conservation advisory councils and boards · cac tips: educate yourself photo: ingrid haeckel. 22 -...
TRANSCRIPT
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Conservation Advisory Councils and Boards
Ingrid Haeckel, Conservation & Land Use Specialist
Hudson River Estuary Program/Cornell University
Conservation and Land Use Webinar SeriesSeptember 25, 2019, 12:00-1:00pm
Photo by Laura Heady
The webinar will begin shortly.
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You may connect to the audio via computer or by phone:1. Click on the “i” icon, upper
left, for call-in details, and 2. Enter your unique
attendee ID when prompted.3. Call-in details
also available at bottom of the screen:
Welcome!
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Problems or technical issues?Questions for the presenter?Use WebEx Q&A(Ask All Panelists)
Other Notes:• Participants are muted.• The webinar is being recorded.• Please take the survey at the end!
4Today’s Webinar:
➢ Program background➢ Introduction to Conservation
Advisory Councils/ Boards➢ Case Studies/Perspectives:
• Carla Castillo• Julie Noble
➢ Q&A
Photo by Laura Heady
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Working to achieve key benefits:• clean water• resilient communities• vital estuary ecosystem• fish, wildlife, and habitat • natural scenery• education, access, recreation, and inspiration
The Hudson River Estuary Program
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• Fill in gaps in biological data.
• Improve understanding of natural areas and their benefits.
• Provide technical assistance for incorporating data and conservation principles into local planning.
Photo by Ingrid Haeckel
Conservation and Land Use Program
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Photo: Laura Heady
• Focus on environmental planning/policy/education
• Can have different names, e.g. environmental commission
• Can fit a diversity of local needs
Conservation Advisory Councils and Boards
CACs/CBs conduct planning and policy research, educate the public, and advise local agencies on the conservation and management of the environment
8Origins
Photo by Gary Miller / US National Archives John Neubauer / US National Archives
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1970: Environmental Conservation
Law – establishes DEC
NYS General Municipal Law Article 12-F § 239-x – CAC-enabling legislation
Article 47 – Local Environmental Protection Act
Legislative Basis
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• Resolution or local law• 3-9 appointed members• 2 junior members allowed• 2-year terms• No minimum qualifications• Chair appointed by
legislative body• Meeting minutes, annual
report
Establishing a CAC
Photo: Laura Heady
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Specific activities:• Land research • Open space/ wetlands/
natural resource inventories• Related planning/ policy research• Advising/ coordination• Educational literature• Other consistent work
Article 12-F § 239-x
Photo: Emily Vail
12Emerging Priorities
NYSDEC
NOAA NYPA
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• Environmental review • Inventory and mapping• Open space planning, protection• Comprehensive planning, zoning• Policy research• Critical Environmental Areas• Wetland and Watercourse Laws• Climate Smart Communities and
Clean Energy Communities certification
Examples of CAC/CB Activities
• WAVE/ water quality monitoring• Trees for Tribs• Tree City USA, Arbor Day• Urban forestry projects• Invasive species management• Pollinator habitat creation• Pesticide/herbicide education• Clean-up events • Recycling, composting programs• Repair Café
14Inventory and Mapping - Article 12-F § 239-yOpen Areas:“Any space or area characterized by natural scenic beauty or, whose existing openness, natural condition or present state of use…would maintain or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources.”
Open Areas Inventory:“… each area identified, described, and listed according to the priority of acquisition or preservation.”
Photo by Ingrid Haeckel
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geologyand soils
cultural resources
habitats &wildlife
climate conditions
water resources
land usePhotos by Laura Heady
What is a Natural Resources Inventory?
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• educate landowners and developers
• valuable reference for land use planning and decision-making
• keep track of the “big picture”• foundation for comprehensive
plan and zoning updates
Benefits of Creating an NRI
Photo by Laura Heady
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naturalresourcesinventory
open areasinventory and map
(NRI + prioritization)
open space index
(open areas inventory
and map accepted and
approved by local
legislative body)
From NRI to Open Space Index
Open Areas Inventory and Map:a compilation and description of natural, scenic, and cultural resources, prioritizing areas for protection or acquisition.
18Example Open Areas Map
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A CAC may be re-designated a Conservation Board after official approval of the municipal Open Areas Inventory and Map.
Photo: Laura Heady
• Remains advisory• More formal role in
environmental review
Article 12-F § 239-y - Conservation Boards
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CACs/CBs can help with reviews by:• Participating in site visits• Raising questions about potential
impacts to resources of concern• Providing maps of resources on a
site and in the surrounding area• Providing written reports and memos
with science-based information• Being timely!
Review of Development Proposals
Photo: Ingrid Haeckel
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- Attend trainings, conferences, and roundtable events
- Know your local code and planning documents
- Understand the SEQR process- Learn about funding opportunities
and how to apply for grants
CAC Tips: Educate Yourself
Photo: Ingrid Haeckel
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- Establish good working relationships with local decision-makers
Photo: Laura Heady
CAC Tips: Build Relationships
- Establish lines of communication with other boards
- Send a liaison to meetings- Hold periodic workshops- Invite other local
environmental organizations to your meetings
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- Organize public education or stewardship programs
- Maintain a website- Bulletin boards
- Social media- Letters to the editor- Community newsletter- Tabling at events
CAC Tips: Be a Community Presence
Photo: Jen Rubbo
24Support Networks
Annual Training Conference:Friday, October 25th, 9:30am-4:00pmNYSDEC Central Office625 Broadway, AlbanyContact: Karl Berger or Maria Katchmar - (518) 402-8044 or [email protected].
25Publications
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Ingrid HaeckelConservation & Land Use Specialist
NYSDEC/ Cornell University21 S. Putt Corners RdNew Paltz, NY [email protected]/lands/5094.htmlwww.hudson.dnr.cals.cornell.edu
Thank you!
Questions?Please type them in the Q&A box and well answer them at the end.
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Carla CastilloDeputy Executive DirectorHudson Valley Regional CouncilChair, Town of Cornwall CAC
Julie NobleEnvironmental Education and Sustainability CoordinatorCity of KingstonChair, City of Kingston CAC
Invited Speakers
CORNWALL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conservation & Land Use 101 Webinar Series
NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program –
Partnership between NYSERDA, HVRC, and CDRPC
Conservation & Land Use 101
HUDSON VALLEY REGIONAL COUNCIL
NYSERDA CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
Conservation & Land Use 101
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CAC MOTIVATORS
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CAC MOTIVATORS
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CAC MOTIVATORS
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CAC MOTIVATORS
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conservation & Land Use 101
CORNWALL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Resources Inventory
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Resources Inventory
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Scenic Resources Inventory
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Scenic Resources Inventory
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Heritage Project
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Heritage Project
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Heritage Project
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Heritage Project
Conservation & Land Use 101
CCAC &LAND USE
Cornwall Natural Heritage Project
Conservation & Land Use 101
Know Your Community
Demonstrate Commitment
Plan Ahead
Be Well-Informed
Build Broad Partnerships
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Persevere & Reconvene
Be Thankful
Have Fun & Celebrate Successes!
MAXIMIZING OUR CCAC’S EFFECTIVENESS
Conservation & Land Use 101
Conservation Advisory
Councils and Boards
Conservation and Land Use 101 Webinar Series
September 25, 2019
City of Kingston, NY
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Environmental
Educator
#2 Hired
Climate Smart and Green
Jobs Community Pledge
Adopted
Climate Analyst
Hired
Planning for Rising Waters Plan Adopted
Designated 1st City
as Clean Energy
Community
Environmental
Educator
#1 Hired Kingston
Conservation
Advisory
Council (CAC)
Formed
Climate Smart and
Green Jobs Task
Force Formed
Climate Action
Plan Adopted
Certified
Bronze
Climate
Smart
Community
Kingston Climate Initiatives
2015
Sustainability Coordinator &
Climate Smart Kingston
Commission Appointed
2016 2017 2018
Environmental
Specialist Hired
Certified
Silver
Climate
Smart
Community
Conservation Advisory Council Initiatives:Kingston-ny.gov/kingstoncac
• Natural Resources Inventory and Open Space Plan
• Wood Burning/Air Quality Sub Committee
• Climate Resiliency
• Planning Board Development Reviews
• Environmental Reviews
• Commission Liaisons
• Climate Smart Kingston Commission
• Outreach and Engagement
Natural Resources Inventorywww.kingston-ny.gov/nri
• Process began in 2011 with a CAC subcommittee
• Completed by John Mickelson, Geospatial & Ecological Services
• With support from
• NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program
and the Environmental Protection Fund
• City of Kingston, Kingston CAC
• Kingston Land Trust
• SUNY New Paltz Internship Program
Forest canopy cover
Urban street trees
Terrestrial corridors
Biologically important areas
Natural habitats
Principal aquifers
Surface waters
Wetlands & hydric soils
Riparian buffers
Aquatic biology
Recreational amenities
Parcels adjacent to parklands
Parcels adjacent to historic sites
City of Kingston owned land
Natural Resource Inventory
Natural Resource Inventory
Using the Inventory-Spatial Analysis
Recreation Areas
Riparian Buffers
Historic Resources
Biologically Important Areas
Forest Cover
Prioritization of Resources -Composite
Open Space Plan
• Began in 2018
• Consultant: Behan Planning and Design
• With support from
• NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Environmental Protection Fund
• City of Kingston
• Kingston CAC
Next Steps
• Adoption by Kingston CAC
• Common Council review determination
• SEQRA Review
• Public Input
• Incorporation as Element of
Comprehensive Plan or Adoption as City Plan
Contact
Julie NobleSustainability Coordinator
Kingston CAC ChairClimate Smart Kingston
Coordinator
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Ingrid [email protected]
Carla [email protected]
Julie [email protected]
Thank you! Questions?
Upcoming webinars:- Introduction to Habitats of the
Hudson Valley Thurs., Oct. 24th
- Biodiversity ConservationWed., Nov. 20th
www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5094.htmlwww.hudson.dnr.cals.cornell.edu