§ 2-27-1. Statement of legislative purpose. (a) The general assembly recognizes that forest land in the state has many important values, including, but not limited to: clean air, clean water, economic importance, climate change mitigation, habitat, and supporting human health and well-being. Forest land should be maintained to meet Rhode Island’s aggressive climate change goals […]
§ 2-27-2. Definitions. As used in this chapter; (1) “Department” means the department of environmental management. (2) “Director” means the director of the department of environmental management, unless otherwise specified. (3) “Forest-based business” means the inclusion of all the activities that go into harvesting forest products and turning them into usable products. These businesses include […]
§ 2-27-3. Forest conservation commission. (a)(1) There is established the forest conservation commission consisting of the directors of the department of environmental management and the department of administration, or their respective designees; and nine (9) public members to be appointed by the director of the department of environmental management. The public appointees shall include at […]
§ 2-27-4. Powers of commission. The commission has the power to: (1) Retain by contract or employ counsel, auditors, engineers, appraisers, private consultants and advisors, or other personnel needed to provide necessary services; (2) Request the assistance of staff from the department or other state agencies on an as-needed basis; (3) Accept gifts, grants, or […]
§ 2-27-5. Duties of the commission. The commission shall: (1) Develop the criteria necessary for defining the most important forest land under this chapter; (2) Make a reasonably accurate inventory of all land in the state that meets the definition of forest land; (3) Inform the public, public officials, and other citizens and interested persons […]
§ 2-27-6. Forest land conservation fund. (a) There is hereby established a forest land conservation fund. (b) The fund may be utilized for purposes consistent with this chapter. (c) The fund shall consist of the following sources: (1) Sums the legislature may appropriate; (2) Monies received from federal, state, or other sources, including bond funds; […]
§ 2-27-7. Severability. If any provisions of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, or order made under this chapter, or the application of this chapter to any person or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter, rule, regulation, or order, and the application of that provision […]
