The prevention and improvement of the quality
of the natural and man-made environment within the Village of Port
Jefferson, in the face of population growth, urbanization and technologic
change and 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 Village of Port Jefferson.
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 Village 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.
[Amended 6-11-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
The Village Board of Trustees of the Village
of Port Jefferson hereby creates a council which shall be known as
the "Conservation Advisory Council," hereinafter called the "Council."
[Amended 6-11-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
A. The Council shall consist of seven members appointed
by the Village Board of Trustees and who shall serve at the pleasure
of Village Board of Trustees.
B. Persons residing within the Village of Port Jefferson
who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental
quality shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the Council.
C. 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.
D. All members shall be appointed for terms of two years.
E. The Mayor, the Chairman of the Planning Board, Commissioner
of Public Works, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Village Attorney
and other officials that may be hereafter designated by the Village
Board of Trustees shall be ex officio members of the Council.
[Amended 6-11-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
A. The Village Board of Trustees shall designate a member
of the Council to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of
the Council its members shall elect from themselves a Recording Secretary.
B. 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 §
15-6 of this chapter.
[Amended 6-11-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
The powers and duties of the Council shall be
to:
A. Advise the Village Board of Trustees on matters affecting
the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made
features and conditions of the Village 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 Village.
B. Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution
of the Village Board of Trustees, conduct a program of public information
in the community which shall be designated 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 Village of Port Jefferson 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 Council for their
preservation and/or use.
E. Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of
private groups, institutions and individuals within the Village of
Port Jefferson 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 Council.
G. Working in cooperation with the Planning Board, recommend
from time to time to the Village Board of Trustees features, plans
and programs relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in
the Master Plan of the Village of Port Jefferson and, similarly, recommend
to the Village Board of Trustees 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 Council into local environmental conditions.
J. When authorized by resolution of the Village Board
of Trustees of the Village of Port Jefferson, accept by gift, grant,
devise, bequest or otherwise property, both real and personal, in
the name of the Village of Port Jefferson as may be necessary to conserve
and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land and water
resources within the boundaries of the Village of Port Jefferson.
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. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Village Board of Trustees.
[Amended 6-11-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
The Council shall submit an annual report to
the Village Board of Trustees not later than the first day of May
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 chapter.
[Amended 6-11-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
The members of the Council, 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 Village of Port Jefferson 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.