The Authority, in addition to such other state agencies as the Governor may designate, is empowered, on behalf of and as an agent for the Commonwealth, with the approval of the Governor and after review by the Attorney General, to enter into contractual agreements, known as agreements of local cooperation, developed and tendered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for signature by local nonfederal interests. Specifically, the Authority and other agencies designated by the Governor may contract under such agreements:

1. (1) To provide, free of cost to the United States, the fee simple title to lands, perpetual and/or temporary easements, rights of way and any other interest in lands for cut-off bends, the laying of pipelines, erection of dikes, sluiceways, spillways, dams, drains, deposit of dredged materials, and for other purposes, provided that the conveyance of fee simple title or perpetual easements in subaqueous beds of waterways of the Commonwealth shall require further authorization of the General Assembly;
2. (2) To alter existing structures on such areas;
3. (3) To simultaneously dredge designated areas not covered by the federal project when and where required;
4. (4) To construct and maintain public wharves and public roads leading thereto;
5. (5) To make contributions in money or property in lieu of providing disposal areas for dredged materials;
6. (6) To hold the United States safe and harmless against claims for damages arising out of the project or work incident thereto;
7. (7) To remove sewer pipes and submarine cables;
8. (8) To construct and maintain marine railways for the public use; and

9. (9) To provide or satisfy any other items or conditions of local cooperation as stipulated in the congressional document covering the particular project involved.

   This section shall not be interpreted as limiting but as descriptive of the items of local cooperation, the accomplishment of which the Authority and other designated agencies are hereby authorized to bind themselves, subject to the lawful appropriation of funds required therefor; it being intended to authorize the Authority and other designated agencies to comply fully and completely with all of the items of local cooperation as contemplated by Congress and as stipulated in the congressional acts or documents concerned.

1981, c. 589; 1982, c. 168.