What is a Conservation Commission?
Conservation commissions, often specified as Conservation Advisory Councils (CACs) and Conservation Boards (CBs), are volunteer groups that advise their municipality on environmental issues like wetlands and open space. The quality of the relationships they build with their town board, planning board, zoning board of appeals, and community are directly related to their effectiveness.
Similar municipal advisory groups may include, but are not limited to, Open Space Committees, Environmental Advisory Committees, Sustainability Task Forces, and Green Policy Task Forces.
How are Conservation Advisory Councils established?
From the NYS DEC:
CACs and CBs are established by a municipality under Article 12-F Section 239-x of NYS General Municipal Law and are sometimes called environmental commissions. A CAC may be established by ordinance or by local law and is composed of 3-9 residents appointed by the local governing board. Members should have a strong interest in the mission of the council, the time and willingness to work on CAC tasks, and willingness and ability to work cooperatively with other municipal agencies. It is helpful to have some members with knowledge and experience in the environmental sciences, planning, engineering, and law; however, there are no minimum professional qualifications. CAC members with an eagerness to learn are equally valuable and can attend trainings and educational opportunities to build their knowledge and skills.
Read more here.
How does a Conservation Advisory Council become a Conservation Board?
From the NYS DEC:
When a local legislature adopts the open space inventory and map prepared by the CAC, the inventory becomes the official open space index for the municipality. The legislature may then pass a resolution to designate the CAC as a conservation board (CB). A CB remains advisory; however, it acquires a formal role in the environmental review process for any proposed actions on properties listed in the open space index. In some municipalities, CBs are asked to comment on all projects—not just those included in the index. In others, CACs are asked to provide reviews without having acquired board status.
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What is an Natural Resources Inventory?
From the NYS DEC:
A natural resources inventory (NRI) compiles and describes important naturally occurring resources such as forests, wetlands, surface and ground waters, and farmland within a given locality (e.g., municipality, watershed, or region). Cultural resources, such as historic sites, scenic vistas, and recreation areas, are often included in an NRI, as well. Information is usually presented in a series of maps and an accompanying report with narrative descriptions, supporting data tables, and recommendations. An NRI is essential for comprehensive land-use planning that proactively considers a community’s land and water resources, and provides the foundation for open space planning and protection, zoning updates, conservation overlay districts, critical environmental areas, and other municipal plans and policies.
Read more here.