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4/5/2024
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Rep. Spears thanks firefighters and expresses support for Rep. Cotter’s responsible forest management legislation
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STATE HOUSE – In response to a 10-acre brushfire in Charlestown last month, Rep. Tina Spears expresses her gratitude for the efforts of the first responders and her support for Rep. Megan Cotter’s bills aimed at promoting forest health and responsible forestry management.
“I want to give my sincere thanks to our firefighters and first responders whose prompt response and relentless work ensured this brushfire did not spread out of control,” said Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly). “I am also grateful that no injuries or damage to structures occurred. Clearly, wildfire season has begun. Last year Rhode Island experienced at least 80 wildfires, including the largest wildfire since the 1942, making this the perfect time to make a long overdue investment in responsible forestry management to prevent even worse seasons to come.”
“My colleague Representative Cotter is also deeply concerned with the health of our forests. Her work chairing a House commission studying forest management in Rhode Island has produced a trio of bills to improve the health of our forests and limit the spread of major wildfires,” said Representative Spears. “I support her legislative efforts to give the Department of Environmental Management the resources they need to mitigate forest fires through forest management and comprehensive community wildfire planning, to bring Rhode Island’s management of the forestry industry in line with the regulations of the rest of New England and to include investment in our green spaces and their management in this year’s Green Bond.”
Representative Cotter has introduced legislation (2024-H 7258) that would require funding in the state budget bill for fiscal year 2025 for 10 additional full-time equivalent positions at DEM “to focus, support and expand on the department’s efforts in the areas of woodlands, forests and forestry projects.”
The House Commission to Evaluate and Provide Recommendations on Proper Forest Management for Fire Prevention found that staff at the Forestry Division of DEM had decreased by 75% since 1990, while at the same time DEM has acquired over 23,000 additional acres under management, leaving DEM able to address forest health issues in only 1% of Rhode Island’s forests.
Representative Cotter has also introduced the Forestry and Forest Parity Act (2024-H 7618) which aims to provide the same legal treatment for forestry as is currently provided for farming and agriculture in Rhode Island, a practice already in place in the majority of states, including most of New England.
The final bill (2024-H 7550) would add $16 million to the governor’s proposed Green Bond to fund state and local open space programs, preserve farmland and fund forest and habitat management on state property.
“Healthy forests mean less dangerous fires. As climate changes leads to hotter and hotter seasons in Rhode Island, we must be proactive in preparing for wildfires and managing our forests so we aren’t caught flat-footed by future wildfire seasons,” said Representative Spears. “I applaud and support Representative Cotter’s forward-thinking pieces of legislation to prepare us for this future.”
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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