A.
Legislative intent. The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and human-made environment within the Village of Dobbs
Ferry, in the face of population growth, urbanization and technologic
change with their accompanying demands on natural resources found
to be increasing, are of 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 Dobbs Ferry.
It is recognized that the biotic integrity of the natural environment
on which man depends 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 working in partnership with local
and state officials and with various public and private institutions,
agencies and organizations. Establishment of a board for conservation,
development, management and protection of natural resources is a necessary
step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
B.
Establishment and organization.
(1)
In accordance with the findings set forth above, there is hereby
established in the Village of Dobbs Ferry a Conservation Advisory
Board (CAB), to consist of nine members appointed by the Mayor, subject
to the approval of the Board of Trustees. All members of the CAB shall
be residents of the Village with an interest in the improvement and
preservation of environmental quality.
(2)
One member of the Village Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the
Planning Board, the Village Attorney and other officials that may
be designated by the Mayor to serve as liaisons to the CAB.
(3)
CAB members shall serve three-year terms.
(4)
The Mayor shall select one of the members of the CAB to serve as
Chairperson, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The CAB
shall elect among its members a Secretary.
(5)
If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, the
Mayor shall appoint a new member for the unexpired term.
C.
Powers and duties. The CAB shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)
To adopt rules and regulations for its operation.
(2)
To advise the Village Board of Trustees and other boards on matters
affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and
man-made features and conditions of the Village so as to enhance the
long-range value of the environment to the people of the Village.
(3)
To advise the Mayor and Board of Trustees regarding the maintenance
of properties deeded or otherwise conveyed to the Village in accordance
with the open space requirements of cluster developments.
(4)
To develop and conduct a program of public information in the community
to foster increased understanding of the nature of environmental problems
and issues and support for their solutions. The Board of Trustees
shall approve any such program by resolution prior to public information
activities.
(5)
To conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made
features within the Village of Dobbs Ferry as may be necessary to
carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
(6)
To maintain an up-to-date inventory of all open space in public or
private ownership within the Village, 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 open areas, so as to provide a base of information for recommendations
by the CAB for their preservation and/or use.
(7)
To seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups,
institutions and individuals within the Village of Dobbs Ferry in
accord with the purposes of this chapter.
(8)
To 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 CAB.
(9)
Pursuant to referrals as provided in this chapter, to recommend from
time to time to the Village Board of Trustees features, plans and
programs relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the
Vision Plan of the Village of Dobbs Ferry and, similarly, recommend
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.
(10)
To prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets
in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
(11)
To obtain and maintain maps, reports, books and other publications
to support the necessary researches of the CAB into local environmental
conditions.
(12)
Upon request of the Board of Trustees, to investigate and make
recommendations with respect to the acceptance, by gift, grant, devise,
bequest or otherwise, of property, both real and personal.
(13)
To review each application received by the Village seeking approval
for the use or development of any open space property listed on the
Open Space Inventory of the Village (the "inventory") adopted by the
Board on August 23, 1999, as amended. The CAB shall submit a timely
written report to the referral body. Such report shall evaluate the
proposed use or development of open space property in terms of the
recommendations of the Open Space Inventory Report and Vision Plan
and shall include an analysis of the effect of such use or development
on the inventory. The report shall make recommendations as to the
most appropriate use or development of the open space property and
may include preferable alternative-use proposals consistent with open
space goals. A copy of every report shall be filed with the Board
of Trustees.
(14)
To periodically recommend to the Board of Trustees revisions
to the inventory.
(15)
To request the opinion of outside experts, including the Department
of Environmental Conservation of the State of New York, in the preparation
of any report.
(16)
To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Board of Trustees.
