An Act authorizing the release or exclusion of certain land from conservation restrictions in the town of Deerfield

This bill authorizes the release of a specific 15,977-square-foot parcel of land in Deerfield from conservation restrictions to allow the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to build a bridge over the Deerfield River. The land, currently owned by Great River Hydro, LLC, is being exempted so the town can acquire it for the highway project. In exchange for this release, the town of Deerfield must donate a separate 5.5-acre vacant parcel to the state for conservation and recreation purposes. Additionally, the town is required to provide public access to the donated land and pay the state an amount equal to 110 percent of any difference in value between the land being released and the land being donated. An independent professional appraisal will determine the values involved, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is responsible for covering all associated costs.