N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 29-0501: Citizen advisory committee on permanent disposal facilities siting and disposal method selection

§ 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.