[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandt 3-25-1975
as L.L. No. 1-1975. Sections 15-3B, 15-4 and 15-6 amended at time of adoption
of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where
applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Cortlandt, 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 Cortlandt.
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 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. Establishment
of a commission for conservation of the environment is a necessary step in
fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Cortlandt hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the "Cortlandt Conservation Advisory Council," hereinafter
called the "Cortlandt CAC."
A.
The Cortlandt CAC shall consist of nine (9) members appointed
by the Town Board for terms of two (2) years. The first four (4) members appointed
shall hold office for terms of one (1) year and the second five (5) for terms
of two (2) years, and the successors of all nine (9) initial appointees shall
be appointed for full terms of two (2) years. Persons residing within the
Town of Cortlandt who are interested in the improvement and preservation of
environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the
Cortlandt CAC. Vacancies on the Cortlandt CAC shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other
than by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Cortlandt CAC Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Cortlandt CAC, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Cortlandt CAC 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 § 15-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Cortlandt CAC 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 beauty, quality, biologic integrity and other environmental
factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and developments,
with regard to 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 designed to foster increased understanding of the nature of
environmental problems and issues and support for their solutions.
C.
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of Cortlandt and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this
chapter.
D.
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open
spaces in public or private ownership within the municipality, including but
not limited to natural landmarks; glacial and other geomorphic or physiographic
features; streams and their floodplains, swamps, marshlands and other wetlands;
unique biotic communities; and scenic and other open areas of natural or ecological
value and of the ownership, present use and proposed use of such open areas,
so as to provide a base of information for recommendations by the Commission
for the preservation and/or use of such areas.
E.
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private
groups, institutions and individuals with the Town of Cortlandt, in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F.
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private
agencies and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs
and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can
be of assistance to the Commission.
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 Cortlandt and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable
changes in the existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental
control or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
H.
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and
pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
I.
Obtain and maintain, 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 Cortlandt, accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise property,
both real and personal, in the name of the Town of Cortlandt, 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 Cortlandt. Such real
property may be accepted in fee for land and water rights or as any lesser
interest, development right, 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 Board.
The Cortlandt CAC shall submit an annual report to the Town Board, not
later than December 31 of each year, concerning the activities and work of
the Commission and, from time to time, shall submit such reports and recommendations
as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
The members of the Cortlandt CAC, including ex officio members, shall
receive no compensation for their services as members thereof but 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
Cortlandt 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.
