Conservation Commission

Conservation Commission

A conservation commission may be created upon a vote of the town or upon a vote of the selectboard if the town charter so permits. Conservation commissions have between three and nine members who are appointed by the selectboard for four-year terms. The conservation commission may make an inventory and conduct studies of the municipal natural resources including air, surface waters, and ground waters and pollution thereof; soils and their capabilities; mineral and other earth resources; streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands and floodplains; unique or fragile biologic sites; scenic and recreational resources; plant and animal life; prime agricultural and forest land; and other open lands. It may also make inventories of other lands in which the municipality has an interest. The conservation commission may administer municipal lands acquired to protect one of the above attributes. The conservation commission may also advise the selectboard and the planning commission. 24 V.S.A. Chapter 118.