoke with members of the ALPC, or the Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee, who explained how this public body has bought thousands of acres of farmland in a trust to prevent it from being turned into commercial real esate or housing.

NBC 10 WJAR, reports that money will also go to protecting waterways and outdoor recreation areas.

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“At the heart of the $53 million bond is our commitment to protecting our environment, and growing our green economy, and enhancing quality of life for us Rhode Islanders,” Gov. Dan McKee said. “These three pillars will help revolutionize our state’s fight against climate change and bolster our efforts to become a healthier community for all.”

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