SENATE, No. 2848

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the Year Two Thousand and Eight.

SECTION 1.  To provide for a capital outlay program of improvement and preservation of the environmental assets of the commonwealth, the sums set forth in section 2, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act, are hereby made available, subject to the law regulating the disbursement of public funds, which sums are in addition to amounts previously appropriated for such purposes.

SECTION 2.

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Massachusetts Historical Commission

0526-2010........ For a grant program to units of municipal government and to private, nonprofit organizations for the preservation of historic properties, landscapes and sites; provided, that such funds shall be awarded in accordance with regulations promulgated by the state secretary, chairman of the Massachusetts historical commission; provided further, not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended in cities with more than 40,000 inhabitants where: (1) the unemployment rate is at least 1.5 per cent higher than the statewide average; or (2) the median income of the city is 80% or less of the state median income; provided further, that not less than $5 million shall be expended on projects in cities in which both criteria are applicable; and provided further, that the data used for these awards shall be based on  the criteria existing on January 1, 2009.................... $30,000,000

EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Office of the Secretary
0620-1000........ For the water pollution abatement trust established in section 2 of chapter 29C of the General Laws for deposit in the Water Pollution Abatement Revolving Fund established in section 2L of chapter 29 of the General Laws for application by the trust to the purposes specified in section 5 of said chapter 29C, any portion of which may be used as a matching grant by the commonwealth to federal capitalization grants received under Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act........................................................................................... $50,000,000

0620-2000........ For the water pollution abatement trust established in section 2 of chapter 29C of the General Laws for deposit in the Drinking Water Revolving Fund established in section 2QQ of chapter 29 of the General Laws for application by the trust to the purposes specified in section 18 of said chapter 29C, any portion of which may be used as a matching grant by the commonwealth to federal capitalization grants received under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act................................................................................................... $25,000,000

1100-2500........ For improvements to coastal facilities in designated and non-designated port areas, including those defined in chapter 21F of the General Laws, 301 CMR 25, section 63 of chapter 91 of the General Laws and 312  CMR 2.00; provided, that improvements may include, but shall not be limited to, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, expanding, replacing, and improving public facilities, piers, wharves, boardwalks, berths, bulkheads, and other harbor and waterfront facilities; provided further, that an amount not to exceed $580,000 shall be expended for repair, paving, and a storm-water filtration system for the bulkhead located in the town of Wellfleet; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended for the Bellegarde Boathouse in the city of Lowell; provided further, that $3,500,000 shall be expended for the redevelopment of the waterfront in the city of Beverly; provided further, that not more than $10,000,000 shall be expended  for a grant to the New England Aquarium for the renovation of the public space on Central Wharf in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the development of the Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center in the town of Kingston; provided further, that $5,000,000 shall be expended for the construction of T-wharf in the town of Plymouth; provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation of the Jacobs Meadow outfall channel wall in the town of Cohasset;  and provided further, that not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended on capital improvements to the state pier facility in the city of New Bedford, which improvements shall be made to further economic development within the port of New Bedford; projects may include, but shall not be limited to, a multi-use facility for water dependent cargo, commercial fishing improvements, commercial marine transportation improvements, marine educational facilities, a fresh produce and fish market, and capital improvements related to tourism, public recreation and other economic development within the port of New Bedford............................................................................... $86,180,000

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance

1102-5000 ....... For the modernization of the Senator William X. Wall experimental station in the city of Lawrence including, but not limited to, the repair and rehabilitation of the building and grounds ……..................................................... $8,000,000

1102-6000........ For the installation of  technologies, equipment and materials to reduce energy and water consumption at either existing or new state facilities and to increase the amount of installed renewable energy that result in actual energy and water savings above the minimum standards established by Executive Order No. 484 and the “Massachusetts LEED Plus” standard, described in Administration and Finance Bulletin 12; provided, that the division shall consult with the executive office of energy and environmental affairs and the division of energy resources in developing project priorities; and provided further, that funding may be used to supplement technical and feasibility analyses, fund incremental costs of equipment or materials, and conduct evaluation analyses of projects to determine their effectiveness and replicability at additional facilities......... $30,000,000

1102-7000         For the rehabilitation of the division of fish and wildlife Cronin Field Headquarters Building and the construction of additional adjacent buildings in the town of Westborough, including but not limited to, new construction, repair and rehabilitation of buildings and grounds ..............................$25,000,000

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.
Office of the Secretary.

2000-7013 For the local acquisition for natural diversity (LAND) grant program, formerly the self-help program, to provide assistance to cities and towns in the acquisition of conservation land under section 11 of chapter 132A of the General Laws, Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution and any regulations adopted by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs to effect this act or section 11; provided, that notwithstanding  any general or special law to the contrary, the title to any land acquired with  funds authorized in this item which is no longer used under said section 11  as open space shall revert to the commonwealth to be managed as open space.................................................... $36,000,000

2000-7014 ....... For the park acquisition and renovation for communities (PARC) grant program, formerly the urban self-help program, to provide assistance to cities and towns in the acquisition of land, assessment and remediation of brownfield and greyfield sites and demolition on project sites and construction and restoration of parks and recreation areas under Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution and any regulations adopted by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs; provided, that notwithstanding  any general or special law to the contrary, the title to any land acquired with the funds authorized in this item which is no longer used  as open space shall revert to the commonwealth to be managed as open space; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for improvements to Vietnam Veterans Park in Billerica; provided further, that not less than $191,800 shall be expended for maintenance of and improvements to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Green Hill Park in Worcester; provided further that $100,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial; provided further, that not less than $800,000 shall be expended for repairs to a historic structure in Hardwick; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for improvements to Mapleway Park in Wakefield; provided further, that not less than $275,000 shall be expended for improvement to the Lake Street water resource and recreation area in Shrewsbury; and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for improvements to Prospect Park walking trail in Shrewsbury; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation, improvement and enhancement of city parks in Methuen; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for renovations and upgrades to public parks in Lakeville; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for renovations and upgrades to public parks in Freetown; provided further that not less than $800,000 shall be expended for a recreation grant in the town of Saugus, including Stocker Park and Belmonte Middle School soccer, track, tennis and baseball complex; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to the Rehoboth Agricultural and Natural Resources Preservation Council for the preservation and protection of critical environmental resources and open space in Rehoboth; provided further that $50,000 for the town of Dracut to purchase the Canney Farm for the construction of a public park; provided further, that $500,000 shall be expended for drainage improvements on Frye Road in the City of Methuen; provided further, that $1,200,000 be expended for urban park restoration within the Emerald Necklace portion of the city of Boston; and provided further, that not less than $217,000 shall be expended for renovation of the public tennis courts in Wakefield ..................... $55,000,000

2000-7015  ...... For the acquisition, development and construction of parks in urban neighborhoods currently underserved with parks consistent with attainment of environmental equity, including planning related thereto; completion of urban forestry and tree planting projects, assessment and remediation of brownfield and greyfield sites intended for reuse as parks, drafting of architectural renderings, construction documents, and other technical documents necessary for parks construction, acquisition of land or interests in land for the creation of parks under Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution and construction of parks and all related facilities; provided, that the secretary of energy and environmental affairs may issue grants to public and non-public entities to implement these programs………………………................... $25,000,000

2000-7016 ....... For the conservation partnership grant program to assist not-for-profit corporations in acquiring interests in lands suitable for purposes of conservation or recreation; provided, that the corporation shall be formed for one of the purposes described in section 4 of chapter 180 of the General Laws and the corporation shall be considered an exempt organization within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; provided further, that grant funds shall be expended to reimburse an eligible corporation for money expended by it in establishing a project approved by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs under this program in an amount that the secretary shall determine to be equitable in consideration of anticipated benefits from the project, but in no event shall the amount of the reimbursement exceed 50 per cent of the cost of the project; provided further, that no reimbursement shall be made under this item to a corporation unless a project application is filed by the corporation with the secretary setting forth the plans and information that the secretary may require and approved by the secretary, nor until the corporation shall have certified, in a manner approved by the secretary, its ability to provide an amount equal to the total cost of the project, nor until the project has been completed, to the satisfaction of the secretary, in accordance with the approved plans; provided further, that all projects shall include the grant by the corporation of an appropriate perpetual conservation restriction, within the meaning of sections 31 and 32 of chapter 184 of the General Laws, to  the city or town in which the project is located, to be managed by either its conservation or its recreation commission, or a state agency, or both; provided further, that all projects shall provide appropriate public access as determined by the secretary; and provided further, that the secretary may adopt rules and regulations to carry out  this item; provided that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the Winnekenni Castle Forest Management Study in Haverhill....................................................................................................... $7,000,000

2000-7018 ....... For the study, protection and preservation, including cultural resources, public access, development, and enhancement activities for the commonwealth’s coastal resources within coastal watersheds and offshore oceans including, but not limited to implementation, equipment, and projects related to ocean management and planning, seafloor mapping, climate change adaptation and coastal shoreline and floodplain management, coastal and ocean water quality; provided, that a program of wetlands and other aquatic habitat restoration in the Massachusetts coastal zone and watersheds shall be implemented from this item, with functions including but not limited to infrastructure repair and replacement to achieve restoration benefits, coordination with public and non-public entities, monitoring, research, planning, federal matching grants, assessment, technical assistance, mapping and implementation of improvements to degraded wetland areas; provided further, that grants may be awarded to public and non-public entities for the purposes of this item; provided further, that a program of coastal pollutant remediation grants may be awarded to cities and towns to construct, reconstruct, and otherwise improve boat pump-out facilities and stormwater drainage facilities along roads, highways and bridges within the watersheds of the Massachusetts coastal zone; provided further, that a program of coastal non-point source pollution grants may be awarded to public and non-public entities to identify and implement solutions to control or eliminate non-point source pollution in coastal watersheds; and provided further, that all grants under this item shall be subject to rules and regulations established by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs to govern the application process and disbursement of grant funds under this item; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for wastewater improvements near Hyannis Harbor in Barnstable;  provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 to acquire land in the Waquoit Bay recharge area by the department of conservation and recreation; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for Connecticut River combined sewer overflow clean up on Hubbard Street in Ludlow; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended for a wastewater management study and environmental impact report in Acushnet; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended to assist Gloucester with the costs of sewer collection and treatment infrastructure to improve coastal water quality and comply with federal and state regulatory and judicial mandates; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended on beach nourishment for Chapoquoit Beach and Woodneck Beach, and Menauhant Beach in the town of Falmouth; provided further, that not less than $3,500,000 shall be expended for infrastructure improvements to address water quality decline due to failing wells in Medway; provided further, that $3,900,000 shall be expended for stormwater drainage improvements in Framingham; and provided further, that an amount not less than $75,000 shall be expended by the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies for the study of the coastal geology and related matters of the barrier beach in Orleans and Chatham known as North Beach………………………………$40,075,000

2000-7022........ For the programs and activities of the office of geographical and environmental information in support of community preservation and other programs; provided, that such funds may be allocated by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs to the department of conservation and recreation, the department of fish and game, the department of agricultural resources, and the department of environmental protection; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for the costs of services essential to such projects rendered by employees or by consultants; provided further, that the secretary may provide grants to, including but not limited to, municipalities, regional planning agencies, and other public and non-public entities to implement said programs; provided further, that funding may be expended for the creation of inventories of species and mapping of areas important for biological conservation and ecosystem protection; provided further, that priority shall be given to the development, from existing source materials where possible, of the following data bases: wetlands, soils, public water supply protection areas, land records, economic growth areas, transportation development, aquifer recharge areas, floodways, vernal pools, endangered and threatened species and species of special concern, public lands, recreation areas, zoning, hazardous and toxic waste sites and historical and cultural resources; and provided further, that such efforts shall be coordinated to the maximum extent feasible with federal, state, and local governments, regulated utilities and conservancy efforts ............................. $13,000,000

2000-7023 ....... For improvements and replacements to the infrastructure and holdings of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs; provided, that these improvements or replacements may include, but shall not be limited to, buildings, equipment, vehicles and communication and technology equipment; provided, however, that any expenditures for communication and technology equipment under this item shall be subject to the approval of the chief information officer of the commonwealth ……. ..................................................... $2,000,000

2000-7024 ....... For the restoration of the commonwealth's natural resources held in trust for the benefit of the public by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs as trustee of the resources that  have been lost, destroyed, or injured by the discharge of oil or other releases of hazardous materials and substances; provided, that natural resources shall include land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, drinking water supplies, wetlands, and other resources generally belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, or otherwise controlled by the trustee; provided further, that the secretary, as trustee of the commonwealth's natural resources, shall conduct the necessary injury and damage assessment studies to determine the extent of injury to the resources and the required compensation by responsible parties to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of these injured resources; provided further, that not less than $1,600,000 shall be expended for wetland restoration and water quality projects in Woburn; provided further, that the secretary may also allocate funds if necessary for the costs of personnel; provided further, that these activities shall be conducted under section 5 of chapter 21E of the General Laws, sections 23 to 27, inclusive, of chapter 130 of the General Laws, section 42 of chapter 131 of the General Laws, 42 U.S.C. section 9607 (f), 33 U.S.C. section 1321, 33 U.S.C. section 2706 or any other relevant and appropriate authority……....................................................................... $3,100,000

2000-7025 ....... For integrated energy and environmental projects to provide for appropriate conservation, protection, restoration, management, and best use of air, energy, water and land resources; to provide for the propagation, protection, control and management of fish, other aquatic life, wildlife, and endangered species, to optimize and preserve environmental quality and public health, to encourage environmental equity; to provide for the assessment, prevention and abatement of water, land, air, noise, and other pollution or environmental degradation, to provide for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts at state agencies, authorities, and public colleges and universities through the Leading by Example Program, to provide geographic information systems and data, including but not limited to conservation and development plans, provided through the office of geographic and environmental information under section 4B of chapter 21A of the General Laws, to collect, store and provide geographic, energy, and environmental and other information, to provide environmental, land use, water budgets and other trends and conditions, to stimulate increased public and private sector investment in clean energy and related enterprises, institutions, and projects in the commonwealth, including providing economic assistance for the development of these enterprises and non-financial assistance for their  development, permitting, and construction and to otherwise provide technical and financial assistance, including the promotion of alternative energy resources and energy efficiency in support of policy initiatives;  provided,  that the secretary may allocate funds for the purposes of this item; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the construction of a wind turbine to be located at the McGlynn Elementary and Middle Schools in Medford; provided further, that $600,000 shall be expended for the town of Falmouth to meet the cost of the contract and construction services for the 1.5 megawatt wind turbine at their wastewater treatment facility; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended on the development of a Buzzards Bay Center in the Whaling National Historical Park;  provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, $3,000,000 shall be expended for a green school environment grant in the town of Saugus; provided, however, that said grant shall only be expended if the town of Saugus is certified to receive state aid to public libraries by the board of library commissioners; and provided that said grant may also be used as the town’s share of the Massachusetts School Building Authority program; provided further that not less than $800,000 shall be expended for the construction of a water tower in Templeton; provided further, that $550,000 shall be expended for a clean air aging boiler grant in the town of Saugus; and provided further, that grants may be awarded to public or non-public entities to carry out this item……. ........................ $31,650,000

Department of Environmental Protection.
2200-7011  For the purposes of water quality monitoring, assessment and protection as required to meet the legislative and regulatory requirements of the Rivers Protection Act, the federal and state Clean Water Acts and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and to provide for integrated energy and environmental projects to optimize and preserve environmental quality and public health and provide for appropriate protection, restoration, management, and best use of air, energy, water and land resources; provided, that this funding, may include, but not be limited to, studies of water quality, the development of wetlands conservancy and tidelands Geographic Information System (GIS) maps, the implementation of water quality monitoring devices, the collection and analysis of water quality samples, the development of water quality analyses known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL’s), and projects related to non-point and point sources of water pollution, and the wetlands circuit rider program; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for sewer extensions in the Spencer/Tuttle /Flint area of the town of Acton, otherwise referred to as Area 10 in the town's CWRMP; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for separation of sewer and storm drains in Palmer; and provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the identification and remediation of pollution sources for the Cole and Lees rivers;........................................................................................... ………………$15,200,000

2200-7012  ...... For operation and maintenance of the department of environmental protection’s statewide air monitoring network including, but not limited to, photochemical assessment monitoring stations, small particulate monitoring and air toxins monitoring; and for the upgrade of equipment to comply with federal requirements; provided, that $350,000 shall be expended for air quality monitoring, odor mitigation, and the establishment of an airborne odor and toxics mitigation strategy in the city of Northampton and town of Easthampton in neighborhoods impacted by the regional solid waste landfill, located in the city of Northampton........................................................................ $4,850,000

2200-7013 ....... For the purposes of discovery, assessment, containment, clean-up, and closure of existing or closed solid waste facilities causing or threatening to cause pollution as authorized by section 4 of chapter 21H of the General Laws; provided, however, that funds authorized in this item shall be used for the purposes of maintaining a composting and recycling program consistent with the statewide Solid Waste Master Plan authorized by section 21 of chapter 16 of the General Laws; provided further, that $2,000,000 shall be expended for the monitoring, mitigation, inspection and investigation of the impacts of the regional solid waste landfill in the city of Northampton on groundwater, public and private water supply wells and the Barnes Sole Source Aquifer,................... $13,000,000

2200-7014 ....... For information systems development and information technology equipment at the department of environmental protection to upgrade the first-generation “eDEP” on-line permitting/compliance reporting system to meet current business standards and the best competitive practices for states, to develop and implement on-line file reviews and permit guides, expand internet publishing of environmental reports and information, and improve system availability and response times for the regulated community and the public; provided, however, that any expenditures under this item shall be subject to the approval of the chief information officer of the commonwealth……………............ $20,000,000

2200-7015 ....... For the assessment, containment, cleanup, control, removal of or response actions concerning oil or hazardous materials or for any other actions necessary to implement chapter 21E of the General Laws; provided, that not less than $12,000,000 shall be expended for the remediation of soil contamination on residential properties located on streets adjacent to the former landfill site in Brookline and provided further, that not less than $7,000,000 shall be expended for the clean up of the Paper Shafer site in Dorchester........... $44,000,000

2200-7016........ For a grant to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Landscape Ecology Program to utilize the Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System to establish a statewide, comprehensive wetlands monitoring and assessment program for the commmonweatlh, to identify relationships between landscape-based stressors and the physical and biotic condition of ecosystems, and to complete a statewide landscape connectivity study ……. ....... $500,000

2200-7017 ....... For grants to cities, towns and districts for the acquisition of lands and waters and easements by those cities, towns and districts to protect and conserve groundwater aquifers and recharge areas, surface water supplies and watershed areas, and surface or underground lands adjacent to those resources, for the protection of water that is determined by the department of environmental protection to be of potential use for water supply purposes; provided, that any grants approved by the department and provided to cities, towns and districts from this item may be for up to 60 per cent of the eligible costs of the projects; provided, that not less than $1,125,000 be expended for a watershed study of the Miles River watershed and restoration in Ipswich, Beverly, Wenham and Hamilton ............................................................................. $22,500,000 

2200-7018........ For a grant program to assist municipalities, water districts and water commissions,hereinafter referred to as water suppliers, with preserving drinking water quality and reliability; provided, that the program shall provide grant funding to water suppliers to upgrade or replace their water infrastructure; provided further, that as a condition of receiving grant funding pursuant to this program, a water supplier shall certify in writing to the department that the water supplier has a comprehensive upgrade and maintenance plan for its water infrastructure; provided further, that the comprehensive upgrade and maintenance plan shall include the following information: (1)  a detailed financial forecast of facility replacement improvement requirements for the next 20 years including, but not limited to, the principal components of the water system such as reservoirs, dams, treatment plants, pipes, valves, fire hydrants, pumping stations, storage facilities, pumping and well equipment, interconnections and water mains and each financial forecast shall analyze the condition and life expectancy of the existing facilities, prioritize needed repairs and replacements and amortize such improvement requirements on an annual basis over the next 20 years; provided, that water suppliers which have in effect infrastructure improvement or rehabilitation programs and mechanisms for funding approved by their appropriate governing bodies may submit their existing programs for complete or partial compliance with this clause; and (2)  a method that establishes and maintains fiscal controls and accounting depreciation standards; provided, that a water supplier that is also a municipality shall additionally certify in writing to the department that it has adopted a water supply utility enterprise fund pursuant to section 53F1/2 of chapter 44 of the General Laws; provided further, that the municipal water supplier shall further certify that it shall maintain its water supply utility enterprise fund in accordance with said section 53F1/2 of said chapter for 10 years from the date the grant is approved, or longer as determined by the department…………………………..$25,000,000

Department of Fish and Game.

2300-7010 ....... For the acquisition of land and interests in land by the department of fish and game and for associated costs, including planning, study, due diligence, title and appraisal services, site restoration and stewardship for the purpose of protecting the native flora and fauna communities and for associated costs; provided, that the commissioner of fish and game may develop and utilize scientifically-based evaluation criteria to identify and select the most biologically significant areas throughout the commonwealth including, but not limited to, specific parcels, and that these lands may be purchased after being selected by this process and approved by the commissioner of fisheries and wildlife; provided further, that funds may be expended on the development and implementation of a stewardship program on lands under the care and control of the department of fish and game and its divisions, either in fee simple or through conservation easement, including but not limited to resource and land use monitoring, baseline documentation report creation, signage, boundary marking and monitoring, stewardship planning, stewardship personnel, stewardship database development, ecological monitoring, and enforcement of conservation restrictions or detection and resolution of encroachments on land owned in fee simple, and repair of damage related to illegal off-road vehicle trespass; provided further, that funds may be used for inventory, restoration and reclamation of recently acquired land, including demolition of structures, removal of debris, eradication of non-native species, and other services essential to these reclamation efforts........................................................................................... $73,000,000

2300-7011 ....... For enhancements, improvements, removal and replacements to the infrastructure and holdings of the department of fish and game and its divisions; and for the costs of studies, plans, engineering and other services essential to this activity; and for the planning, design, construction, and repair of existing and new facilities under the care and control of the department of fish and game and its divisions, including but not limited to education centers, district headquarters, hatcheries, office buildings, storage buildings, shooting ranges, and laboratories; provided, that these enhancements, improvements and replacements may include, but shall not be limited to, buildings and other structures, equipment, vehicles, vessels, information systems, and site clearance, including the demolition of structures, and other holdings including remediation of environmental compliance matters throughout the commonwealth ........................................................................................... $13,000,000

2300-7013 ....... For the purposes of conserving and recovering rare and endangered plant and animal species listed under chapter 131A of the General Laws and protecting other elements of the state’s threatened natural heritage, through conservation, preparation of endangered species recovery plans, implementation of recovery projects, and the execution of habitat and ecological restoration and management, as identified by the division of fisheries and wildlife's natural heritage and endangered species program and approved by the director of the division and the commissioner of the department; provided, that the associated costs may include, but shall not be limited to, species recovery, habitat restoration and management, monitoring services and equipment purchases; and provided further, that this work may be carried out in cooperation with local municipalities, private conservation organizations, private landowners, universities or governmental agencies.......................................................... $10,000,000

2300-7014 ....... For a program of upland habitat management of forestlands, shrub lands, and grasslands, to provide habitat for native wildlife species experiencing long-term population declines, to control invasive, exotic species that degrade natural habitats, and to maintain independent, third party certification of sustainable resource management on state wildlife lands through the forest stewardship council; provided, that activities shall include, but shall not be limited to, implementation of habitat management plans as established by the division of fisheries and wildlife and approved by the director of the division and the commissioner of the department; and to establish and support an integrated, early detection and rapid response system for invasive species and to complete a strategic management plan for invasive species to prevent, control, eradicate and restore natural management areas; provided, that the commissioner shall identify at all scales the natural and cultural resources at risk from invasive species and conduct baseline assessments of invasive species at those sites and to educate the public to help prevent and control invasive species and for a landowner incentive grant program to restore declining species and their habitats identified in the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy on private lands that may include, but shall not be limited to, technical and financial assistance, implementation and monitoring as established by the division of fisheries and wildlife and approved by the director of the division and the commissioner of the department, and for associated costs; provided, that the associated costs may include, but shall not be limited to, restoration, management, monitoring services, and equipment purchases; provided further, that the projects may be carried out in cooperation with cities, towns, not-for-profit organizations, private landowners, conservation organizations, sportsmen’s clubs or governmental agencies; provided further, that grants may be  awarded to public and non-public entities to carry out the purposes of this item; provided further, that not less than $1,200,000 shall be expended for invasive species control in the city of Peabody; provided further, that $50,000 shall be expended for the eradication of invasive aquatic weed in the town of Wayland; provided further, that not more than $2,000,000 may be annually appropriated for a program to support comprehensive methods of controlling harmful invasive aquatic species; provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be expended for a program of grants to cities and towns for projects to control or eradicate harmful invasive aquatic species; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the control or eradication of invasive aquatic species at Lake Cochituate State Park; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for control of invasive aquatic species at Noyes Pond in Tolland; provided further, that the department shall conduct a study of invasive aquatic species infestation in the Charles River; and provided further, that the department may award grants to public and non-public entities to carry out the purposes of this item;.  ............. …$16,500,000

2300-7015     For the river restoration programs in the division of riverways within the department of fish and game;  provided, that funds authorized in this item may be utilized for river and river corridor revitalization, restoration and protection of river ecosystems and functions statewide, including dam and barrier removal, instream improvements, flow, water quality, riverine habitat, for protection of high quality riparian habitat to mitigate threats from climate change, and recreational opportunities; provided further, that these costs may include, but shall not be limited to, equipment to implement these programs; and provided further, that the commissioner or his designee may enter into cooperative agreements with state and federal government agencies and municipalities, may contract for services including, but not limited to, engineering, and may award grants to public and non-public entities to foster and carry out the purposes of this item .............................................................................. $10,000,000

2300-7016 ....... For the planning, engineering, design, construction, construction inspection, acquisition, development, and reconstruction of existing and new coastal and inland access sites including, but not limited to, boat launching facilities, fisherman boat access facilities, car-top boat launching facilities, canoe access facilities, sport fishing piers and shore fishing areas including, but not limited to, ramps, docks, floats and appurtenant facilities throughout the commonwealth; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the construction of a stand-alone public fishing pier in Oak Bluffs; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended  for the reconstruction of the boating and fishing access ramp at Cooks Pond in Fall River; provided further, that $350,000 shall be expended for Salisbury Flood Control in state highway route 1; provided further, that not less than $400,000 shall be expended  for the fish pier at Deer Island Park in Amesbury; provided further, that $190,000 shall be expended for the North Andover boat ramp at Riverview Street; provided further, that $500,000 shall be expended for Green Pond Boat  Ramp in the town of Falmouth; provided further, that $1,000,000 shall be expended for renovations to the state boat ramp and parking lot at Lake Mascuppic in Dracut; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for repair of the access ramp and dock at the Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center in Kingston; provided further, that not less than $650,000 shall be expended for the repair and enhancements of the public access boat ramp on Laurel lake in the town of Lee; and provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for design and engineering costs for a boat ramp at Squantum Point Park in Quincy................................................................................. $7,300,000

2300-7017 ....... For the implementation of the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and investigating the impacts of climate change on the biodiversity of Massachusetts including, but  not  limited to, habitat protection and restoration, implementation, and equipment purchases; provided, that implementation may also include, but shall not be limited to, a Coastal Waterbird Conservation Program to restore globally and regionally significant populations of declining and at-risk species of coastal water birds and their habitats, as tracked by the natural heritage & endangered species program and identified in the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, including habitat protection and restoration, bird population protection, restoration, and technical assistance to landowners and other cooperators, and planning, engineering, design, construction, and reconstruction of structures to stabilize critical coastal nesting islands, and for associated costs which may include, but shall not be limited to, equipment purchases; provided further, that this work may be carried out in cooperation with local municipalities, private conservation organizations, private landowners, universities, or governmental agencies; provided further, that implementation may also include, but shall not be limited to, non-marine aquatic habitat protection and restoration, establishing benchmarks for fish community restoration and establishing protection goals for high quality fish communities, the preparation of restoration and habitat protection plans, and the execution of fisheries habitat restoration projects on natural fish communities and for associated costs including, but not limited to, research, restoration, management, monitoring, and equipment; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for the further development of map products by this program to identify and target for protection, restoration and management of natural fisheries communities including, but not limited to, research, data collection, map production and equipment and management studies; and provided further, that grants may be awarded to public and non-public entities to carry out the purposes of this item;........................................................................................... $10,450,000

2300-7018   For the purposes of marine fisheries resource habitat identification, classification, protection and restoration, the preparation of technical guidance and fisheries management plans, as approved by the director of marine fisheries and the commissioner of the department, and for associated costs; provided, that these associated costs may include, but shall not be limited to, research, restoration, management, monitoring and equipment; provided further, that these projects may be carried out in cooperation with not-for-profit organizations or other management agencies; provided further, that funds may be expended for the further development of map products and technical guidance by this program to identify and target for protection, restoration and management of marine fisheries resources including, but not limited to, research, data collection, equipment, map production, management studies; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for the study of commercial and recreational fishing stocks, and creating a data collection and fisheries management system to be administered by the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute in conjunction with the School of Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended on a research vessel to conduct ocean management and sustainable fisheries research; provided further, that this vessel shall be operated by the School of Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and shall be primarily berthed in the port of New Bedford; provided further, that not less than $750,000 shall be expended for the purchase of scales and the establishment of a shore-based monitoring program for all federally-managed fisheries for herring and mackerel, which expenditures shall be made, and the program conducted, in accordance with the requirements of section 18 and under the supervision of the oversight committee established in said section 18; provided further, that not more than $225,000 shall be expended by the department for the study of the horseshoe crab population in Wellfleet Harbor, Pleasant Bay, and Barnstable Harbor; and  provided further, the department may contract with an environmental non-profit in order to conduct said horseshoe crab study............................................................................ $7,475,000

Department of Agricultural Resources.

2500-7012 ....... For a program to acquire agricultural preservation restrictions under sections  23 to  26, inclusive, of chapter 20 of the General Laws; provided, that any person or entity that receives funds from this item shall be encouraged to participate in any programs of the department of agricultural resources that may be suggested by the commissioner of agricultural resources; provided further, that funds may be used for implementation of a stewardship program on APR lands including, but not limited to, resource and land use monitoring, boundary delineation and monitoring, stewardship planning, ecological monitoring, and enforcement of agricultural preservation restrictions on existing and newly acquired APR properties; as well as the creation of new opportunities that seek to enhance the sustainability and viability of APR properties.......................... $67,750,000

2500-7013 ....... For the purpose of developing and implementing programs designed to address agricultural economic and environmental sustainability, research, industry promotion, technology transfer, education and to facilitate improvements to agricultural infrastructure, energy conservation and efficiency, as well as renewable energy projects, including the development and implementation of farm viability plans and other technical and engineering assistance to enhance the economic and environmental viability of farms, to provide for shorter term land covenants, and for undertaking of markets for agricultural products to assist in agricultural business enhancement and transition, the creation of a program, including grants to public and non-public entities for the development and implementation of new procedures for energy conservation and efficiency, renewable and alternative energy sources to assist the commonwealth’s agricultural community to grow and develop; provided further, that funds shall be expended for the  Northeastern Massachusetts aquaculture center by Salem State College, Southeastern Massachusetts aquaculture center by Barnstable County, the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology, in consultation and cooperation with the department’s aquaculture division at a location within the port of  New Bedford and the Western Massachusetts center for sustainable aquaculture by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended to establish a program to facilitate the creation of a general public market in Boston to provide local agricultural, seafood and aquaculture, dairy and specialty foods produced in the commonwealth; provided further, that the Massachusetts aquaculture centers shall work in cooperation and in collaboration with the department of agricultural resources toward the provision of grant funding and services to the aquaculture industry; provided further, that there be established a program to assist in the preservation and rehabilitation of facilities and land resources of agricultural fairs in the commonwealth through short-term preservation covenants, grants, demonstration projects and other means, under section 38C of chapter 128 of the General Laws; provided further, that funds authorized in this item may be allocated by the commissioner through competitive grants; and provided further, that  the commissioner may adopt regulations relative to these grants.......................................................... $30,000,000

2500-7014 ....... For the agricultural environmental enhancement program on the abatement of all forms of pollution generated from agricultural activities  originally funded under section 8 of chapter 258 of the acts of 1996; provided, that funds may be allocated by the commissioner through competitive grants awarded to public and non-public entities to carry out the purposes of this item.......... $3,000,000

Department of Conservation and Recreation.

2800-7011 ....... For the acquisition of land and interests in land by the department of conservation and recreation and for associated costs, including planning, study, due diligence, title and appraisal services, site restoration, stewardship, and costs associated with the defense of eminent domain takings for the purpose of protecting significant natural and cultural resources of the commonwealth and enhancing the department’s system of forests, parks and reservations; provided, that funds may be used for development and implementation of a stewardship program on lands under the care and control of the department of conservation and recreation including, but not limited to, resource and land use monitoring, signage, boundary delineation and monitoring, preparation of baseline documentation, stewardship planning, ecological monitoring, and enforcement of conservation restrictions or detection and resolution of encroachments on land owned in fee simple, and repair of damage to property related to illegal uses, including off-road vehicle trespass; provided further, that funds may be used for inventory, restoration and  reclamation of recently acquired land, including demolition of structures, removal of debris, eradication of non-native species, and other services essential to these reclamation efforts; provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended for design and permitting of Phase II of the Urban Neponset Reservation; provided further, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be expended within the Saugus River watershed; provided further, that not less than $197,132 shall be expended for the restoration of stone walls at Luther Hill Park in Spencer; and provided further, that not more than $6,000,000 shall be expended for the acquisition of the Silver Maple Forest in Belmont and Cambridge, for conservation purposes...................... $76,000,000

2800-7012   ..... For natural resource restoration and protection and to ensure compliance with storm water management and the federal Clean Water Act, including enhanced environmental compliance with laws and regulations, and improvements, and costs associated with site assessment, containment, clean-up, control, removal of, or response actions concerning hazardous materials or substances at forests, parks,  reservations and other properties of the department of conservation and recreation............................................................................ $30,000,000

2800-7013 ....... For forest management and conservation purposes on state forests and parks of the department including, but not limited to, a program of habitat improvements, bio-diverse forestry, and wildlife enhancement to forest and parks, boundary and forest road and trail maintenance and restoration for forest management, recreation and fire fighting purposes, forest health projects and inventories, forest green certification, coordination with the department of fish and game, compliance projects, for the department’s program to market and promote ecologically sustainable utilization of the commonwealth’s biomass supplies for renewable energy projects, for the state match for the cooperative federal-state Urban & Community Forestry Program, and for fire suppression activities, fuels management, including prescribed fire to protect biodiversity and rare and endangered species habitat, eradicate invasive species and forests pests and pathogens, and including necessary vehicles and equipment, and other forest management and conservation activities, provided that $670,000 shall be expended for firefighting equipment in the town of Plymouth to support firefighting needs in Myles Standish State Forest.................... $10,000,000

2800-7015  ...... For the protection, preservation and restoration of the commonwealth’s significant natural and historic landscapes, and to provide assistance to cities and towns to further these purposes, including protection and stewardship of long distance trails and greenway corridors; provided, that program activities include, but are not limited to, technical assistance,  preservation, acquisition of interests in land, construction, rehabilitation, public training, preservation maintenance and associated costs; provided further, that there shall be a program to support the department’s mission of natural and cultural resource protection; provided further, that program activities include but are not limited to, scientific analysis, design, construction, rehabilitation, historic structure stabilization, landscape preservation, and archive management;.................................. $12,950,000

2800-7016  ...... For the design, construction, reconstruction,  rehabilitation or removal of department-owned dams, and, subject to rules and regulations of the department, municipal-owned dams, other publicly-owned dams, and other dams for which emergency action is required and related facilities and equipment; provided, that the department of conservation and recreation shall give priority to dams and flood control projects which pose the greatest risk to public health, safety or the environment, subject to rules and regulations of the department, and for a program of planning, permitting and construction of fish ways and other aquatic habitat improvements, including the removal or breaching of selected dams and impoundments on land under the care, custody and control of the department; provided further, that not more than $1,500,000 shall be expended for the repair and removal of Whitney Pond Dam; provided further, that not more than $1,500,000 shall be expended for the repair and rehabilitation of the Whitney Pond Dam in Winchendon; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended on the Williams Pond Dam in Winchendon; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended on a feasibility study at Forge Dam Pond in Kingston; provided further, that not less than $390,000 shall be expended for repairs to the Squannacook River Dam in Groton; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for repairs to the dam at Flint Pond in Tyngsborough; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the Newburyport Joppa Flats Boat Launch; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for drainage for a culvert on Old  Ferry Road to mitigate years of flooding on Frye road in town of Methuen; provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended for the construction of a dam at Van Horn Park in Springfield; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the design and repair of Newton Pond Dam in Shrewsbury; provided further, that not less than $1,300,000 shall be expended for repairs to the Sheppard Pond Dam in Canton; provided further, that $2,500,000 shall be expended to examine and implement proposed flood mitigation projects along the Aberjona River and Mystic Lakes in the Town of Winchester; provided further, that not less than $3,350,000 be expended for phase II inspections and emergency repairs to the Notch reservoir and Mount Williams Reservoir Dams in the city of North Adams; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended for repairs and renovations to the East Windsor Dam in the town of Dalton; provided further that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended for the Town Brook dams in Plymouth; provided further, that not less than $48,000 shall be expended for repair of the dam at Johnson’s Pond in Raynham; provided further, that not less than $1,900,000 shall be expended for the reconstruction of the Rexhame drainage system in Marshfield; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for repairs and renovations to the East Windsor Dam in Dalton; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for reconstruction of the Granville Reservoir Dam; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for design, permits and inspections of Lake Wyola Dam in Shutesbury; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for repairs, maintenance, and operation of Lake Maspenock Dam in Hopkinton; provided further, that not less than $2,700,000 shall be expended for environmental restoration of Milford Pond in Milford; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended for repair and stabilization of the Connecticut River Dike in Hatfield; provided further, that $250,000 shall be expended for the ecosystem restoration project and dam removal on the Green River in the city of Greenfield; provided further, that $100,000 shall be expended for dam repairs in Medway; and provided further, that $800,000 shall be expended for design, repair and safety stabilization of the Connecticut river dike in the town of Hadley…………............................................ $31,500,000.

2800-7017  ...... For the support of the protection and rehabilitation of the lakes and ponds and associated watersheds including, but not limited to, assistance and grant programs under sections 37A to 37D, inclusive, of chapter 21 of the General Laws;  provided, that program activities shall include, but not be limited to, technical assistance, studies, preservation, environmental improvements and associated costs  and for a program to provide for the registration of persons engaged in the business of drilling or digging wells and assuring adherence to professional standards in well construction in order to protect the ground water resources of the commonwealth and the consumers, including the provision of technical assistance to boards of health and the regulated community and the  provision of ongoing education to well drillers and others, coordination with the office of the state geologist, including associated costs............ $5,000,000

2800-7018 ....... To provide state coordination with a cooperative federal-state program with the United States Geological Survey, Department of Interior, for continuous data collection and analysis, including the operation of the statewide stream flow and ground water level monitoring networks standards and web sites, and to fund studies of current water resources research on stream flow and groundwater resource management, watershed studies, stream gauges, basin studies and topical studies and other related hydrologic studies and activities........................................................................................... $25,000,000

2800-7019........ For the development of long-range capital improvement plans, designs, and related engineering specifications to improve and rehabilitate department properties and facilities, including but not limited to the resource management planning process under section 2F of chapter 21 of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for the Mystic River Master Plan......................................................................... $5,000,000

2800-7022 ....... For the purpose of protecting and conserving the ecological and economic integrity of the commonwealth's privately held forestlands, including but not limited to acquisition of interests in land including easements, agreements, rights of first refusal and covenants; for a forestry conservation restriction program to acquire conservation restrictions under section 31 of chapter 184 for private working forests actively devoted to sustainable forestry, and classified as forest land under section 2 of chapter 61 of the General Laws, in order to encourage sustainable forestry, protect prime forest land, and help the viability and affordability of sustainable forestry; provided, that working forest conservation restrictions shall be held by the department of agriculture or the department of conservation and recreation or the municipality in which the land is located; provided further, that projects shall be rated based on the suitability of land to grow forest products, the fair market value of the land as determined by independent appraisers, proximity to other protected working forests, management history of the project to serve as a model of sustainable forestry and the degree to which the conservation restriction would serve to preserve and make affordable the practice of sustainable forestry in the commonwealth; and for grants to public and non-public organizations and private landowners for education, technical assistance, forest stewardship practices, enhancement of ecosystem services and carbon sequestration, estate planning, interests in land or associated land acquisition costs; grants to private forest landowners, forest businesses and non-profits for the forest viability program for enhancing sustainable economic benefits of forests, including business plans and implementation grants and no-development covenants to be held by the department of agriculture or the department of conservation and recreation,  including but not limited to forest management plans for private landowners; provided, that projects and funding shall be approved by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs; and provided further, that projects may be carried out in cooperation with other governmental agencies, private landowners, and conservation organizations according to management agreements approved by the secretary........................................................................ $4,000,000

2800-7097  ...... For the design, construction, reconstruction, improvement or rehabilitation of department or navigable coastal and inland waterways projects, including but not limited to coastal protection, structures, dredging, rivers and stream cleaning, coastal structure maintenance, piers, dune stabilization, culvert repair, re-nourishment, erosion control and waterfront access and transportation improvements  and related facilities and equipment; provided further that not less than $100,000 shall be provided to the town of Lynnfield for the purposes of conducting an environmental impact study on flooding and drainage issues at Reedy Meadow that also impact the communities of Wakefield, Saugus and Lynn; provided further, that $3,000,000 shall be expended for the dredging of Plymouth Harbor; provided further, that $2,500,000 shall be expended for the costs of sand restoration and erosion control and prevention necessary for the protection of roadway and utility infrastructure on Plum island in the town of Newbury and the city of Newburyport; provided further, that not less than $2,250,000 shall be expended for dredging of Hingham Harbor; and provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended for the repair or replacement of the Seaview Avenue seawalls in the town of Oak Bluffs or the installation of a coastal dune system in lieu thereof.................. $22,250,000

2840-7014  ...... For the design, construction, reconstruction, removal, improvement or rehabilitation of department reservations, forests, parks, harbor islands, skating rinks, swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, other recreational facilities, beaches and related facilities, storage buildings, office buildings and other parks buildings and equipment and for the planning, design, construction, repair, reconstruction,  rehabilitation, or improvement of department bike paths, greenways, recreational trails, and related facilities and equipment; provided, that not more than $1,250,000 shall be expended for restoration and reconstruction of the former superintendent’s house at Wachusett Mountain State Park; provided further, that not more than $6,300,000 shall be expended for maintenance, repairs, and construction at the Connors Pool in Waltham; provided further, that $40,000 shall be expended for the construction and maintenance of trails in the town of Bourne; provided further, that not less than $15,000,000 be expended for the planning, design, and maintenance of bike paths, facilities and greenways for the bicycle recreating public; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the renovations to public parks in Spencer; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for improvements to the pond and beach at Howe State Park in Spencer; provided further, that not more than $150,000 be expended for renovations, repairs, or replacement at the Crosby Mansion and Cape House; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for improvements at Manning state forest in the town of Billerica; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended for ice bed system replacement and HVAC and roof repairs at the Veterans’ Memorial Hockey Rink in the city of Somerville; provided further, that not less than $5,500,000 shall be expended for parking lot and road reconstruction at the Mount Wachusett state reservation; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for clean up, planning and design of a multi-use recreational field within or adjacent to the Blue Hills Reservation in the town of Canton; provided further, that $3,405,000 shall be expended for improvements at Breakheart Reservation, including developing a master plan for the Breakheart Reservation area, rebuilding the barn as a green educational center, repairing the flume, adding playground equipment, covered picnic shelters, lifeguard chairs, a shuttle, a solar-powered circulator for Silver Lake, and permanent bathrooms, a changing and first aid station, and concession building by Silver Lake, improving Bark Place, repairing fire equipment, improving public safety within the designated swimming areas, including those areas at Camp Nihan, and improvements at Camp Nihan, including insulating walls and replacing windows in cabins, replacing woodstoves, and adding a solar-powered circulator for Peckham Pond, energy-efficient heating in Sprague Lodge, refrigeration units, backup power, and a wind-powered 110-volt system; provided further, that that not less than $1,000,000 shall be provided for the purpose of partially matching federal coastal wetland restoration projects within the Rumney Marshes Area of Critical Environmental Concern; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended within the layout of the former Saugus Branch railroad, including developing a master plan, a multi-use trail, and the design and construction of park improvements on the Bacon property in Saugus; provided further, that that not less than $250,000 shall be provided to develop an open space protection plan for the Saugus River and its tributaries, including studies to improve flood and storage capacity and to protect public water supplies; provided further, that not less than $800,000 shall be expended for the waterfront restoration project in Watertown; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for athletic fields in Walpole; provided further, that not less than $5,659,000 shall be expended for construction of a permanent ice skating rink in Jamaica Plain; provided further that not less than $4,400,000 shall be expended for the construction and rehabilitation of the Melnea Cass rink and pool in Boston as an enclosed public roller-skating rink; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for enhancements to Horseneck Beach State Reservation, including construction and rehabilitation of the Horseneck Beach campgrounds and Gooseberry Island; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended at Fort Phoenix State Reservation; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended for restoration of and equipment for the Schooner Ernestina; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for improvements to Houghton’s Pond athletic fields;  provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for capital improvements to the Trailside Museum; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the construction of a trail system connecting to Crane’s beach in Ipswich; provided further, that $1,600,000 shall be expended for the Salisbury Beach boardwalk; provided further, that $1,000,000 shall be expended for the Newburyport waterfront park; provided further, that $2,800,000 shall be expended for the Newburyport boardwalk; provided further, that $200,000 shall be expended for building repairs and the installation of an equipment shed at the Great Falls Discovery Center, provided further, that $280,000 shall be expended for repairs to the 3 level observation deck and replacement of guard rails at Mount Sugarloaf State Park; provided further, that not less than $700,000 shall be expended for the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust Concord River Greenway; provided further, that $1,500,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation and site improvements to the Brook Farm historic site in the West Roxbury section of the city of Boston; provided further, that $2,000,000 shall be expended for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and site improvements of the Thompson Center in the Hyde Park section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for renovations at the Marine Park bathhouse in South Boston; provided further, that $925,000 shall be expended for renovation and reconstruction of the Surf Drive Bath House and the Old Silver Beach Bath House in Falmouth; and provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended on rehabilitation to Palmer’s Island Lighthouse........ $220,700,000

2840-7017  ...... For the design, construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement or rehabilitation of flood control facilities and water resource protection related facilities of the department, including its various pump stations and structures; provided, that $180,000 shall be provided for the installation of a biofilter system at the Woodland Street Pump Station in the town of West Boylston ................... $30,000,000

Division of Energy Resources

9300-7909 ....... For the energy conservation improvement program under section 11 of chapter 25A of the General Laws; provided, that funds in this item shall be allocated from time to time by the commissioner of energy resources for the purposes of the energy audit program, the energy conservation improvement program, and the alternative energy property program, and for other programs that increase energy efficiency and the deployment of renewable resources at public facilities; provided further, that when expending these funds, the commissioner shall take into consideration, among other relevant factors, the amount of available state and federal financial resources, the needs of each program with respect to public buildings and facilities, the volume of requests or expected requests from other entities for assistance under each program, the expected costs and public benefits of each program and, after information has become available from the energy audit program, the priorities and needs indicated by that information; provided further, that funds shall be expended on the buildings and facilities owned by public entities; and provided further, that grants may be issued for the purposes of this item............................................................. $13,250,000

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
University of MassachusettsAmherst

7100-0299........ For the state geologist, provided, that funds from this item may be allocated for the purposes of leveraging additional federal funds to support bedrock, fracture, and geologic surface mapping, natural hazards mapping, and subsurface data preservation in support of the commonwealth’s interest in gathering and disseminating geologic information;, provided that funds from this item may also be used to support the dissemination of geologic information in digital form........................................................................................... $2,500,000

SECTION 3. To provide for a statewide program of improvement and preservation of the transportation assets of the commonwealth owned, managed, and maintained by the department of conservation and recreation, the sums set forth in section 4, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in that section, are hereby made available, subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds, which sums are in addition to amounts previously appropriated for these purposes.

SECTION 4.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
Department of Conservation and Recreation

2890-7010 ....... For the design, construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement, or rehabilitation of department of conservation and recreation parkways, boulevards, bridges and related appurtenances and equipment including, but not limited to, the costs of engineering and other services for those projects rendered by department of conservation and recreation employees or by consultants; provided, that funds may be expended for pedestrian and bicycle safety, traffic calming, landscape improvements, street lighting, and safety equipment; provided further, that all work funded by this item shall be carried out according to standards developed by the department of conservation and recreation pursuant to historic parkways preservation treatment guidelines to protect the scenic and historic integrity of the bridges and parkways under its control; provided further, that not less than $1,300,000 shall be expended for sidewalk and drainage improvements to the Lynn Fells Parkway in Saugus; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the repair of streetlamps on the Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford; provided further, that not less than $420,000 shall be expended for design and construction of a traffic light at the intersection of Grove Street and Greenough Boulevard in Watertown; and provided further, that not less than $900,000 shall be expended to complete Phase I of Blue Hills Parkway improvements  ..................................................................... $75,000,000 

SECTION 4A.  Chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 35HH the following section:-

Section 35II.  (a) There shall be established the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund to be used, without further appropriation, for the long-term preservation and maintenance of Salisbury Beach. Any balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point during a fiscal year.

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of conservation and recreation shall impose a surcharge of $2 upon each fee charged and collected from admission into, camping, and parking in, the Salisbury Beach Reservation. The additional monies collected from the surcharge shall be deposited into the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund.

SECTION 5.  Section 14 of chapter 61A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 11, the words “forest use of” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- agricultural or horticultural use of such.

SECTION 6.  Section 9 of chapter 61B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 11, the words “forest use of such land” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- use and care of such land for recreational purposes.

SECTION 7.  Section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(o)(1) As used in this subsection, the following words shall have the following meanings:-

“Bargain sale”, the sale of an interest in real property by a taxpayer at a cost below appraised market value, when a portion of the value of the interest in real property is a qualified donation, as such term is defined herein and which meets the requirements of section 1011(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 "Certified land", an interest in real property, the donation or bargain sale of which has first been determined by the secretary of environmental affairs to be in the public interest for natural resource protection including, but not limited to, drinking water supplies, wildlife habitat and biological diversity, agricultural and forestry production, recreational opportunities, archaeological and historical resources, or scenic and cultural values; provided, however, that the secretary of environmental affairs shall assure that all certified lands are protected in perpetuity. 
 
  "Interest in real property", any right in real property in the commonwealth, with or without improvements thereon, or water including, but not limited to, fee simple, life estate, restriction, easement, covenant, condition, partial interest, remainder, future interest, lease, license, mineral right, riparian right or other interest or right in real property that may be conveyed concerning the power to transfer property.

"Public or private conservation agency", the commonwealth, or any subdivision thereof, or any municipality, or private nonprofit corporation organized for the purposes of land conservation, which is authorized to do business in the commonwealth, and which has tax-exempt status as a nonprofit charitable organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 “Qualified donation,” a donation, or the donated portion of a bargain sale, made in perpetuity of a fee interest in real property or a less-than-fee interest in real property, including a conservation restriction, agricultural preservation restriction or watershed preservation restriction, pursuant to chapter 184, provided that such less-than-fee interest meets the requirements of qualified conservation contributions under section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 “Taxpayer,” a taxpayer subject to the income tax under this chapter.

(2) A taxpayer making a qualified donation of certified land to a public or private conservation agency shall be allowed a credit against the taxes imposed by this chapter. The credit shall be equal to 50 per cent of the fair market value of the qualified donation. The amount of the credit that may be claimed by a taxpayer for each qualified donation shall not exceed $50,000.   

(3) The fair market value of certified land shall be substantiated by a qualified appraisal, as defined in United States Treasury Regulation section 1.170A-13(c)(3), and shall be prepared by a qualified appraiser, as defined in United States Treasury Regulation section 1.170A-13(c)(5).  For any taxpayer to qualify for the credit provided for in subdivision (2), the taxpayer shall at the same time that the taxpayer files a return for the taxable year in which the credit is claimed, file with the department a summary of a qualified appraisal or, if requested by said department, the taxpayer shall submit the appraisal itself.

(4) In any one tax year, the credit used may not exceed the amount of tax liability otherwise owed by the taxpayer.  The tax credit shall be taken against the taxes imposed under this chapter and shall not be refundable. Any amount of the credit that exceeds the tax due for a taxable year may be carried forward by the taxpayer to any of the 10 subsequent tax years.

(5) All or any tax credits issued in accordance with this section may be in addition to any charitable deductions claimed on the taxpayer’s federal income tax return for the same qualified donations of certified lands.

(6) Any taxpayer claiming a state income tax or excise tax credit under this section may not claim an additional state income tax credit or deduction during any one tax year for costs related to the same interest in certified lands.

(7) Any tax credits which arise under this section from the qualified donation of certified land by a pass-through tax entity such as a trust, estate, partnership, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability corporation, subchapter S organization, or other fiduciary, shall be used either by such entity in the event it is the taxpayer on behalf of such entity or by the member, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, as the case may be, in proportion to its interest in such entity in the event that income, deductions, and tax liability passes through such entity to such member, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary.  Such tax credits may not be claimed by both the entity and the member, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, for the same conveyance.

(8) Any tax credits which arise under this chapter from the qualified donations of certified land by a married couple shall be used only if the spouses file a joint return, if both spouses are required to file Massachusetts income tax returns.  If only one spouse is required to file a Massachusetts income tax return, that spouse may claim the credit allowed by this chapter on a separate return.

SECTION 8.  Chapter 63 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 38W the following section:-

Section 38X.  (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:-

“Bargain sale”, the sale of an interest in real property by a taxpayer at a cost below appraised market value, when a portion of the value of the interest in real property is a qualified donation, as such terms are defined herein, and which meets the requirements of section 1011(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"Certified land", an interest in real property, the donation or bargain sale of which has first been determined by the secretary of environmental affairs to be in the public interest for natural resource protection including, but not limited to, drinking water supplies, wildlife habitat and biological diversity, agricultural and forestry production, recreational opportunities, archaeological and historical resources, or scenic and cultural values; provided, however, that the secretary of environmental affairs shall assure that all certified lands are protected in perpetuity. 

"Interest in real property", any right in real property in the commonwealth, with or without improvements thereon, or water, including, but not limited to, fee simple, life estate, restriction, easement, covenant, condition, partial interest, remainder, future interest, lease, license, mineral right, riparian right, or other interest or right in real property that may be conveyed concerning the power to transfer property.

"Public or private conservation agency," the commonwealth, or any subdivision thereof, or any municipality, or private nonprofit corporation organized for the purposes of land conservation, which is authorized to do business in the commonwealth, and which has tax-exempt status as a nonprofit charitable organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Qualified donation,” a donation, or the donated portion of a bargain sale, made in perpetuity of a fee interest in real property or a less-than-fee interest in real property, including a conservation restriction, agricultural preservation restriction or watershed preservation restriction, pursuant to chapter 184, provided that such less-than-fee interest meets the requirements of qualified conservation contributions under section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“Taxpayer,” a taxpayer subject to the income tax under this chapter.

(b) A taxpayer making a qualified donation of certified land to a public or private conservation agency shall be allowed a credit against the taxes imposed by this chapter. The credit shall be equal to 50 percent of the fair market value of the qualified donation. The amount of the credit that may be claimed by a taxpayer for each qualified donation shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars. 

(c) The fair market value of certified land shall be substantiated by a qualified appraisal, as defined in United States Treasury Regulation section 1.170A-13(c)(3), and shall be prepared by a Qualified Appraiser, as defined in United States Treasury Regulation section 1.170A-13(c)(5).  For any taxpayer to qualify for the credit provided for in subsection (b) of this section, the taxpayer shall at the same time as the taxpayer files a return for the taxable year in which the credit is claimed, file with the department a summary of a qualified appraisal or, if requested by said department, the taxpayer shall submit the appraisal itself.

(d) In any one tax year the credit used may not exceed the amount of tax liability otherwise owed by the taxpayer.  The tax credit shall be taken against the taxes imposed under this chapter and shall not be refundable. Any amount of the credit that exceeds the tax due for a taxable year may be carried forward by the taxpayer to any of the 10 subsequent taxable years.  

(e) Any tax credits issued in accordance with this section may be in addition to any charitable deductions claimed on the taxpayer’s federal income tax return for the same qualified donations of certified lands.

(f) Any taxpayer claiming a state income tax or excise tax credit under this section may not claim an additional state income tax credit or deduction during any one tax year for costs related to the same interest in certified lands.

(g) Any tax credits which arise under this section from the qualified donation of certified land by a pass-through tax entity such as a trust, estate, partnership, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability corporation, subchapter S organization, or other fiduciary, shall be used either by such entity in the event it is the taxpayer on behalf of such entity or by the member, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, as the case may be, in proportion to its interest in such entity in the event that income, deductions, and tax liability passes through such entity to such member, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary.  Such tax credits may not be claimed by both the entity and the member, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, for the same conveyance.

SECTION 9.  To meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth, in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time, but not exceeding, in the aggregate, the sum of $1,348,680,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth, as aforesaid, shall be designated on their face, Preservation and Improvement of Environmental Assets Loan Act of 2008, and shall be issued for a maximum terms of years, not exceeding 30 years, that the governor may recommend to the general court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All these bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2043. All interest and payments on account of principal of these obligations shall be payable from the General Fund unless otherwise specified. Bonds and interest on bonds issued under the authority of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of this act, shall be general obligations of the commonwealth.

SECTION 10. To meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 4, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time, but not exceeding, in the aggregate, the sum of $325,000,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth, as aforesaid, shall be designated on their face, Environmental Transportation Assets Loan Act of 2008 and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not to exceed 30 years, which the governor may recommend to the general court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All these bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2043. All interest and payments on account of principal of these obligations shall be payable from the General Fund unless otherwise specified. Bonds and interest on bonds issued under the authority of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of this act, shall be general obligations of the commonwealth.

SECTION 11. Each agency acquiring land or an interest in land under section 2 may expend an amount not to exceed 5 per cent of the amount appropriated to that agency in section 2 for the purpose of reimbursing nonprofit land conservation organizations or land trusts for reasonable expenses directly associated with the acquisition of land or interests in land subsequently conveyed to the commonwealth. Reimbursements shall be made at the discretion of the agency. The secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall determine by regulation what shall constitute reasonable expenses. If the commonwealth does not take title to the property through no fault of the nonprofit organization or the commonwealth, the commonwealth may reimburse the nonprofit organization for reasonable expenses associated with due diligence. An organization receiving a reimbursement under this section shall convey the land or interest in land to the agency for an amount not to exceed the actual purchase price paid by the organization for the land or interest in land in addition to any reimbursement received under this section.

SECTION 12. No amounts authorized in section 2 shall be used by a recipient municipality for the supplementing or supplanting of normal operating expenses of any function of the municipality.

SECTION 13. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds may be expended for services rendered by agency employees or by consultants necessary to support projects authorized in section 2 and section 4. 

SECTION 14. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary,  upon acquiring any fee interest in land for purposes within Article XCVII of the Amendments to the Constitution, all state agencies, commissions and boards expending or receiving state funds under this act shall obtain the approval of the secretary of energy and environmental affairs before implementing or endorsing any prohibition of fishing, hunting or trapping on that land and shall provide the secretary with written justification of the prohibition.

SECTION 15.  Notwithstanding section 30 of chapter 29 of the General Laws or section 65 of chapter 30 of the General Laws, a portion of the funds authorized in section 2 may be used for the costs associated with the purchase of title insurance and services for title examinations, reports and certifications.

SECTION 16.  All expenditures from items in section 2 authorized as grants to non-public entities shall be expended for public purposes and shall comply with Article 103 of the Amendments to the Constitution and 815 CMR 2.00. 

SECTION 17.  The water pollution abatement trust established under chapter 29C of the General Laws may make a loan to the city of Worcester for the components within the city of the project described in Department of Conservation and Recreation Waste Water Project No. WM93-001-SIA, Waste Water Facilities Plan West Boylston- Holden-Wachusett Reservoir Project, which are on the department of environmental protection’s intended use plan for calendar year 2008.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commonwealth shall provide contract assistance to the trust under section 6 or section 6A of said chapter 29C in each fiscal year of the commonwealth in amounts sufficient to provide a subsidy or other assistance to the trust for all of the debt service payable on the loan.

SECTION 18.  The division of marine fisheries shall make expenditures provided for in item 2300-7018 of section 2 of this act for a shore-based monitoring program of federally-managed fisheries for herring and mackerel within the commonwealth in accordance with this section.

The division shall make such expenditures and operate the program under the direction of an oversight committee, which shall consist of the 9 members of the marine fisheries advisory commission and 1 additional member who shall be a chairperson appointed by the secretary of environmental affairs.  The division shall report annually to the oversight committee on program performance and expenditures.

All vessels in federally-managed herring and mackerel fisheries landing catch in the commonwealth shall offload the catch only under the supervision of certified shore-based fishery observers who are either commonwealth employees or independent third-party contractors, who will ensure that, at minimum, the following data are collected, recorded, and made available to the public in summarized fashion within 48 hours in an easily understood format that is consistent with national marine fisheries service requirements for the protection of individual vessel and dealer privacy: 1) actual weights of all landed target catch, incidental catch and bycatch, using methods approved by the division of standards; and 2) a breakdown, by species, of the composition of the entire landed catch by actual weight, landed catch to include all fish offloaded whether or not retained for processing.

For the purposes of this section, a certified shore-based fishery observer means someone who has been certified by the commonwealth or the national marine fisheries service under the observer certification guidelines outlined in 50 CFR Part 648.11, or the equivalent as approved by the program oversight committee, and who has no financial interest related to any small mesh pelagic fishery.

SECTION 19. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the unexpended and unencumbered balances of the bond funded authorizations in the following accounts shall cease to be available for expenditure: 2240-9101, 2240-9105, 2240-9106, 2240-9107, 2890-0012, 2250-8881, 2260-9882, 2820-7882, 2820-8881, 2820-8882, 2820-8883, 2840-8886, 2840-8889, 2890-0013, 2890-0014, 2890-0015, 2890-0016, 2820-8936, 2800-0950, 2800-0951, 2800-0952, 2820-8951, 2840-8950, 2840-8952, 2840-8956, 2850-9951, 2890-0017, 2890-0019, 2260-9965, 2895-8968, 2000-7968, 2000-9963, 2200-8969, 2250-9959, 2300-7967, 2300-8961, 2300-8970, 2320-8960, 2320-8978, 2800-1961, 2820-8960, 2820-8961, 2840-8963, 2840-8965, 2850-6966, 2850-6967, 2850-9969, 2896-8967, 2820-6996, 2840-9990, 2895-8998, 2000-1997, 2000-7992, 2000-7993, 2300-7991, 2300-7992, 2800-1122, 2800-7991, 2800-7992, 2800-7993,  2800-7994 2820-1420, 2840-7991, 2840-7992, 2840-7993, 2840-7994.

 SECTION 20.  (a) There shall be a special water infrastructure finance commission to develop a comprehensive, long-range water infrastructure finance plan for the commonwealth and its municipalities.

(b) The commission shall consist of the commissioner of environmental protection or his designee, the state treasurer or his designee, 1 member of the senate; 1 member of the house of representatives; 1 person to be appointed by the president of the senate and 1 person to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, each of whom shall be a representative of a planning organization, environmental consumer organization or other public interest organization; 1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate and 1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the house, each of whom shall be from different geographic regions of the commonwealth and who shall be representatives of the business community; a representative of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission; and 9 persons to be appointed by the governor who shall not be employees of the executive branch and who shall reside in different geographic regions of the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Utility Contractors Association of New England, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Waterworks Association, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1 of whom shall be a representative of Clean Water Action, 1 of whom shall be a representative of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Conservation Law Foundation and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Water Pollution Control Association. The aforementioned organizations shall provide a list of at least 3 but not more than 5 candidates for consideration by the governor. Each of the members shall be an expert or shall have experience in the field of law or public policy, water, wastewater or storm water planning, design and construction of water, wastewater or storm water projects, utility management, management consulting or organizational finance; provided, however, that at least 1 member shall have expertise in organizational finance. The governor shall designate a member to serve as the chairperson of the commission but the chairperson shall not be the commissioner of environmental protection, the state treasurer or their designees.  The members of the commission shall be appointed not later 90 days after the effective date of this act and serve until the completion of the long-range infrastructure finance plan.
(c) In the course of its deliberations, the commission shall make it a priority to examine the technical and financial feasibility of sustaining, integrating and expanding public water systems, conservation and efficiency programs, wastewater systems and storm water systems of municipalities and the commonwealth, including regional or district systems. Further, the commission shall: (1) examine the water infrastructure needs of the commonwealth for the next 25 years as they relate to the funding gap between the water infrastructure needs of the commonwealth and the existing, available sources of funding; (2) develop mechanisms for additional funding for water infrastructure by increasing investment in critical water, wastewater, storm water and water conservation infrastructure; (3) provide mechanisms for improvements in the handling and management of water programs; (4) examine the potential threats to public health and public safety from the existing shortfalls in funding for water infrastructure; (5) examine and develop recommendations on ways in which the commonwealth and its municipalities may meet operation and maintenance, and capital improvement and reconstruction needs for the next 25 years including, without limitation, recommendations regarding debt reduction, enhancing existing sources of revenues, developing new sources of revenues, establishing new incentives for public-private partnerships in the development of real property resources and funding resources; and (6) examine the expanded use of full accounting systems and enterprise funding, asset management systems and best management practices, compliance with chapter 21G of the General Laws and Massachusetts water policy, and current federal and state funding programs.
The commission shall examine the finances of the various municipalities and regional water districts, including state and federal aid levels, and make recommendations for improvements to financial policies and procedures. The commission shall identify areas where cost savings can be achieved across water agencies by consolidation, coordination and reorganization. The commission shall examine the projected federal funding, projected state funding, projected local funding, projected fee-based funding, debt financing and any other sources of projected funding to finance water infrastructure needs identified by the commission.
(d) The commission shall develop recommendations as to what funding or finance measures the commonwealth or its municipalities may pursue to satisfy any unmet funding needs identified by the commission. The recommendations shall also include any recommendation for interagency agreements, intermunicipal agreements, consolidations or mergers to enable the commonwealth and its municipalities to make the most effective use of water funding resources. The recommendations shall identify fair and equitable means of financing water infrastructure investments through taxes, fees, user charges or other sources.
(e) The commission may hold public hearings to assist in the collection and evaluation of data and testimony.
(f) The commission shall prepare a written report detailing its financials relative to identified funding sources and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect. The commission shall submit its initial report to the governor, the secretary of environmental affairs, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the environment not later than 2 years after the effective date of this act.
(g) Any research, analysis or other staff support that the commission reasonably requires shall be provided by the executive office of environmental affairs and its agencies, with assistance from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

SECTION 21.  Notwithstanding sections 8B to 8D of chapter 21 of the General Laws or chapter 21G of the General Laws or any general or special law to the contrary, any withdrawal of water greater than 5,000 gallons per day from any water source for the purposes of bottling the water for retail sale shall be prohibited.  Said prohibition shall take effect upon its passage and shall expire on January 1, 2010 or when the department of environmental protection adopts regulations regarding withdrawals of water, whichever first occurs.

SECTION 22.  (a) The secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall promulgate regulations to define land eligible for certification under subsection (o) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws and under section 38X of chapter 63 of the General Laws.  Such regulations shall be promulgated within 180 days after the effective date of this act.

(b) The secretary of environmental affairs shall, within 5 years after the effective date of this act, prepare a report to the joint committee on revenue and the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture, describing the certified lands conserved under subsection (o) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws and section 38X of chapter 63 of the General Laws.
(c) The commissioner of revenue shall, in consultation with the secretary of energy and environmental affairs, promulgate regulations to administer subsection (o) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws and section 38X of chapter 63 of the General Laws.  Such regulations shall include provisions to prevent the generation of multiple credits with respect to the same property.  Regulations shall be promulgated within 180 days after the effective date of this act.
(d) The commissioner of revenue shall, within 5 years after the effective date of this act, submit a report to the joint committee on revenue and the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture, calculating the annual tax savings under subsection (o) of  section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws and section 38X of chapter 63 of the General Laws.
(e)    There shall be a commission to study the transferability of tax credits under subsection (o) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws and section 38X of chapter 63 of the General Laws.  The commission shall be composed of 9 persons, including the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources, or his designee, who shall serve as chairman; the commissioner of revenue, or his designee; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; a representative of the American Farmland Trust; a representative of the Massachusetts Audubon Society; and a representative of The Nature Conservancy.  The commission shall examine all aspects of transferability including, but not limited to: the status of its application in other states, potential fiscal impacts and potential conservation benefits.  The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations, including any drafts of legislation necessary to put its recommendations into effect, with the joint committee on revenue and the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture on or before January 1, 2011.

SECTION 23.  Nothing in sections 7, 8, or 22 of this act shall be construed to alter or amend any permitting requirements, reporting requirements, allocation procedures or other requirements set forth in any other provision of the General Laws.

SECTION 24.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commonwealth shall not issue any permits to new liquefied natural gas plants that are to be located within 1 mile of a school, hospital, or nursing home. The provisions of this section shall apply to all LNG import terminals constructed after January 1, 2007

SECTION 25.  Subject to appropriation, the secretary of transportation and public works shall create a quiet zone assistance grant program.  Any public authority eligible to apply for the creation of a quiet zone, as defined by the United States Secretary of Transportation pursuant to 49 U.S.C section 20153, may apply for a quite zone assistance grant for financial aid for the improvements necessary to create said quiet zone.  Eligible improvements must meet the standards specified by 49 USC 20153 and the United States secretary of transportation for quiet zones, and may include, but shall not be limited to, 4-quadrant gate systems, gates with medians or channelization devices, 1-way streets with gates, photographic enforcement, programmed enforcements, and public education and awareness programs.  Any public authority may be eligible for a quiet zone assistance grant up to 50 per cent of the total cost to implement a new quiet zone.

 SECTION 26.  (a) Notwithstanding sections 40E to 40J, inclusive of chapter 7 of the General Laws and any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance, in consultation with the commissioner of conservation and recreation, may grant to the city of Lowell or release such real property interests owned by the commonwealth as may be necessary to permit the city of  Lowell to acquire fee interests, easements or other rights for an overhead bridge, pedestrian and vehicular bridges, utility services, and public highway purposes in, over and to certain parcels of land within the Lowell Heritage State Park.  Such real property interests are currently in the care and control of the division of conservation and recreation and are held for recreation and conservation purposes.    Fee interests and easements granted to the city and releases of real property interests may be located within such volumetric areas in the air rights above, and the subsurface areas below, such parcels of land as are necessary for such purposes.  Such fee interests and easements may also include the right to displace the water in the canals within such parcels to install bridge supports and access for the maintenance, repair and replacement of the bridges and utility services.  The areas and volumes of such  fee interests, easements or releases shall be substantially as shown on a plan entitled “Easement Plan of Land Located in Lowell, Massachusetts (Middlesex County)” dated June 5, 2008, prepared by Meridian Associates, Inc. (Sheets 1 and 2).  The fee interests, easements or releases are further described in subparagraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
(1)        Fee interests, easements or releases of interests held by the department of conservation and recreation in parcels A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, B-1 and B-2 may be granted for the purpose of constructing, renovating and maintaining pedestrian and vehicular access bridges and utility services, and other public highway purposes over the Lower Pawtucket Canal.
(2)        Fee interests, easements or releases of interests held by the department of conservation and recreation in Parcels E-1, E-2, F-1, F-2 and F-3 may be granted for the purpose of constructing, renovating and maintaining pedestrian and vehicular access bridges and utility services, and other public highway purposes over the Hamilton Canal.
(3)        Fee interests, easements or releases of interests held by the department of conservation and recreation in Parcels C-1, C-2, G-1 and G-2 may be granted for the purpose of constructing, renovating and maintaining pedestrian access structures and utility services and to provide public access from Jackson Street to the Appelton Mills Building.
(4)        Fee interests, easements or releases of interests held by the department of conservation and recreation in Parcels D-1 and D-2 may be granted for the purpose of renovating and maintaining an existing overhead bridge from the Appleton Mills Building over Jackson Street.
(b) The commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance may make minor modifications to the plan if such modifications are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(c)  The consideration for the grants of fee interests, easements and releases described in subsection (a) shall be $1.  No instrument by or on behalf of the commonwealth, granting the fee interests or easements or releasing interests of the commonwealth as described in said subsection (a) shall be valid unless such instrument provides that the real property which is the subject of such grant of fee interest, easement or release shall be used solely for the purposes described in said subsection (a).  Each grant of fee interest, easement or release shall stipulate that the real property interests granted or released shall revert to the commonwealth to the care and control of the division of conservation and recreation at the option of the commissioner of the division of capital asset management and maintenance if the property ceases to be used for the express purpose set forth in the grant or release instrument.
            (d)  The city of Lowell shall bear the cost of any surveys and other expenses deemed necessary by the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance for the granting of fee interests, easements or releases pursuant to this section. 
(e)  To ensure a no-net-loss of lands protected for conservation and recreation purposes on account of the conveyances and releases authorized in this section, the grantee shall ensure that lands of equal or greater acreage and value, acceptable to the department of conservation and recreation, are permanently protected for such purposes under the ownership of either the city of Lowell or the commonwealth following substantial completion of the project to which the conveyances or releases pertain.

SECTION 27.   The secretary of administration and finance in conjunction with the secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall submit a report on the progress of, and all expenditures related to the projects specified in this act and any other projects funded through the authorizations in this act to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture and the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on bonding, capital expenditures and state assets.  The report shall include, but not be limited to: the total amount appropriated for each project, the total estimated cost of each project, the amount expended for the planning and design of each project up to the time the report is filed, the amount expended on construction of each project up to the time the report is filed, the total amount currently expended on each project, the original estimated completion date of each project, the current anticipated completion date of each project and, if the project has been de-authorized, the reason for and date of de-authorization.  The report shall be submitted on June 30 and December 31 of each year for a period of 8 years after the effective date of this act.

SECTION 28.  Sections 7 and 8 shall be effective for tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2010.  

SECTION 29.  Section 19 shall take effect 90 days after the effective date of this act.