R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-122-4
The director shall establish a system of natural area preserves and shall have the responsibility as set forth in this chapter for selection of all natural area preserves within the system, and shall ensure that these preserves are maintained in as natural and wild a state as is consistent with educational, scientific, biological, geological, paleontological, and scenic purposes. The director shall ensure the use of natural area preserves for research and other purposes consistent with the intent of this chapter. The director may adopt regulations for establishing and managing the natural area preserve system including, but not limited to, procedures for the adoption and revision of a management plan for each designated natural area preserve.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-122-4