The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Babylon, 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 Babylon. 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 Commission for
Conservation of the Environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action
on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Babylon hereby creates a commission which
shall be known as the "Babylon Commission for Conservation of the Environment,"
hereinafter called the Commission.
The Town Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Commission its members shall elect from among themselves a Recording Secretary. The Commission 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 §
18-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation,
development and use of the natural and manmade features and conditions of
the Town 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.
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 studies, surveys and inventories of the natural
and man-made features within the Town of Babylon 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 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 Commission
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 Babylon 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 who can
be of assistance to the Commission.
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 Babylon and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable
changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating to environmental control
or recommend new local laws and ordinances.
H. 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 researches of the Commission
into local environmental conditions.
J. When authorized by resolution of the Town Board of the
Town of Babylon, the Commission may accept by gift, grant, devise, bequest
or otherwise property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town of
Babylon 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 Babylon. Such real property may be accepted in fee for land and water rights
or as any lesser interest, development right or 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 Town Board.
The Commission 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 Commission 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 Commission, 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 Town of
Babylon to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-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.