Rhode Island § 42-82-1 § 42-82-1. Statement of legislative purpose.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 42-82-1 — § 42-82-1. Statement of legislative purpose.

Rhode Island § 42-82-1

Title 42State Affairs and Government

Ch. 42-82Farmland Preservation Act

This text of Rhode Island § 42-82-1 (§ 42-82-1. Statement of legislative purpose.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-82-1 (2026).

Text

§ 42-82-1. Statement of legislative purpose.
(a) The general assembly recognizes that land suitable for food production in the state
            has become an extremely scarce and valuable resource. The amount of good farmland
            has declined so dramatically that unless a comprehensive program is initiated by the
            state to preserve what remains it will be lost forever. It is in the best interest
            of the people that the state identify and acquire the development rights to the remaining
            land most endangered by development so as to maintain farming, productive open spaces,
            and ground water recharge areas.
         
(b) The g

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§ 42-82-1. Statement of legislative purpose.

(a) The general assembly recognizes that land suitable for food production in the state has become an extremely scarce and valuable resource. The amount of good farmland has declined so dramatically that unless a comprehensive program is initiated by the state to preserve what remains it will be lost forever. It is in the best interest of the people that the state identify and acquire the development rights to the remaining land most endangered by development so as to maintain farming, productive open spaces, and ground water recharge areas.

(b) The general assembly finds that productive farmland is being converted to other uses because its development value at present far exceeds its value for agricultural purposes; that agriculture is an important part of the state's economy, environment, and quality of life; and that local food production will become increasingly important to the people of the state. It also finds that agricultural preservation will allow more orderly development and permit the cities and towns to plan for and provide services more adequately and at lower cost. Therefore, the general assembly establishes an agricultural lands preservation commission to conduct the inventory and acquisition of development rights to farmland in this state.