Environment

This bill allows the Commonwealth to grant permanent easements over three specific parcels (about 6,750 sq ft total) along the Merrimack River in Lowell to the city. The easements authorize Lowell to build, maintain, and repair outfall structures and drains for stormwater management. In exchange, the city must compensate the state through property improvements (valued at fair market rate) to nearby conservation land, not cash. The easements revert to the Commonwealth if Lowell stops using them for their intended purpose, and all transactions require independent appraisals and state committee review.