Protects Rhode Island natural forests by banning extractive and even-age logging on state lands and preserves, allowing only limited safety, invasive removal, or selection management after review, hearings, and fines for violations.

Rhode Island Natural Forest Protection Act – Plain English Summary

This bill, known as the Natural Forest Protection Act, would establish new rules for how the state of Rhode Island manages forests on state-owned lands and preserves. Specifically, it would ban two common types of commercial logging: extractive logging (removing large amounts of timber for commercial sale) and even-age management (cutting down all or most trees in an area so they regrow at the same time, like clear-cutting). The goal is to protect older, naturally grown forests on public land from large-scale timber harvesting.

Under the bill, some limited tree-cutting activities would still be allowed, but only under specific circumstances. These include removing trees for public safety reasons (such as clearing hazardous trees near roads or trails), eliminating invasive plant species, or using selection management — a method where only individual trees are carefully chosen and removed while leaving the broader forest largely intact. Even these limited activities would require a formal review process and public hearings before they could move forward.

The bill affects state agencies that manage public forests and preserves, logging and timber companies that might otherwise operate on state land, and Rhode Island residents who use these natural areas for recreation, wildlife habitat, and environmental benefits. Violations of the new rules would result in fines.

As of now, the bill has been introduced in the House and referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study — meaning it has not yet advanced toward a vote.