Open space is vitally important
Open space that helps support wildlife, water conservation, passive recreation, and productive farmland has been disappearing for many decades. Pressure from industries like housing and renewable energy projects adds to the difficulty in preserving diverse lands for a healthy ecosystem. Our collective effort to help slow down harmful affects of climate change and other environmental issues become more critical each year. Land trusts and conservation organizations are working within communities to help bridge the gap in saving these critical spaces for future generations.
Fiscal impacts
While not all open space can be protected, it is undeniable that protecting appropriate natural areas is a fiscally prudent option for rural communities like Scituate. A 2007 "Cost of Community Services" study of RI found that town services used by new residential development cost more than the tax revenue generated by it, but protected open space used about 1/3 of the tax revenue for services.
Values on homes and businesses
Property values for homes that are located adjacent to permanently protected forests, farms, etc. tend to appreciate in value faster than homes in traditional subdivisions where there are no open protected lands. It is important to note that about 95% of all open space land in Scituate is privately owned. This includes the Scituate reservoir holdings which are owned by the City of Providence and includes about 13,000 acres.
Water
Preserving land is also important in maintaining water quality. More than 90% of Scituate residents rely on private wells for potable water. Protection of land that contributes to the purity of those wells is of the utmost importance.
Open space that helps support wildlife, water conservation, passive recreation, and productive farmland has been disappearing for many decades. Pressure from industries like housing and renewable energy projects adds to the difficulty in preserving diverse lands for a healthy ecosystem. Our collective effort to help slow down harmful affects of climate change and other environmental issues become more critical each year. Land trusts and conservation organizations are working within communities to help bridge the gap in saving these critical spaces for future generations.
Fiscal impacts
While not all open space can be protected, it is undeniable that protecting appropriate natural areas is a fiscally prudent option for rural communities like Scituate. A 2007 "Cost of Community Services" study of RI found that town services used by new residential development cost more than the tax revenue generated by it, but protected open space used about 1/3 of the tax revenue for services.
Values on homes and businesses
Property values for homes that are located adjacent to permanently protected forests, farms, etc. tend to appreciate in value faster than homes in traditional subdivisions where there are no open protected lands. It is important to note that about 95% of all open space land in Scituate is privately owned. This includes the Scituate reservoir holdings which are owned by the City of Providence and includes about 13,000 acres.
Water
Preserving land is also important in maintaining water quality. More than 90% of Scituate residents rely on private wells for potable water. Protection of land that contributes to the purity of those wells is of the utmost importance.
Map and table of Scituate recreation, conservation, and open space areas:
> Map
> Table
Percentage wise, Scituate has more area devoted to conservation than any other community in Rhode Island.
This can be attributed to the major land holdings of the Providence Water Supply Board which are used to produce and store water for approximately 60% of RI'ers. Although only 49 percent of the Scituate Reservoir watershed is actually in Scituate, over 88 percent of the PWSB's property holdings are in the Town. Under the policies of the PWSB, no recreational use of watershed lands is allowed. They do hold public tours from time to time. Please refer to the Affiliate tab for more info.
This can be attributed to the major land holdings of the Providence Water Supply Board which are used to produce and store water for approximately 60% of RI'ers. Although only 49 percent of the Scituate Reservoir watershed is actually in Scituate, over 88 percent of the PWSB's property holdings are in the Town. Under the policies of the PWSB, no recreational use of watershed lands is allowed. They do hold public tours from time to time. Please refer to the Affiliate tab for more info.
Methods for Land Conservation:
- Conservation Easements
- Development Rights
- Land Donations
- Farm, Forest and Open Space Designation