Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:45 AM EDT
Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Richmond to become land preserve
 The turf farm joins about 3,000 contiguous acres of open space. |
WOOD RIVER JCT. — The Department of Environmental Management has announced the purchase of development rights to Tuckahoe Turf Farms, in a land deal that will preserve more than 480 acres of local agricultural land.
In partnership with the Rhode Island Agricultural Land Preservation Commission and The Nature Conservancy, DEM plans to acquire the 486-acre farm for conservation. Its sprawling turf fields are located to the north and east of the Chariho Regional School District’s main campus on Switch Road, and the land includes frontage on both the Wood River and Meadowbrook Pond.
The property includes a public fishing area and connects to the state’s Carolina Management Area, as well as other protected farmland. Its preservation creates a conservation area of 3,000 contiguous acres, according to DEM officials.
In addition, the Nature Conservancy’s Carter Preserve is located south of the Tuckahoe property and represents another 850 acres of preserved land.
DEM officials will announce the acquisition during a ceremony on Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at the farm. Gov. Donald Carcieri, state Rep. Donna M. Walsh, D-Charlestown, DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Nature Conservancy Executive Director Janet Coit and farm owner George Bates are all expected to speak on the deal.
Also Wednesday, DEM will release the findings of its FY 2008 Land Acquisition Report, which details the amount of farmland, open space and recreational land preserved this year.
State voters will be asked Nov. 4 to approve a $2.5-million open space and recreational development bond. If approved, the money would be used to purchase development rights and conservation easements on farmlands across the state — though the bond question’s wording on the ballot gives DEM some flexibility in the way it could be used, Sullivan said earlier this month.
In partnership with the Rhode Island Agricultural Land Preservation Commission and The Nature Conservancy, DEM plans to acquire the 486-acre farm for conservation. Its sprawling turf fields are located to the north and east of the Chariho Regional School District’s main campus on Switch Road, and the land includes frontage on both the Wood River and Meadowbrook Pond.
The property includes a public fishing area and connects to the state’s Carolina Management Area, as well as other protected farmland. Its preservation creates a conservation area of 3,000 contiguous acres, according to DEM officials.
In addition, the Nature Conservancy’s Carter Preserve is located south of the Tuckahoe property and represents another 850 acres of preserved land.
DEM officials will announce the acquisition during a ceremony on Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at the farm. Gov. Donald Carcieri, state Rep. Donna M. Walsh, D-Charlestown, DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Nature Conservancy Executive Director Janet Coit and farm owner George Bates are all expected to speak on the deal.
Also Wednesday, DEM will release the findings of its FY 2008 Land Acquisition Report, which details the amount of farmland, open space and recreational land preserved this year.
State voters will be asked Nov. 4 to approve a $2.5-million open space and recreational development bond. If approved, the money would be used to purchase development rights and conservation easements on farmlands across the state — though the bond question’s wording on the ballot gives DEM some flexibility in the way it could be used, Sullivan said earlier this month.
you'll love this!!! wrote on Oct 22, 2008 8:14 AM:
" Someone at the town hall just confirmed for me that Ritacco just purchased a house on high street (the one that burned and started to be rebuilt and was never finished). He went to the zoning board and was able to buy it and transform it from 2 units to 4...according to the town hall, there were insufficient parking for 2 units...never mind 4. How does he get away with this crap? "
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