The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and human-made environment within the Village of Kinderhook,
in the face of population growth, urbanization and technological change
with their accompanying demands on the 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 Kinderhook.
It is recognized that the biological integrity of the natural environment,
of which humans are dependent for survival, 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 working in partnership with local
and state officials and with various public and private institutions,
agencies and organizations. Establishment of a Council for the conservation
of the environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action
on environmental problems.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Kinderhook
hereby creates a Council which shall be known as the "Village of Kinderhook
Conservation Advisory Council," hereafter called the "Council."
At the first meeting of the Council, its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary, who shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in §
8-6 of this chapter. The Council shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be
to:
A. Advise the governing body on matters affecting the
preservation, development and use of the natural and human-made features
and conditions of the municipality insofar as beauty, quality, biological
integrity and other environmental factors are concerned and, in the
case of human activities and development, 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 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 to support
their solutions.
C. Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and human-made features within the municipality and such other studies
and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purpose of
this chapter.
D. Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index on all open
spaces in public or private ownership within the municipality, including
but not limited to natural landmarks 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 Council for their preservation and/or use.
E. Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of
private groups, institutions and individuals within the municipality
in accord with the purpose 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 governing body features, plans and programs
relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Village
Comprehensive Plan and, similarly, recommend to the legislative officials
appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
H. Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts
and pamphlets in accordance with the purpose 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 governing body,
accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both
real and personal, in the name of the municipality, as may be necessary
to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land
and water resources within the boundaries of the Village. Such real
property may be accepted in fee for land and water rights or as any
lesser interest, including conservation easement, covenant or other
contractual right, including a conveyance with limitations or reversions.
K. Carry out such duties and responsibilities as may
be assigned to it under a local law of the Village of Kinderhook providing
for environmental quality review of actions which may have a significant
effect on the environment.
L. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the governing body.
The Council shall submit an annual report to
the legislative body not later than the first day of June 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 Kinderhook to preserve and improve the
quality of the natural and human-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.