Senate Bill No. 1565, also known as Special Act No. 25-22, authorizes the Commissioner of Transportation to convey four parcels of state land in the town of Sprague to the Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc. The conveyance will occur at a cost equal to 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, and the land will remain under the care of the Department of Transportation until the conveyance is finalized.
The bill stipulates that the Avalonia Land Conservancy must use the parcels for conservation purposes. Should the conservancy fail to utilize the land for these purposes, not retain ownership, or lease 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 Properties Review Board is required to complete its review of the conveyance within thirty days of receiving a proposed agreement from the Department of Transportation.