Senate Bill No. 1565, also known as Special Act No. 25-22, authorizes the Commissioner of Transportation to convey four specific parcels of state land in Sprague to the Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc. The conveyance will occur at a cost that covers only the administrative expenses associated with the transfer. The parcels vary in size, with the largest being approximately 36.6 acres and the smallest at about 0.02 acres. The transfer is contingent upon the approval of the State Properties Review Board, which must complete its review within thirty days of receiving the proposed agreement from the Department of Transportation.
The bill stipulates that the Avalonia Land Conservancy must utilize the land for conservation purposes. Should the conservancy fail to do so, or if it does not retain ownership or leases any part of the parcels, the land will revert to the state. Additionally, the bill includes provisions that prohibit any construction or development within the floodplain areas of the parcels, ensuring compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program requirements. The State Treasurer is tasked with executing the necessary deeds for the conveyance, which will also include provisions to uphold the conservation and floodplain restrictions outlined in the bill.