(a)  The general assembly finds that greenways:

(1)  Provide transportation opportunities for people, animals, plants, and water;

(2)  Connect natural, historical, and cultural resources and communities;

(3)  Are themselves habitat and natural resource areas;

(4)  Enhance scenic quality;

(5)  Promote economic development and are a tourism asset;

(6)  Assist in the management of storm water and floods;

(7)  Improve water and air quality;

(8)  Foster environmental awareness and are educationally beneficial;

(9)  Offer recreational opportunities, including walking, hiking, jogging, biking and canoeing; and

(10)  Contribute to the establishment, re-establishment and maintenance of larger natural and social systems;

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(b)  It is, therefore, declared that the development of systems of greenways is in the public interest and necessary to securing the public health and welfare of the people of the state and important to improving and maintaining the ecological health and quality of life in Rhode Island.

(c)  The general assembly further finds that in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state, greenways are being created and maintained by individuals, local citizen groups, nonprofit organizations, local and state government, and with the assistance of the National Park Service, and that these efforts would be strengthened and advanced by:

(1)  Formal recognition of the state’s interest in greenways.

(2)  Regular, formal coordination among state departments and agencies engaged in or assisting with the creation and maintenance of greenways.

(3)  Public information about the location of recreational and cultural resources and greenways in the state.

(d)  It is, therefore, declared that the development and use of systems of greenways is a policy of the state and that the implementation of this policy through coordinated state government activity is the purpose of this chapter.