[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Islip 6-8-72 as Local Law No. 1, 1972. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Town of Islip,
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 Town of Islip. 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 Town working in partnership with local and
state officials and with various public and private institutions,
agencies and organizations. Establishment of a council for conservation
of the environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action
on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Islip hereby creates
a council which shall be known as the "Islip Town Environmental Council,"
hereinafter called the "Council."
[Amended 1-3-78 by L.L. No.
1, 1978]
The Council shall consist of not less than five
(5) members nor more than nine (9) members, appointed by the Town
Board, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board. Not more
than one (1) member shall be under twenty-one (21) years of age and
none shall be under sixteen (16) years of age. 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. Members
shall be appointed for a two-year term, except that of the first five
(5) members appointed, two (2) shall be appointed for one (1) year
and three (3) for two (2) years.
[Amended 4-5-2022]
The Supervisor shall designate members of the Council to act as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson thereof. 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 § 13A-6 of this local law. Secretarial service shall be supplied by the Town.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be
to:
A.
Advise the Town Board on all matters affecting the
preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features
and conditions of the Town of Islip 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 Town of Islip.
B.
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Town Board, 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 support for
their solutions.
C.
Conduct such studies and surveys as may be necessary
to carry out the general purposes of this local law.
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 Town of Islip
in accord with the purposes of this local law.
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 Town Board features, plans and programs relating
to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the
Town of Islip, and suggest changes in laws and ordinances.
H.
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts
and pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this local law.
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 Town Board of
the Town of Islip, the Council may accept, by gift, grant, devise,
bequest or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name
of the Town of Islip, as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise
properly utilize open spaces and other land and water resources within
the boundaries of the Town of Islip. Such real property may be accepted
in fee for land and water rights, or as any lesser interest, development
right, easement, including conservation easement, convenant 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 Town Board.
The Council shall submit an annual report to
the Town Board, 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 local law.
The members of the Council, including ex officio
members, may at the discretion of the Town Board receive compensation
for their services as members thereof and shall be reimbursed for
reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties within the appropriations made available therefor. The Town
Board will appropriate funds for all the expenses incurred by the
Council, including expenses for professional staff, consultants and
clerical assistance. The Council shall prepare and submit an annual
budget request. The Town Board, upon request by the Council, will
assign or detail public employees to perform work for the Council.
This local law shall be deemed an exercise of
the powers of the Town of Islip to preserve and improve the quality
of the natural and man-made environment on behalf of the present and
future inhabitants thereof. This local law is not intended and shall
not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.
This local law shall take effect ten (10) days
after posting and publication as provided by law.
