Northeast Sea Grant Coastal Community Development>Rhode Island
Aquidneck Island
History
In 1997, the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC), representing the three municipalities
that make up Aquidneck Island—Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport—and
Naval Station Newport, began work with the Rhode Island Sea Grant/URI
Coastal Resources Center (CRC) to help the AIPC preserve the island's character
while nurturing a healthy environment and economy. Development on the
island was threatening historic places, turning unique areas into generic
shopping plazas, increasing traffic congestion, and diminshing the charm
that drew tourists and residents alike to the island. The Aquidneck Island
Partnership was born.
Rhode Island Sea Grant/CRC has partnered with federal and state agencies, the private sector, and community groups to work towards achieving this goal. Sea Grant's role has included assisting the communities to incorporate social and natural sciences in management decisions and helping the communities to develop leadership and technical expertise to promote sound ecosystem management for the island.
Sea Grant/CRC achievements include:
- Establishing a regional perspective
- Measuring the economic benefits of open space preservation in real dollars
- Developing and implementing a land conservation strategy
- Guiding a master plan process for the west side of the island to ensure a balance between economic development, recreation and preservation
- Conducting municipal training
Today
Over the last few years, the
parternship has evolved. The AIPC has grown with the hiring of a exective
director through Sea Grant assistance and the creation of a task force
to develop a West Side Master Plan, which debuted in 2005.
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