Land for parks, productive farmland, land that supports wildlife, and land that holds and cleanses our drinking water is disappearing. Open spaces are important to our heritage and environment, and are under pressure for development. As a society, we have aggressively promoted development outside of our cities. We are consuming non-urban land at a rate which in some South County towns will result in a "built out" - meaning no more land left to develop or protect. Since 1985 in Rhode Island, 26,000 acres have been developed for residential and commercial purposes, even though the state's population has remained relatively the same - around 1 million. With the current pattern of development, it means that within the next 100 years, there will be no rural towns left in Rhode Island.
Scituate residents need only to look to the east and the south to see its future unless we maintain a constant vigil and act when the opportunity presents itself. While not all undeveloped land can and should be protected, it is undeniable that protecting appropriate open space land is a fiscally prudent option for our town. A recent study of community services in Rhode Island found that town services demanded and used by new residential development cost more than the tax revenue generated by that type of development. Protected open space on the other hand uses about 1/3 of the taxes it generates for services.
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 all the reservoir holdings which are owned by the City of Providence. These privately owned lands can be sold at any time without any town involvement. The town owns about 100 acres of open space protected land. The town does not have one single large diverse land holding which can provide or be converted to passive recreation for hiking, bird watching, wildlife habitat, or just general outdoor enjoyment.
Preserving land is also important in maintaining water quality. More than 90% of Scituate residents rely on private wells for their water. Protection of land that contributes to the purity of those wells is of the utmost importance.
Scituate residents need only to look to the east and the south to see its future unless we maintain a constant vigil and act when the opportunity presents itself. While not all undeveloped land can and should be protected, it is undeniable that protecting appropriate open space land is a fiscally prudent option for our town. A recent study of community services in Rhode Island found that town services demanded and used by new residential development cost more than the tax revenue generated by that type of development. Protected open space on the other hand uses about 1/3 of the taxes it generates for services.
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 all the reservoir holdings which are owned by the City of Providence. These privately owned lands can be sold at any time without any town involvement. The town owns about 100 acres of open space protected land. The town does not have one single large diverse land holding which can provide or be converted to passive recreation for hiking, bird watching, wildlife habitat, or just general outdoor enjoyment.
Preserving land is also important in maintaining water quality. More than 90% of Scituate residents rely on private wells for their 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 (in excess of 14,000 acres) which are used to produce and store water for approximately 700,000 residents in the State of Rhode Island. 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.
This can be attributed to the major land holdings of the Providence Water Supply Board (in excess of 14,000 acres) which are used to produce and store water for approximately 700,000 residents in the State of Rhode Island. 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.
Methods for Land Conservation:
- Conservation Easements
- Development Rights
- Land Donations
- Farm, Forest and Open Space Designation