Tusten takes conservation advice

By LIAM MAYO
Posted 8/9/22

NARROWSBURG, NY — The natural beauty of Tusten has attracted visitors and homeowners for centuries. Now, the town has a new tool in its kit to ensure it remains natural and beautiful for …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Tusten takes conservation advice

Posted

NARROWSBURG, NY — The natural beauty of Tusten has attracted visitors and homeowners for centuries. Now, the town has a new tool in its kit to ensure it remains natural and beautiful for centuries to come.

The town board held a public hearing on Tuesday, August 2 to discuss a local law establishing a conservation advisory council (CAC).

A CAC is an advisory council that helps a town’s various boards consider the impact their decisions could have on the area’s natural resources. (For more information, visit bit.ly/RR-conservation-advisory-council.)

During the public hearing, in response to questions from local resident Star Hesse, the board clarified elements of the CAC’s composition.

Anyone within the town could serve on the CAC, provided that they were interested in the environment. Its members would receive training in their responsibilities, with some training provided by the DEC. Its meetings would be open to the public.

Tusten had a CAC previously, said supervisor Ben Johnson. The board had established that CAC through a board resolution; it chose to establish this iteration through a local law to ensure that the CAC would not disappear.

The previous CAC held its first meeting in 2008 and produced a natural resources and open space inventory for the town in 2011. While the CAC did not official disband, it ceased meeting following the completion of the inventory.

That CAC would make recommendations to the town board, but it didn’t have jurisdiction to approve or undertake any action, said board member Kevin McDonough. It was a purely advisory body.

The board determined to vote on the establishment of the CAC at the following week’s regular board meeting and to choose members at that time. (That meeting had not taken place as of press time.)

“This is a very beneficial council that is being formed,” said board member Jane Luchsinger.

Conservation Advisory Council, Tusten

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here