[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Orchard Park 1-2-85
as L.L. No. 2-1985.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also supersedes former Ch. 7, Conservation
Board, adopted 10-6-71 as L.L. No. 1-1971, amended in its entirety 5-20-81.
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made
environment within the Town of Orchard Park in the face of population growth,
urbanization and technological 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 this Town Board. It is recognized that the
biologic integrity of the 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 of 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 Board is a necessary
step fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Town Board of the Town of Orchard Park hereby creates a board which
shall be known as the "Town of Orchard Park Conservation Board," hereinafter
called the "Board."
A.
The Board shall consist of seven members, who shall be
appointed by the Town Board. One of the members so appointed may be, but is
not required to be, at the time of his appointment, between the ages of 16
and 21 years of age. Persons residing within the Town of Orchard Park who
are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality
shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the Board. Vacancies on the
Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except
that a vacancy ocurring other than by expiration of term of office shall be
filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
[Amended 3-2-88 by L.L. No. 1-1988]
B.
In addition to the above, a member of the Town Board
to be selected by the Town Board shall be an ex officio member of the Board,
but shall not have a vote as a member of the Board.
[Amended 3-2-88 by L.L. No. 1-1988]
All members shall be appointed for terms of two years.
The powers and duties of the Board 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 beauty, quality, biologic integrity and other environmental
factors are concerned and, in 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 Orchard Park 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 Town of Orchard Park, 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 Board 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 Orchard Park in accordance
with the purpose of this chapter.
F.
Maintain liaison 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 Board.
G.
Working in cooperation with the Town Planning Board,
recommending 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 Orchard Park and, similarly, recommend to the Town Board appropriate
and desirable changes in local laws and ordinances relating to environmental
control.
H.
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time
time by the Town Board.
The Board shall submit an annual report to the Town Board not later
than the first day of June of each year concerning the activities and work
of the Board and from time to time shall submit such reports and recommendations
as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
The reasonable and necessary expense of the Board shall not exceed the
appropriations that may be made therefor by the Town Board. The charges and
expenses so permitted by appropriation of the Town Board for such Board shall
be a charge upon the taxable property of that part of the Town of Orchard
Park outside of the Incorporated Village of Orchard Park and shall be assessed,
levied and collected therefrom in the same manner as other town charges.
To assist the Board in carrying out its functions, powers and duties,
it may request the New York State Department of Conservation to provide research
and other technical assistance, in accordance with the provisions of Section
239-x of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Town of
Orchard Park 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.
