NEW: Charlestown Dem. Town Committee Wants Veto on Land Use Bills
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The Charlestown Democratic Town Committee has asked Governor Lincoln Chafee (D) to veto legislation that would restrict the municipalities’ ability to regulate local land use practices.
In a letter to the Governor, CDTC Chair Catherine O’Reilly Collette cited the potential damage to the state’s tourism, agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture that the proposed bills, nicknamed the “Setback” and “Slopes" bills, might cause. These two bills would curb the ability of local communities to set standards that reflect the special needs and specific environmental conditions of a particular community.
If the legislation were to be passed, the gains generated in the home-building market would be offset by the losses in vital economic sectors for both South County and the state. “This is not a good trade off,” said Collette. She also mentioned the support of Charlestown voters for Governor Chafee in the four-way 2010 gubernatorial election because of his pro-environmental record. The CDTC letter to Governor Chafee reads:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDear Governor Chafee:
I write on behalf of the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee to urge you to veto two ill-advised pieces of legislation that are either on or about to reach your desk.
One is H5425A, sometimes referred to as the “Setback” bill that would sharply restrict the ability of municipalities to set standards for the installation of on-site waste water treatment systems that reflect the special needs the community might have for higher standards than those set out by RIDEM.
The second pieces of legislation will arrive at your desk either as S544A or H5703A, sometimes referred to as the “Slopes” bill. Like the “Setback” bill, this legislation would also curb the ability of local communities to set standards for development that reflect the specific environmental conditions of the community.
We’ve appreciated your many visits to Charlestown since you were elected Governor and your attention to our local concerns, whether it’s economic development, recovery from severe storms or environmental clean-up.
You know that Charlestown has a complex eco-system of shoreline, salt ponds, fresh water ponds, farmland, open space and parkland, minimal industry and the Charlestown moraine. Our local volunteer commissions work hard at trying to find local solutions that address the broad needs of the community in this complex environment.
These two pieces of legislation may have good intentions. Boosting the economy in general, and the lagging construction industry in particular is good for the state. But the approach taken by these bills could create its own set of problems that could impact key economic sectors vital not just to South County but to the state: tourism, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture. We do not believe this is a good trade-off.
Cities and towns always have the recourse to rely on RIDEM standards for basic compliance and environmental protection. However, Charlestown as well as many other municipalities needs to have the discretion to add to RIDEM’s basic standards to protect resources in a complex eco-system. In our case, it’s our salt and fresh water ponds and well water supplies, our only source of drinking water.
Charlestown voters supported you in 2010 largely on the strength of your environmental record. You have been a good environmental steward as Governor. That is why we ask you to take the challenging step of vetoing this legislation that would restrict local governments to protect the environment and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Catherine O’Reilly Collette, Chair
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