The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Catskill, in light of the fact 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 Catskill.
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 of Catskill 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 Catskill, Greene County, New York, hereby
creates a commission which shall be known as the "Town of Catskill Commission
for Conservation of the Environment," hereinafter called the "Commission."
The Town Board of the Town of Catskill 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 §
14-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. Advise the Town Board of the Town of Catskill on matters
affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made
features and conditions of the Town of Catskill 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 Catskill.
B. Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Town Board of the Town of Catskill, 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 Catskill 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; 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 with the Town of Catskill 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 of the Town of Catskill features, plans
and programs relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master
Plan of the Town of Catskill and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board of
the Town of Catskill 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 Catskill, Greene County, New York, the Commission may accept, by gift,
grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property both real and personal in the
name of the Town of Catskill, 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 Catskill. Such real property may be accepted in
fee for land and 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. Hold public hearings on environmental issues as a means
of obtaining public sentiment, participation and ideas.
L. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
to time by the Town Board of the Town of Catskill.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Town Board of the
Town of Catskill 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
Catskill 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.