N.Y. Envtl. Conserv. Law § 29-0501

Current through 2024 NY Law Chapter 553

Section 29-0501 - Citizen advisory committee on permanent disposal facilities siting and disposal method selection

1. A citizen advisory committee on siting and disposal method selection for permanent disposal facilities is hereby established independent of the commission and shall continue in existence until the department has issued its final environmental impact statement pursuant to section 29-0105 of this article. The members shall be appointed by the governor and shall consist of: two representatives of non-profit environmental organizations; two health physicists or medical doctors knowledgeable of radiation health effects; two representatives of low-level radioactive waste generators in New York; a private citizen residing in New York who is technically competent and knowledgeable concerning low-level radioactive waste; four private citizens, residing in New York who are knowledgeable concerning low-level radioactive waste, of whom one shall be knowledgeable and experienced in agricultural production and one in local public health services; and one elected local government representative of each county in which a candidate site has been identified, which county shall be represented until such time as no candidate site is being considered therein and, upon issuance of the commission's draft environmental impact statement pursuant to subdivision six of section 29-0303 of this article, three private citizens from the county within which each proposed site is primarily located. The governor shall designate the chairman from among the members of the committee. No member shall receive any compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses in performing the duties of the citizen advisory committee.

2. The citizen advisory committee shall:

a. meet at least bi-monthly to provide information and review activities of the commission and the department pursuant to sections 29-0103, 29-0105, 29-0303 and 29-0509 of this article and to receive a written report from the commission, the department and the energy research and development authority on plans and progress in carrying out activities and duties pursuant to the low-level radioactive waste management act. In particular, the citizen advisory committee shall provide information and recommendations in response to the commission's draft environmental impact statements prepared pursuant to section 29-0303 of this article, including reviewing public views, comments, and information submitted in response thereto;

b. review and comment semi-annually on the commission's plans and schedule for carrying out the provisions of section 29-0303 of this article;

c. have minutes taken of each meeting of the citizen advisory committee and make them available to the public within ten working days from the date of the meeting, and a video or audio record of any meeting sponsored by the committee shall be kept, copies of which shall be made available at the actual cost of reproduction;

d. consult with and advise the commissioner of health in planning and carrying out a public information and education program on low-level radioactive waste pursuant to the provisions of article twenty-four-C of the public health law;

e. hire an executive director, and clerical support, and may contract for necessary specialized services;

f. facilitate the public review and comment process and issue reports containing the committee's comments and recommendations concerning:

(i) the candidate disposal method selection process;

(ii) the site selection process, including previously excluded lands and voluntary sites;

(iii) site characterization;

(iv) the process for matching the site with the preferred disposal method;

(v) the draft environmental impact statement; and

(vi) the manner in which the commission carries out its responsibilities to keep the public informed of its activities;

g. make copies of its reports available to the public upon request and submit copies to the governor, the majority leader of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the assembly; and h. exercise and perform such other advisory functions related to the commission's or the department's activities conducted pursuant to sections 29-0103, 29-0105, 29-0303 and 29-0509 of this article as the chairman of the commission or commissioner of environmental conservation may request.

3. The department of health shall provide such administrative support services to the citizen advisory committee as may be determined reasonable for the proper execution of the committee's responsibilities.

4. All agencies and authorities of the state are hereby directed to cooperate with the citizen advisory committee in order to facilitate and expedite the responsibilities and duties of the committee.

N.Y. Envtl. Conserv. Law § 29-0501