Environment

Governor Donald L. Carcieri has worked to preserve Rhode Island’s natural beauty. As a lifelong resident of Rhode Island, Governor Carcieri has exemplified his commitment to protecting the state’s environment so that it may be enjoyed by future generations. Throughout his administration, Governor Carcieri has enacted strict pollution control measures, invested in air and water quality improvements, increased and protected the amount of open space, and developed a comprehensive plan to restore Narragansett Bay.

Governor Carcieri invested $1 million in coastal habitat restoration and helped restore 280.3 acres of wetlands. He signed legislation that bans MTBE from gasoline in Rhode Island and submitted legislation in 2004 and 2005 to phase out failing cesspools.

In 2004, Governor Carcieri proposed a $70 million environmental bond, later approved by Rhode Island voters, for watershed protection to protect our drinking water and open space development for all Rhode Islanders to enjoy. Governor Carcieri has proposed another environmental bond for 2008. This bond, the largest environmental bond in state history, will dedicate $85 million to cleaning up Narragansett Bay if it is approved by the voters.

Review some of the measures taken by Governor Carcieri to protect Rhode Island’s environment:

• Governor Carcieri Signs National Geographic Geotourism Charter (May 2007)
• Carcieri Submits Legislation to Phase Out High-Risk Cesspools (March 2007)
• Governor and DEM Announce $5.4 Million in Open Space Grants (March 2007)
• Carcieri Launches “Project Clean Sweep” to Target Debris on Shoreline (August 2006)
• Carcieri Administration Files New California Vehicle Emissions Standards (December 2005)
• Governor Announces $454,047 in Grants for Water Quality Improvements (September 2005)
• Carcieri Signs Legislation to Eliminate MTBE from Gasoline (July 2005)
• Carcieri Proposes Bills to Protect Drinking Water, Watersheds & Narragansett Bay (March 2005)
• Governor Signs Bills Designed to Protect the Health and Watershed of Narragansett Bay (June 2004)
• Carcieri Announces EMA Grant to Monitor Air Quality at T.F. Green Airport (May 2004)
• Governor Carcieri Celebrates Transfer of Land Along the Pawtuxet River for Wildlife Preservation (April 2004)
• Carcieri and DEM Announce $4.6 Million in Recreational Development Grants (April 2004)