§ 42-17.5-2 - Legislative findings.
SECTION 42-17.5-2
§ 42-17.5-2 Legislative findings. –The general assembly recognizes that open land with scenic, natural, andecological value is important to the character of Rhode Island and providesopportunities for passive recreation. Such open land is rapidly disappearing,and it is in the best interest of the people of the state to take steps topreserve the most important of our irreplaceable open land resources. Themunicipalities of the state and nonprofit land trusts and other conservationorganizations have expressed a willingness to act to save open land of local orregional importance and to make such land available for appropriate public use.In order to support and encourage such land preservation, to protect the scenicand natural heritage of Rhode Island, to improve our quality of life, and toenhance tourism, the general assembly hereby establishes a natural heritagerevolving fund to provide zero interest loans to municipalities and toconservation organizations for projects to preserve, protect, and makeavailable for safe use important open space and natural land throughout thestate.