PROVIDENCE - Scott Millar, the Department of Environmental Management's Administrator for Sustainable Watersheds, is the recipient of Grow Smart Rhode Island's Smart Growth Award for Outstanding Smart Growth Policies/Plans. Millar received the award during Grow Smart Rhode Island's fourth annual awards program held recently at the historic Providence Arcade. The event recognized leaders and organizations dedicated to building stronger, healthier communities through innovative revitalization and preservation initiatives.
In presenting the award, Grow Smart Rhode Island commended Millar for being at the forefront of addressing the challenges faced by rural and suburban communities in their quest to accommodate desirable growth without sacrificing the environment or quality of life that Rhode Islanders enjoy. Millar was credited for being the driving force in the development of a series of DEM guidance manuals that demonstrate how innovative land use techniques can promote smart growth in rural settings. Among the publications he helped produce are the RI Village Guidance Manual, RI Transfer of Development Rights Manual, Low Impact Development Site Planning and Design Guidance Manual, Community Guidance to Maintain Working Farms and Forests, and RI Conservation Development Guidance materials.
"Scott is so deserving of this award, and I'm delighted that his hard work and dedicated efforts to preserve our environment and the heritage of our state are being recognized," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "The professionalism, expertise and creativity that Scott consistently shows in his dealings with communities planning for sustainable development benefit all of us."
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for the great work that Grow Smart Rhode Island does and I'm honored that they would recognize me with an award," said Scott Millar. "I'm very fortunate to work with so many talented and dedicated people that helped make the award possible."
Millar has worked for DEM for 23 years and has led the Sustainable Watersheds program for the past 15 years. The program assists communities plan for sustainable development that minimizes negative impacts to the environment and preserves community character and meaningful open space.
An Exeter resident, Millar is the former chair of the town's conservation commission and planning board. He has also served as Exeter's comprehensive plan coordinator and was appointed by the town council to chair "A Vision for Exeter," which recommended that the town adopt village zoning using transfer of development rights as a means to protect community character. The ordinances were adopted several years ago.
"Rhode Island's urban centers, our small town main streets, suburban neighborhoods, and rural areas keep our local character in-tact and ensure continued economic investment and activity throughout the state," Director Coit continued. "Rhode Islanders recognize the value of theses investments and the benefits they bring to the environment, jobs and the economy, and to our culture, identity and way of life in the Ocean State."
In addition to Millar, Grow Smart's 2015 awards program recognized three inspiring leaders, four transformative smart growth projects and a visionary policy to encourage smart growth and address barriers to downtown development. A special Founders' Leadership Award was also presented at the event.