[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Pleasant Valley 8-15-2001 by L.L. No. 3-2001. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality
of the natural and manmade environment within the Town, 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. It is recognized that the biological
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 conservation advisory council is a necessary step
in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town hereby creates a
council which shall be known as the "Pleasant Valley Conservation
Advisory Council," hereafter called the "Council."
[Amended 3-12-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008]
The Council shall consist of seven members who
shall be appointed by the Town Board. Persons residing within the
Town who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental
quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Council.
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.
The Town Board 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 § 6-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be
to:
A.
Advise the Town Board on matters affecting the preservation,
development and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions
of the Town insofar as quality, biologic integrity, beauty and other
environmental factors are concerned; in the case of man's activities
and developments, advise on 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 and maintain an inventory of the natural resources
within the Town.
D.
Maintain an up-to-date index of all open spaces as
defined in § 239-y of the General Municipal Law, 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; and scenic and other open areas
of natural or ecological value. Such index shall include the ownership
and present and proposed uses 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 in accord
with the purposes of this chapter.
F.
Maintain liaison and communications with public and
private agencies and organizations 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 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 Comprehensive Plan
of the Town and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate
and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relating
to environmental and land use controls or recommend new local laws
and ordinances.
H.
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports,
books and other publications to support the necessary researches of
the Council into local environmental conditions.
I.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Town Board.
The Council shall keep accurate records of its
meetings and actions and shall submit an annual report to the Town
Board not later than the 31st day of December of each year concerning
the activities and work of the Council. From time to time the Council
shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary
to fulfill the purpose of this chapter.
The members of the Council shall receive no
compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed
for reasonable and necessary performance of their duties within the
appropriations made available therefor.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of
the powers of the Town 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.
[Added 3-12-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008[1]]
The term for members appointed to the Conservation
Advisory Council following the effective date of this section, shall
expire on December 31, 2009 Thereafter, members shall he appointed
for a term of two calendar years, commencing on January
1, 2010.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed
former § 6-9, When effective.
