Marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research board

§ 13-0503. Marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research board.

1. There is hereby established in the department the marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research board to be composed of three members, one of whom shall be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly. Each appointing official shall also appoint an alternate who may serve in the place of the member appointed by such appointing official. A member or alternate member of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the official by whom he or she is appointed. The members of the board shall choose their chairperson.

2. The board shall have the power and duty to: (a) receive and review, and to approve or deny, applications from eligible recipients for grants from the marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research fund, created pursuant to section ninety-five-c of the state finance law, for conservation, research, and education projects relating to such marine and coastal district. Approval of any such proposed project may be granted only by unanimous vote of all three members of the board. In the event a member of the board is unable to vote, the alternate for such member may vote in his or her place;

(b) make by-laws for the management of its affairs and to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly given in this title;

(c) review the allocations and expenditures of the department related to the marine resources account. To assist the board in its review, the department shall by September first of each year make available to the board, the governor and the legislature current and anticipated income and expenditures for the account, including planned expenditures by time and activity code for the next fiscal year; and

(d) consult with marine fish and wildlife interests and render annual reports to the commissioner on fiscal needs and make recommendations on expenditures and how such needs shall be met.

3. The board shall meet at least two times a year, at the request of the chairperson.

4. The members of the board and alternate members shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties pursuant to this section.