An Act relative to watershed forest protection

This bill designates all Commonwealth watershed lands as either "Parks" (for recreation with strict resource protection) or "Reserves" (for minimal human interference to protect ecosystems). It establishes a Reserves Scientific Advisory Council of eight scientific experts to oversee Reserve management and provide biennial reports to the governor. The bill requires the commissioner to develop public-input watershed management plans every five years, focusing on forest protection, climate resilience, carbon storage, and water quality. These plans must align with the new land classifications and prohibit selling or removing natural resources except for specific management needs like erosion control or public safety. The bill directly affects how Massachusetts manages its watershed systems, including the Quabbin Reservoir area.