Section 11. The department shall undertake such construction and work for the improvement, development, maintenance and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, great ponds, harbors, tide waters, foreshores and shores along a public beach as it deems reasonable and proper, and for this purpose shall have the same powers conferred upon it by section thirty-one. The department, in pursuance of the work authorized, may construct, reconstruct, alter and repair bridges, culverts, conduits, pipes, walls and dams, and may do such other incidental work as may be deemed necessary for the improvement and safety of waterways. In selecting the places to do such work, the department shall consider the general public advantage of the proposed work, the local interest therein as manifested by municipal or other contributions therefor, the importance of the industrial or commercial and other interests to be especially served thereby, and any other material considerations affecting the feasibility, necessity or advantage of the proposed work or the expenditure therefor. No work authorized by this section shall be begun until after a public hearing has been held and a survey and an estimate of the cost has been made.
The department is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for the performance of work necessary on resource conservation and development projects approved for the commonwealth. Said agreements shall be limited to those for which the Soil Conservation Service is authorized to share in the installation cost, including flood prevention measures, agricultural water management, erosion and sediment control measures, fish and wildlife measures and recreation development.
In any project undertaken under the authority of this section, the department is authorized to pay the commonwealth's share of funds to the federal government if the Soil Conservation Service is the contracting agency for the project.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XIV - Public Ways and Works
Section 2 - Duties of Public Works Department Relative to Commonwealth Lands
Section 3 - Powers as to Boston Harbor
Section 4 - Improvement of Boston Harbor; Access to Piers, Railroads, Etc.
Section 5 - Power to Take or Purchase Real Property
Section 6 - Power to Lease Piers, etc.; Port of Boston Fund
Section 7 - Piers, etc.; Freight Loading Equipment; Rules and Regulations
Section 8 - Acquisition of Apple Island and Shore Lands
Section 9 - Utilization Plans for Acquired Property
Section 10 - Powers and Duties Relative to Harbors, Etc.
Section 10c - Docking of Commercial Vessels; Permits; Applications; Appeal
Section 10d - Scuba Divers and Skin Divers; Access to Commonwealth Tidelands
Section 11 - Improvement and Preservation of Rivers, Streams, Harbors, Etc.
Section 12 - License for Structures in Connecticut, Westfield and Merrimack Rivers
Section 13 - Licenses for Booms in Connecticut River and Structures in Great Ponds
Section 15 - Revocation and Expiration of Authority or License; Exception; Mortgageable Interest
Section 16 - Cessation, Determination of Authority or License for Non-Use
Section 17 - Construction of Licenses; Approval
Section 18 - Application for License; Notice; Hearings; Records
Section 18a - Public Access to Great Ponds; Petition
Section 19 - Restriction on Structures in Great Ponds
Section 19a - Lowering Waters of Great Ponds; Penalty
Section 20 - Supervision by Department of Erections Under Legislative Grants
Section 21 - Compensation for Displacement of Tidewater
Section 22 - Compensation When Title to Land Is in Commonwealth
Section 23 - Unauthorized Work in Public Waters; Public Nuisances
Section 24 - Money Paid Into General Fund
Section 25 - Supervision of Province Lands
Section 26 - Exemption of Portion of Province Lands From Certain Provisions of Law
Section 27 - Bounds of Province Lands; Regulations
Section 28 - Unlawful Existing Structures
Section 30 - Removal of Gravel, Sand, Stones, Etc. From Beaches; Notice; Penalty
Section 31 - Surveys and Improvements for Preservation of Harbors
Section 32 - Survey of Connecticut River
Section 33 - Improvement of Topographical Survey of Commonwealth; Sale of Maps
Section 34 - Establishment of Harbor Lines
Section 35 - Great Ponds; Definition
Section 36 - Applications to Congress for Appropriations for Harbors
Section 37 - Enforcement of Stipulations in Deeds From Commonwealth
Section 38 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 38 to 48
Section 39 - Willful Abandonment of Vessel on Public Lands or Shores of the Commonwealth
Section 41 - Failure of Owner or Lienholder to Claim Vessel; Application for Title by Claimant
Section 42 - Granting of Title to Claimant
Section 43 - Removal, Destruction or Sale of Vessel by Claimant After Receipt of Title
Section 43a - Removal of Obstructing Vessel by Department; Department as Claimant
Section 43b - Penalty for Willful Abandonment of Vessel; Exceptions
Section 43c - Fraudulent Claim to Abandoned Vessel; Penalty
Section 43d - Rules and Regulations Relating to Secs. 38 to 43c
Section 44 - Liability of Insurer
Section 45 - Application to Federal Government for Reimbursement
Section 46 - License for Breaking Up and Disposing of Floating Structures
Section 46a - Violations of Sec. 46; Penalty
Section 47 - Application for License; Issuance; Conditions; Bond
Section 48 - Failure to Comply With Terms of License; Completion of Work by Department
Section 49a - Removal of Whales or Other Mammals From Tidewaters
Section 51 - Impairment of Right or Authority Derived From Federal Government
Section 54 - Dumping; Notice; Inspector; Cost of Supervision
Section 55 - Penalty for Violating Secs. 52 to 54
Section 56 - Application of Secs. 52 to 55 to Federal Government and Its Agents
Section 57 - Jurisdiction of Supreme Judicial Court
Section 58 - Arrest Without Warrant
Section 59a - Tort Liability for Discharge or Deposit of Crude Petroleum or Products; Double Damages