On November 6, Rhode Island voters have an historic opportunity to champion some of the best things about Rhode Island, the things that make the Ocean State a spectacular place to live, work, play, and raise a family, and the things that ensure Rhode Island has a strong future. That voice comes in the form of a yes vote on Question 3, the Green Economy and Clean Water Bond.
The landmark Green Economy & Clean Water Bond would invest $47.3 million for significant investments in clean drinking water, the health of Narragansett Bay, our incredible network of parks, bike paths and open spaces, farmland preservation, reclamation of polluted industrial sites around the state, and protection of coastal communities and wastewater treatment facilities from flooding and major storm events. It builds upon a decades-long commitment by voters to enhance our quality of life and grow our economy.
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Through hard work, commitment and thoughtful investments, we have reclaimed once-polluted waterways and beaches and made them a foundation of our economy. Fishing, aquaculture, tourism, hospitality, outdoor recreation and marine trades employ thousands of Rhode Islanders. On land, decades of investment in farmland preservation, open space protection, clean-up of dirty industrial sites, and development of bike paths and parks has created new spaces in which people work, live and play. All of these have breathed new life into our cities and town centers.
The Green Economy & Clean Water Bond builds upon these investments in critical ways. It provides $10 million for recreational facilities and bike paths in cities and towns across Rhode Island, enhancing public health and reducing congestion on our roads. With demand for locally grown food on the rise and a new generation of farmers taking root, the Green Economy and Clean Water Bond commits $2 million to secure precious land for farming and another $2 million to protect forests and wetlands, offering the dual benefit of outdoor recreation while protecting the drinking water on which we all depend.
The Bond provides $10 million in urgently needed funds to protect wastewater treatment facilities—the front lines of defense for the Bay—from flooding and storms, and another $4.4 million to repair or remove dams at risk of breaching in storm events, further protecting our communities from flood risk. In Providence, the rivers that converge downtown are overloaded with sediment; the Green Economy and Clean Water Bond will provide $7 million in badly needed funds to dredge these rivers to ensure navigation and a bright future for “Waterfire.” And, by providing $4 million to clean up contaminated industrial “brownfield” sites, the Bond also unlocks tens of millions of dollars of private capital for investment in our urban and suburban communities.
Last but not least, the Green Economy & Clean Water Bond’s investment of $7.9 million in clean water infrastructure through Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank leverages $45 million more in federal funds and as much as $150 million to $250 million more of private sector money that puts Rhode Islanders to work upgrading the infrastructure that ensures safe, clean water for all.
Voting yes on Question 3 is essential if we are to build upon three decades of wise investment in our natural resources and our communities. That’s why more than 75 organizations, including business, labor, municipal governments, community and non-profit organizations support passage of Question 3. A yes vote on Question 3 on November 6 is a vote for the things that Rhode Islanders take great pride in—while also strengthening our economy and enhancing the quality of life for everyone. This is our moment to make an incredible difference for Rhode Island’s environment, economy and quality of life. We urge you to vote yes on Question 3, and invest in the best of Rhode Island.
Jeffrey Diehl is Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. Jonathan Stone is Executive Director of Save The Bay.
