THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY

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1 THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY This element exists because it is required that this plan reflect the goals and policies of Rhode Island state guide plan element 131, which can be viewed here: Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Speaking in terms of a watershed basis, the Blackstone river contains a tributary called the Branch river which begins in Oakland, RI through a convergence of the Clear river and Chepachet river. The Branch then runs northeasterly through Burrillville to North Smithfield before connecting with the Blackstone river at the Blackstone river gorge just west of St. Paul Street. The presence of the Branch river here in Slatersville, along with its moderate elevation drops, made for an excellent opportunity to provide water power for the mills that took root here in the Town. Slatersville is significant because it represents the Nation s first planned mill village. Fast forward from the industrial revolution to present day, through the many economic cycles, land use changes brought about by dependence on the automobile, roadbuilding, and suburbanization, the village of Slatersville still retains many of its original characteristics. Expanding outward further from a higher view point, we can see that Slatersville is located within the southern portion of the Blackstone River Valley watershed. The Blackstone River Valley watershed extends from its headwaters in Worcester to Pawtucket and Narragansett Bay. The John H. Chaffee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (JHCBRVNHC), established by the United States Congress in 1986, includes twenty-four communities totaling over 400,000 acres. The Corridor was established to combat changes in land use for the sake of preserving these important places that are reminiscent of the birthplace of our Nation s Industrial Revolution. Along with preserving aspects of the original mill neighborhoods, the Corridor established programs, education, tourism, activities and sites which all work together to tell the stories of our industrial heritage and the families and people who were prominent in all the mill villages throughout the valley. Fast forwarding again from the establishment of the JHCBRVNHCC in 1986 to 2015, Congress again sought to improve upon a structure to ensure preservation of industrial stories and places by 1

2 establishing the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. The most inspiring way to communicate this subject is to include the actual act itself. 2

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5 Rather than attempt to further describe the present day successor to the BRVNHC, which is the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc., (BHC) a non-profit organization, please see their website here: BHC will be an excellent partner for the Town of North Smithfield as we move forward into the future. As a matter of fact, as of March of this year, 2018, the Town Council has authorized signature of the Cooperative Agreement as described in the Congressional Act. Also, please see the following link to the National Park Service: Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park The village of Slatersville displays industrial heritage making it a prime candidate for designation as a national park within the Blackstone river valley. This federally-funded and managed park will welcome visitors seeking to learn more about the village s industrial past. The park would also include Slater Mill, Slatersville. A once-productive mill is renovated as upscale apartment housing. resources associated with RIDEM s Blackstone river state park and branch river, a tributary to the Blackstone. Park rangers and volunteers will be present at the new national park management office in Slatersville, leading regular park programs about the history of the area. Stone arch bridge The repair of the stone arch bridge represents a significant transportation improvement to the village. The walkways and vehicle lanes on the Stone Arch Bridge will be widened from 26 to 38 feet to facilitate improved access for those visiting the area (See Figure 1). The National Park Service will ultimately base itself out of the current public library or town hall building for strategic placement within the new park. Figure 1. 5

6 Goals Policies Actions 1. Protect historic, cultural and natural resources 1.a. Partner with the HDC, BHC, RIHPHC, and land owners to maintain historic character of sites and structures. 1.b. Use the planning regulatory process as a tool to preserve built and natural features that contributed to our industrial past. 2. Build passive and active recreation using the natural resources 2.a. Partner with BHC and RIDEM to leverage recreational development. 2.b. Identify key parcels for land protection around Slatersville Reservoir 2.c. Promote conservation and parkland development along the Branch river. 2.a.1. Create more river access to the Branch river. 2.b.1. Expand the Blackstone river bikeway to and along the Branch River. 2.c.1. Accelerate development of the bike path link through the meadows site. Goals Policies Actions 2.c.2. Explore access possibilities to the Blackstone Gorge via Harkness Road. 3. Provide educational resources related to historic, cultural and natural resources. 3.a. Target individuals and professional groups which deal with local properties (i.e. realtors, etc.) for preservation education. 4. Link economic development to industrial heritage. 4.a. Work creatively with the free market to redevelop industrial sites. 4.b. Partner with NPS, BHC and BVT to promote tourism. 4.a.1. Consider mixed uses at the former ATP site on Great Rd. State Guide Plan Consistency Statements The following is a list of state and regional plans for the Blackstone River Valley with which this element is consistent: State Guide Plan Element 131, Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor This Element was developed cooperatively by planning staff from the National Heritage Corridor and the Town of North Smithfield. The relevant issues responded to are: Land Use and the Built Environment; Regional Planning and Cooperation; Partnerships; and Conservation and Environmental Protection. 6

7 Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. s Plan Surging Toward State Guide Plan Element 151, Plan for Recreation, Conservation and Open Space (SCORP) This Element is consistent with this State Guide Plan Element and its current update. Other Elements of the North Smithfield Comprehensive Plan such as the Natural and Cultural Resources Element also express this consistency with the goals of the SCORP. 7