WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) informed U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today that a total of $290,000 in matching grants have been awarded to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to acquire 61.69 acres of property along the Foster/Glocester Town Line. This newly acquired land has approximately 1,800 feet of frontage on the Ponagansett River and contains primarily forested lands. The planned project will create opportunities for public access for fishing and for passive recreational opportunities. Reed said The National Park Services Land and Water Conservation Fund matching grant program is a terrific example of federal, state and local partnerships. Through this collaboration, state and local organizations are better able to protect one of Rhode Islands greatest resources, its natural land and wildlife. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a partnership program that provides matching funds to states and local communities for acquisition, development, and conservation of parks and open space. The program is administered by NPS in partnership with state governments.In Fiscal Year 2006 Reed secured $525,000 for the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex to purchase two parcels of land near the Trustom Pond in South Kingstown and $600,000 to protect the 66-acre Bugnet property in West Greenwich.