The "Old Growth Forest Protection Act" is a proposed bill aimed at safeguarding Rhode Island's old growth forests, which are essential for biodiversity and carbon storage. The bill defines key terms such as "old growth forest," "natural area preserve," and "extractive logging," and imposes strict prohibitions against extractive logging and clearcutting in these forests on state-owned and municipal lands. It requires that any logging operations undergo an inventory by the natural heritage program to assess if the forest qualifies as old growth or a rare ecosystem, along with public hearings and notifications prior to logging activities. The legislation also allows for the felling of hazardous or invasive trees under specific conditions while ensuring that no forestry vehicles are used in sensitive areas, with significant civil penalties for violations.

Furthermore, the bill establishes the Natural Heritage Program within the Division of Statewide Planning, tasked with protecting the state's native biodiversity, old growth forests, and rare ecosystems. The program will be led by a coordinator with relevant qualifications and experience, who must not have prior ties to the timber industry. The bill amends existing laws related to the Natural Areas Protection Act, redefining the coordinator's roles and establishing procedures for designating lands as natural area preserves, emphasizing public hearings and consent from the State Planning Council. The act prioritizes the protection of remaining areas of old growth forests and mandates annual funding applications to support the natural heritage program. Overall, the act reinforces the commitment to preserving Rhode Island's vital natural resources and will take effect upon passage.