The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Village of Lynbrook in the face
of population growth, urbanization and technologic 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 Village of Lynbrook. 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 Village of Lynbrook 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 Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Lynbrook hereby
creates a Council which shall be known as the "Lynbrook Council for
Conservation of the Environment," hereinafter called the "Council."
The Council shall consist of nine members, all of which shall
be appointed by the Village Board of Trustees and who shall serve
at the pleasure of the Village Board of Trustees. Persons residing
within the Village of Lynbrook who are interested in the improvement
and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment
as members of the Council. Vacancies on the Council 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 Village Board
of Trustees, the Chairman of the Planning Board, Commissioner of Public
Works, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Village Attorney and
other officials that may be hereafter designated by the Village Board
of Trustees shall be ex officio members of the Council.
The Mayor shall designate two members of the Council to act as Chairman and Deputy Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Council, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. 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 §
16-6.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be to:
A. Advise the Village Board of Trustees on matters affecting the preservation,
development and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions
of the village 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 village.
B. Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution of the
Village Board of Trustees, conduct a program of public information
in the community, which program 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 Village of Lynbrook 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; 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 Council for their preservation and/or use.
E. Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups,
institutions and individuals within the Village of Lynbrook 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 Council.
G. Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend from time
to time to the Village Board of Trustees appropriate and desirable
changes in 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 Council into
local environmental conditions.
J. When authorized by resolution of the Village of Lynbrook, accept
by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both real
and personal, in the name of the Village of Lynbrook, as may be necessary
to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land
and water resources within the boundaries of the Village of Lynbrook.
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 Village Board of Trustees.
The Council shall submit an annual report to the Village Board
of Trustees not later than the first day of April of each year concerning
the activities and work of the Council 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 Council, 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
Village of Lynbrook 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.