Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H3036

Introduced
2/16/23  
Refer
2/16/23  

Caption

To allow the city of Medford to transfer conservation land

Impact

The impact of H3036 on state laws centers around the balance between utility needs and conservation efforts. This legislative authorization reflects a practical approach to uphold infrastructure demands while adhering to legal frameworks governing conservation land. To ensure no net loss of protected properties, the easement includes mitigation measures that require the gas company to compensate for any potential environmental impact, thereby safeguarding conservation goals even as land use is authorized for utility purposes.

Summary

House Bill H3036 aims to authorize the city of Medford to grant a perpetual subsurface easement to the Boston Gas Company for the installation and maintenance of gas facilities underneath conservation land. This easement is specifically planned for land under the care of the Department of Conservation and Recreation along the Mystic River. The bill is a legislative step to facilitate the construction and upkeep of essential gas infrastructure while ensuring that the land remains under the purview of the relevant state departments.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise from differing perspectives on land use and development versus conservation. Proponents of the bill argue that maintaining and upgrading gas facilities is crucial for local infrastructure and public safety, while opponents may raise concerns about the long-term effects on the conservation land. The requirement for mitigation payments to ensure the conservation land remains protected displays an effort to mediate these opposing interests, but further discussions on the bill may highlight tensions regarding the potential encroachment of utility projects on valuable protected areas.

Companion Bills

MA H3776

Similar To Granting the City of Medford the authority to require the adoption of institutional master plans subject to the review and approval by the municipality

MA H5141

Similar To Establishing a linkage exaction program in the city of Medford

Previously Filed As

MA HB2345

Creating the Kansas office of natural resources within the executive branch and transferring certain duties of the Kansas water office, and the department of agriculture, division of conservation and division of water resources to such office.

MA H4146

Establishing a charter for the city of Medford

MA H4263

Establishing a charter for the city of Medford

MA H5141

Establishing a linkage exaction program in the city of Medford

MA H4152

Granting the city of Medford the authority to require the adoption of institutional master plans subject to the review and approval by the municipality

MA AB220

Revises provisions relating to water conservation. (BDR 40-337)

MA H4183

Authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant easements in certain parcels of land to the city of Lowell

MA HB1518

Authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in the 47th Ward of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, to New Freedom Theatre, Inc.; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County; authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia a right-of-way easement situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, in exchange for improvements to Benjamin Rush State Park and monetary consideration to the Commonwealth to be used toward the acquisition and conveyance of a tract of land to be added to French Creek State Park; authorizing the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of portions of State park lands in exchange for certain lands situate in New Vernon Township, Mercer County, from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Department of Transportation for anticipated highway improvement projects; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Agriculture and the Governor, to grant and convey to Joshua R. Snyder a certain tract of land located in Windsor Township, Berks County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in Haverford Township, Delaware County, to Carelink Community Support Services of PA, Inc.; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace, certain lands, buildings and improvements, situate in Boggs Township, Centre County, and further authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to transfer to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace its buildings located on adjacent property leased from the United States Department of the Army.

MA HB2216

Authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and with the approval of the Governor, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, to quitclaim and release to the United States of America any right, title or interest it may have with respect to a certain use restriction and a related reversionary interest related to certain portions of Valley Forge National Historical Park situate in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County; authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia a right-of-way easement situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, in exchange for improvements to Benjamin Rush State Park and monetary consideration to the Commonwealth to be used toward the acquisition and conveyance of a tract of land to be added to French Creek State Park; authorizing the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of portions of State park lands in exchange for certain lands situate in New Vernon Township, Mercer County, from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Department of Transportation for anticipated highway improvement projects; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Agriculture and the Governor, to grant and convey to Joshua R. Snyder a certain tract of land located in Windsor Township, Berks County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in Haverford Township, Delaware County, to Carelink Community Support Services of PA, Inc.; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace, certain lands, buildings and improvements, situate in Boggs Township, Centre County, and further authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to transfer to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace its buildings located on adjacent property leased from the United States Department of the Army; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Franklin Township, Greene County, certain lands situate in Franklin Township, Greene County; authorizing the Department of General Services to convey to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements thereon, situate in Oil City, Venango County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, to convey to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements thereon, situate in Oil City, Venango County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Transportation and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company an access easement and two storm water easements from certain lands situate in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to release a portion of a use restriction affecting certain real property situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania previously conveyed to the School District of the City of Harrisburg; authorizing the sale and transfer of title for a 0.232 acre of

MA AB1520

Public resources: conservation.

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