[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of West Haven 6-27-1988 by Ord. No. 267. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Flood and Erosion Control Board — See Ch. 19.
Planning and Zoning, Commission — See Ch. 32.
Pollution Control Commission — See Ch. 39.
Flood Management Program — See Ch. 111.
There is hereby created, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, Section 22a-42, within and for the City of West Haven a municipal authority entitled the "Inland-Wetland Agency."
The Inland-Wetland Agency (IWA) shall have all of the duties, responsibilities and authority conferred upon it under Chapter 440 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including the promulgation of regulations which shall have the effect of an ordinance.
A. 
The IWA shall be composed of five regular members and three alternate members, who shall be appointed by the Mayor.
B. 
The Mayor shall appoint each regular member for a five-year term, which shall commence the first day of August, except that at the initial creation of the IWA, the terms shall be staggered such that one appointment is to be made in each year thereafter. The Mayor shall appoint each alternate member for a three-year term, which shall commence the first day of August, except that at the initial creation, the term shall be staggered such that one appointment is to be made in each year thereafter.
C. 
In addition to the appointed members, the Mayor shall serve as an ex officio member of the IWA, having no power to vote except in the instances where all members of the IWA present at any meeting shall be equally divided in their vote on any matter before it, in which case the Mayor shall cast the deciding vote to break the tie.
A. 
In addition to all duties, responsibilities and authority granted to the IWA under Chapter 440 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the IWA shall have the following specific duties:
(1) 
The IWA shall compile an index of all open lands, both publicly and privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
(2) 
The IWA shall adopt regulations and boundaries of wetland and watercourse areas pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, Section 22a-42a et seq., and shall amend such regulations and boundaries as provided in said section.
(3) 
The IWA may conduct researches into the utilization of regulated land areas in the municipality and may coordinate with and report to other boards and commissions of the city organized for similar purposes.
(4) 
The IWA may advertise, prepare and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets as necessary for its purposes.
(5) 
The IWA may recommend to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Mayor or the City Council plans and programs for the development and use of such areas, which may include the acquisition of conservation easements.
(6) 
The IWA may accept gifts in the name of the City of West Haven for the purposes set forth in this chapter and pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes, Section 22a-42(b).
B. 
All other city boards, departments and commissions shall refer any request involving regulated areas to the IWA, who shall make a report thereon.
A. 
The IWA shall assume all responsibilities, including the monitoring of permits, of its predecessor Conservation Commission and any other similar agency, board or commission which had similar duties.
B. 
Nothing herein shall be construed to in any way amend, alter, void or otherwise affect any action of such prior agencies, nor shall anything herein be construed to void or otherwise affect any pending permits or conditions required therein. The Inland-Wetland and Watercourses Regulations and Map of the Conservation Commission of the City of West Haven existing at the time of the effective date hereof are hereby adopted by the IWA as its regulations and map promulgated under Connecticut General Statutes, Section 22a-42 et seq., until such time as the IWA may amend the same.