FIRE BAN IN EFFECT In response to the continued elevated risk of wildfires, DEM has issued a fire ban at all State Parks, campgrounds, and management areas until further notice. The ban is effective as of today (10/28/24) and includes campfires in designated campfire areas, including charcoal fires and cooking fires. This preventative measure applies to all DEM-managed lands and aims to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires. DEM will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions to determine when the ban can be lifted. Together we can protect our communities and keep first responders safe by reducing the risk of wildfires: 📞 Call 911 if you spot a fire/smoke. Timely information is critical to contain fires before they spread. 🔥 Remember, any outdoor fire is a potential source for a wildfire. Be careful with cigarettes and ashes. When disposing of wood stove ashes, put the ashes in a metal bucket of water. 🚒 Check with your local fire department for any other restrictions and permitting information. 🚨 Stay informed and find resources at dem.ri.gov/wildfirestatus.
Farmland Preservation The Farmland Preservation Program helps to ensure that farming remains viable in the state. It does this by purchasing development rights from farmers - which enables them to retain ownership of their property while protecting the lands for agricultural use. At the same time, it provides farmers with a financially competitive alternative to development. This program is operated by the Agricultural Land Preservation Commission (ALPC), which formed in 1981 pursuant to RIGL 42-82 (Farmland Preservation Act) for the primary purpose of acquiring the development rights to farmland in Rhode Island. The ALPC is a quasi-governmental agency that works closely with the DEM. ALPC meetings are generally held monthly, and all meeting notices and minutes are posted with the Secretary of State. Program Applications are accepted year round and are evaluated and scored at monthly meetings of the ALPC based on criteria that includes: parcel size; soil quality; agricultural operation and viability; protection of water supplies and quality; open space, cultural and scenic features; flood protection; relative development pressure; and consistency with state and local plans. Funding for this program is obtained through voter-approved bonds for farmland protection, and is leveraged with funding from USDA, local land trusts, The Nature Conservancy, and other NGOs. The list of all protected farms to date through the ALPC is available for viewing and download. DEM's Land Acquisition Committee oversees all other real estate acquisitions, including acquisitions for parks and recreation, fish and wildlife, forest land protection, and watershed protection. Funding for these land acquisitions comes from the Open Space bond, local land trusts, The Nature Conservancy, and from various federal programs including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Legacy program (application), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's State Wildlife Grant, and the U.S. Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Committee also reviews and makes recommendations on Departmental Lease, Licenses, and Easements. Any surplus of DEM properties are reviewed by this Committee. Farmland Preservation Program FAQs What is a Development Right? The acquisition of development rights is a purchased right or easement to the property which restricts all future uses except those related to farming, with the goal of permanently protecting the best farmland and preserving a base of agricultural land for food protection and open space. Selling Development Rights enables a landowner to keep land in agricultural use and also be compensated for the potential development value of the land. The landowner retains ownership of the land and agrees to the terms of a “Deed to Development Rights” limiting future ability to subdivide and develop the land. The Deed to Development Rights is the legal document recorded in the land records that travels with the land upon resale, guaranteeing the state's investment in land conservation will be maintained for future generations. The ALPC holds a perpetual legal easement to the property on which development rights are acquired. Why would I want to sell my development rights? Some farmers do not plan to develop their property, and appreciate the ability to access some of the land's equity while continuing to farm. Proceeds from easement sales have been used, for example, for the payment of debts or to finance needed capital investments. Selling your development rights may offer special tax advantages for those who are planning to pass the farm onto heirs. Another advantage of selling your development rights to the State is that the State offer is not subject to the conditions that developers frequently include in their agreements. Developer purchase offers are almost always based on numerous contingencies, such as approval of their development plan at certain densities and receipt of necessary state or local permits. It is important to understand that the State is purchasing only the development value of your farmland and that you retain the value of the land as a farm and, if applicable, a residence. How are the development rights valued? The value of the development rights is the difference between the fair market value of the property and its agricultural value, as determined through an appraisal. Each appraiser values the land "before” the development rights restrictions and "after" the development rights restrictions are placed on the land. The difference between the two values is the appraised value of your development rights. How is the program funded? To fund the purchase of development rights, the ALPC uses State bond funds as approved by voters on a periodic basis, federal grants obtained by the ALPC and/or DEM, and partners with other federal, local or non-profit agencies and organizations. Nearly all projects in recent years involve a consortium of interests and funding partners. Once I sell my Development Rights, how will my property be restricted? The deed to development rights contains the following restrictions: No development or subdivision No storing or dumping trash No excavating No use other than agriculture What if I want to build a barn on my farm after I sell the development rights? Interested farmers should fill out the application to determine eligibility. If accepted into the program and if funding can be secured, the DEM will handle the acquisition process: arranging for an appraisal, contracting for survey and title work on the farm, and then preparing the final Deed to Development Rights. Assistance in completing the application can be provided by the Department if needed. Purchase of Development Rights Application PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes How long does it take? The process for purchasing development rights can take many months and depends on the size and complexity of the project. Additional Resources List of Farmland Protected By Farmland Preservation Program PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes RI Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission Annual Report PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Purchase of Development Rights Application PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Farmland Preservation Program FAQs PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes American Farmland Trust's Fact Sheet on Purchase of Development Rights programs Procedures for the Operation of the Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission and the Purchase of Farmland Development Rights (10/2007) Program Contacts Farmland Preservation Ayars, Ken Chief, Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment Agriculture, Complete Staff, Farmland Preservation, Forest Environment, RIDEM Administrators Phone: 401-537-4267 Email: ken.ayars@dem.ri.gov Sheehan, Michelle Land Conservation & Acquisition Program Supervisor Complete Staff, Farmland Preservation, Planning and Development Phone: 401-537-4503 Email: michelle.sheehan@dem.ri.gov
Ayars, Ken Chief, Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment Agriculture, Complete Staff, Farmland Preservation, Forest Environment, RIDEM Administrators Phone: 401-537-4267 Email: ken.ayars@dem.ri.gov
Sheehan, Michelle Land Conservation & Acquisition Program Supervisor Complete Staff, Farmland Preservation, Planning and Development Phone: 401-537-4503 Email: michelle.sheehan@dem.ri.gov