Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is forthwith to acquire land for the expansion of Douglas state forest, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The commissioner of the division of capital planning and operations shall acquire by negotiation a certain parcel of land located in the town of Douglas for the purpose of expanding the Douglas state forest. Said parcel is comprised of Map 25 Lot 1, Map 25 Lot 3, Map 18 Lot 6 and Map 18 Lot 7 of the assessors maps of the town of Douglas. Said commissioner shall offer the owner the amount determined by the appraisal prepared by Coopers and Lybrand LLP dated April 9, 1998. If said offer is not accepted within 60 days of its tender, it shall be null and void and said commissioner shall take action as provided in section 2.

SECTION 2. The commissioner of the division of capital planning and operations shall acquire by eminent domain under the provisions of chapter 79 of the General Laws the land described in section 1.

The offer of settlement under section 39 of said chapter 79 or the pro-tanto payment under section 8A of said chapter 79 shall be based on the appraisal cited in section 1.