The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and artificial environment within the Village of Elmsford 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 Elmsford. It is recognized that
the biologic integrity of the natural environment on which humankind
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 of the residents of the Village of Elmsford working in conjunction
with local and state officials and with various public and private
institutions, agencies and organizations. Establishment of an advisory
council for conservation of the environment is a necessary step in
fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Elmsford hereby creates
an advisory council which shall be known as the "Elmsford Conservation
Advisory Council," hereinafter referred to as the ''Council."
The Board of Trustees shall designate a member of the Council to act as 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 it shall file an annual report as hereinafter provided in §
15-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be to:
A. Advise the
Board of Trustees on matters affecting the preservation, development
and use of the natural and artificial features and conditions of the
Village of Elmsford insofar as beauty, quality, biologic integrity
and other environmental factors are concerned and, in the case of
human 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 of Elmsford.
B. Develop
and, after receiving approval by resolution of the Board of Trustees,
conduct a program of public information in the Village which shall
be designed to foster increased understanding of the nature of environmental
problems and issues and support for their solutions.
C. When authorized
by resolution of the Board of Trustees, conduct studies, surveys and
inventories of the natural and artificial features within the Village
of Elmsford 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 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 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 Elmsford 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 which can be of assistance
to the Council.
G. Working
in conjunction with the Planning Board, recommend from time to time
to the Board of Trustees features, plans and programs relating to
environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the
Village of Elmsford and recommend to the 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. When authorized
by resolution of the Board of Trustees, 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 research of the Council into local environmental
conditions.
J. When authorized
by resolution of the Board of Trustees, accept by gift, grant, devise,
bequest or otherwise real or personal property, in the name of the
Village of Elmsford, as may be necessary or desirable to conserve
and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land and water
resources within the boundaries of the Village of Elmsford. Such real
property may be accepted in fee for land or 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
of Trustees
The Council shall submit an annual written report to the Board
of Trustees not later than the first day of April of each year concerning
the activities and work of the Council for the past year and, in addition,
from time to time, shall submit such reports and recommendation 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 by the Board of Trustees in its annual budget.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Village of Elmsford to preserve and improve the quality of the natural
and artificial 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.