Bond Measure 3 - HB 7225 - Environmental and Recreational Infrastructure Bond Measure

Shall the action of the general assembly, by an act passed at the January 2024 session, authorizing the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes of the State of Rhode Island for the capital projects and in the amount with respect to each such project listed below be approved, and the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes authorized in accordance with the provisions of said act? (3) Green Economy Bonds $53,000,000 Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed fifty-three million dollars ($53,000,000) for environmental and recreational purposes, to be allocated as follows: (a) Port of Davisville Infrastructure at Quonset $15,000,000 Provides fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for infrastructure projects that will support the continued growth and modernization at the Port of Davisville. This investment will finance the Port master plan. The work will include new port access roads, laydown area improvements, and security upgrades to support the new Terminal Five Pier. These projects will upgrade World War II-era infrastructure and position Davisville to accommodate offshore wind project cargo and logistics staging while continuing to support the Port's existing businesses. (b) Climate Resiliency $2,000,000 Provides two million dollars ($2,000,000) for up to seventy-five percent (75%) matching grants to public and non-profit entities for restoring and/or improving resiliency of vulnerable coastal habitats and restoring rivers and stream floodplains. These funds are expected to leverage significant matching funds to support local programs to improve community resiliency and public safety in the face of increased flooding, major storm events, and environmental degradation. (c) Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development $5,000,000 Provides five million dollars ($5,000,000) for up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants to public, private, and/or non-profit entities for brownfield remediation projects. (d) Local Recreation Projects $5,000,000 Provides five million dollars ($5,000,000) for up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants for municipalities to acquire, develop, or rehabilitate local recreational facilities to meet the growing needs for active outdoor recreational facilities. (e) Municipal Resiliency $10,000,000 Provides ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to provide financial assistance to municipalities for restoring and/or improving resiliency of infrastructure, vulnerable coastal habitats, and restoring rivers and stream floodplains. These funds will be prioritized to leverage significant matching funds to support local programs to improve community resiliency and public safety in the face of increased flooding, major storm events, and environmental degradation. (f) Newport Cliff Walk $3,000,000 Provides three million dollars ($3,000,000) for restoring and improving the resiliency of the historic statewide tourism infrastructure of the public access walkway known as the Newport Cliff Walk located in Newport, Rhode Island. (g) Agriculture Land Preservation Commission $5,000,000 Provides five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the agricultural land preservation commission for farmland protection. (h) Open Space Program $3,000,000 Provides three million dollars ($3,000,000) to the department of environmental management to bring state open space program amounts back to historic levels. (i) Forests and Habitat Management $5,000,000 Provides five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the department of environmental management, division of agriculture and forest environment, to fund forests and habitat management on state property.