[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.