SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of fish and game, may take, pursuant to chapter 79 of the General Laws, or otherwise acquire, and the town of Townsend may convey to the department, for the preservation and protection of wildlife habitat, passive recreation and other purposes consistent therewith, all or portions of certain parcels of land located in the town of Townsend along Haynes road, identified in the town of Townsend Assessors Map 44 as block 4 lots 0 and 11, described in a deed recorded with the Middlesex south district registry of deeds at book 53439, page 134 and shown as Open Space Area "A" and Open Space Area "B", respectively, on a plan of land entitled "Locke Estates”, prepared by Ducharme & Wheeler, Inc., recorded with the Middlesex south district registry of deeds as plan 637 for the year 2000.

SECTION 2.  The department of fish and wildlife shall submit an appraisal of the parcels described in section 1 and a report thereon to the inspector general for his review and comment. Within 15 days following submittal, the inspector general shall prepare a report containing his review of the methodology used for the appraisal and shall file the report with the commissioner of the department of fish and game, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the house and senate committees on bonding, capital expenditures and state assets.

SECTION 3.  Costs and expenses associated with the transactions authorized by this act shall be apportioned as agreed by the town of Townsend and the department of fish and game.