1Description
Administrative body created by local legislatures to advise on the development, management and protection of local natural resources.
2Purpose
To inventory/study and protect local natural resources. CAC can become a Conservation Board with power to review development proposals and assess impacts. Can help with the open space part of comprehensive plan. Can advise in regard to techniques: acquisition, cluster, overlay, critical environmental area designation and can help with mitigation strategies.
3Issues
Only advisory. To be effective, careful coordination and cooperation from other entities is required.
Capacity Requirements:
- Natural resource inventory requires time, energy and resources, especially for data gathering.
- Burden of new administrative body.
4Advantages
If supported by the local legislature and other administrative entities, CACs and conservation boards can play a large role in shaping policy in the comprehensive plan, prioritizing areas for protection/acquisition, and developing new zoning design guidelines.