The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Town of Amenia in the face of
population growth, urbanization and technological change, with their
accompanying demands on natural resources, are found to be of increasing
and vital importance to the health, welfare and economic well-being
of present and future inhabitants and require forthright action by
the governing body of the Town of Amenia. It is recognized that the
biologic integrity of the natural environment on which man is dependent
for survival and the natural and functional beauty of our surroundings
which condition the quality of our life experience cannot be protected
without the full cooperation and participation of all the people of
the town working in partnership with local and state officials and
with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations.
The establishment of a conservation commission is a necessary step
in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Amenia hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the "Town of Amenia Conservation Advisory
Council," hereinafter called the "Council."
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Council to act as Chairman thereof. The Council shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in §
9-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be to:
A. Advise
the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation, development
and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions of the
town insofar as quality, biologic integrity, beauty and other environmental
factors are concerned; and in the cases of man's activities and
developments, to advise on any major threats posed to environmental
quality, so as to enhance the long-range value of the environment
to the people of the town.
B. Develop
and, after receiving general approval by resolution of the Town Board,
conduct a program of public information in the community which shall
be designated to foster increased understanding of the nature of environmental
problems and issues and support for their solutions.
C. Conduct
and maintain an inventory of the natural resources within the Town
of Amenia.
D. Maintain,
as reasonably as possible, an up-to-date index of all open spaces,
as defined in § 239-y of the General Municipal Law, in public
or private ownership within the municipality, including but not limited
to natural landmarks; glacial geomorphic or physiographic features;
streams and their floodplains; swamps, marshlands and other wetlands;
unique biotic communities; and scenic and other open areas of natural
ecological value. Such index shall include the ownership and the present
and proposed uses of such open areas so as to provide a base of information
for recommendations by the Council for their preservation and/or use.
E. Seek
to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions
and individuals within the Town of Amenia in accordance with the purposes
of this chapter.
F. Maintain
liaison and communications with public and private agencies and organizations
whose programs and activities have an impact on the quality of the
environment or who can be of assistance to the Council.
G. Working
in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend from time to time
to the Town Board features, plans and programs relating to environmental
improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town of Amenia
and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable
changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental
and land use controls or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
H. Prepare,
print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets in accordance
with the purposes of this chapter.
I. Obtain
and maintain, as reasonably as possible, in orderly fashion maps,
reports, books and other publications to support the necessary researches
of the commission into local environmental conditions.
J. When
authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Amenia,
the Council may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest, or otherwise,
property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of Amenia
as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open
spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries of
the Town of Amenia. Such real property may be accepted in fee for
land and water rights or as any lesser interest, development right
or easement, including conservation easement, covenant or other contractual
right, including conveyance with limitations or reversions.
K. Carry
out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the
Town Board.
The Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings and
actions and shall submit an annual report to the Town Board, not later
than the 31st day of December of each year, concerning the activities
and work of the Council. From time to time, the Council shall submit
such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the
purpose of this chapter.
The members of the Council, including ex officio members, shall
upon resolution of the Town Board, receive compensation for their
services as members thereof. They may be reimbursed for reasonable
and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties
within the appropriations made available therefor.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of Amenia to preserve and improve the quality of the natural
and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants
thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair
the powers of any other public corporation.