N.Y. Navigation Law § 71: Petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission

§ 71. Petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission. 1. Creation of the

petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission. The commissioner of

environmental conservation shall establish a petroleum-bearing vessel

advisory commission to make recommendations on plans, policies and

programs affecting petroleum-bearing vessels. Such advisory commission

shall be composed of nine members to be appointed by the commissioner.

The chairperson shall be designated by the commissioner of environmental

conservation. All members of the commission shall have knowledge of and

experience in the pilotage of commercial vessels. At least three members

shall be licensed pilots by the state of New York, and at least two

members shall be pilots licensed by states contiguous to New York or by

Canada and at least two members shall be experienced in the navigation

and pilotage of tug boats and petroleum-bearing barges. Appointments to

the advisory commission shall be made no later than the first day of

January next succeeding the date on which this section will have become

a law.

2. Meetings of the advisory commission. The advisory commission shall

meet at least annually.

3. Duties of the advisory commission. The advisory commission shall

have the following powers and duties:

(a) to advise the commissioner of environmental conservation in

establishing minimum conditions for petroleum-bearing vessels in certain

waters, pursuant to section seventy of this article.

(b) to advise the commissioner of environmental conservation in

establishing tanker-avoidance zones, pursuant to section seventy of this

article.

4. Term of appointment. All members of the advisory commission shall

serve terms of three years.

5. State assistance. The commissioner of environmental conservation

and all state agencies shall make any and all documents readily

available to the advisory commission which are needed to properly and

thoroughly carry out its responsibilities. The commissioner of

environmental conservation shall also make available to the advisory

commission such staff assistance reasonably necessary to allow the

advisory commission to carry out its duties and responsibilities.