Adopted 5 May 1994
The Tug Hill Reserve Act (Chapter 486 of the laws of 1992) finds that the Tug Hill region provides water, wildlife, forest, farm and recreational resources of nationwide, statewide and regional significance. Protection of these resources through coordinated, local action will provide the most enduring and cost-effective method of retaining the rural and remote character of this land, and of retaining the independent way of life of its people and their economy.
It is the purpose of the Tug Hill Reserve Act to establish a system of protection fro the Tug Hill region through a program administered by local councils of governments, and to ensure that in proposing development, or in the review of proposed development, the actions of governmental agencies, boards, commissions and authorities are consistent with protection of the region, with maintaining the rural character of Tug Hill, with the intent of the Act, and with local reserve plans.
The Cooperative Tug Hill council, a local council of governments within the Tug Hill area, has established a local reserve known as the “Tug Hill Reserve,” and has prepared and adopted a reserve plan known as the “Tug Hill Reserve Plan.” This reserve plan designates special areas to be protected by the Tug Hill Reserve Act.
Governmental agencies, boards, commissions, authorities, and local governments of the Tug Hill Reserve shall follow the following steps:
1. Any governmental agency, board, commission or authority, prior to final action on a proposed development or review of a proposed development, shall locate the area to be developed on the “Cooperative Tug Hill Council – Local Reserve Plan – Special Area Map” to determine whether it is within a designated special area.
2. If proposed development directly affects designated special areas and would change the basic nature of Tug Hill, the governmental agency, board, commission or authority must contact the town/village clerk(s) of the affected municipality(s) to determine whether consultation is necessary.
3. Within 45 days of being contacted by the governmental agency, board, commission or authority, the town/village board shall hold a regularly scheduled meeting or call a special meeting of the board. Notice of the meeting shall be given to the involved governmental agency, board, commission or authority and to the Cooperative Tug Hill Council.
4. The town/village board shall determine if the proposed development directly affects designated special areas and would change the basic nature of Tug Hill, thus requiring consultation.
5. The town/village board shall notify the involved governmental agency, board, commission or authority immediately to discuss further steps in the consultation process in order to maintain the consistency of the proposed development with the Tug Hill Reserve Plan. If consultation is determined to be unnecessary, the town/village board shall immediately notify the involved governmental agency, board, commission or authority.