Dear Editor,
For everyone who loves Rhode Island’s beaches, the new year––and a new Congress––could bring new promise that Rhode Island’s beaches and public lands will be protected for generations to come.
Decades ago, Congress set up the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect, improve, and expand our public lands. In Rhode Island, a portion of this funding has gone to federal conservation lands, such as the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, and some has gone to grants to conserve and improve our state and local parks and recreation areas, including many of Rhode Island’s beaches.
But unless Congress acts now, the program will run out of funding in late March. We want to protect Rhode Island’s public lands so that future generations can enjoy our beaches and special places like Block Island just as our generation does now.
Environment Rhode Island has resolved to work with our allies to secure full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We are urging Senators Reed and Whitehouse to support this effort, and are looking forward to working with them in the new year to give our public lands the protection they deserve.
Thank you,
Miranda Bertholet
(401) 742-6156
Kingston, RI
Environment Rhode Island