§ 6021 - Board; vacancy, removal - Vermont Statutes

§ 6021. Board; vacancy, removal

(a) A natural resources board is created with a land use panel and a water resources panel. The board shall consist of nine members appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, so that one appointment on each panel expires in each odd numbered year. In making appointments, the governor and the senate shall give consideration to experience, expertise, or skills relating to the environment or land use. The governor shall appoint a chair of the board, a position that shall be a full-time position. The other eight members shall be appointed by the governor, four to the water resources panel of the board and four others to the land use panel of the board. The chair shall serve as chair on each panel of the board. Following initial appointments, the members, except for the chair, shall be appointed for terms of four years. The governor shall appoint up to five persons, with preference given to former environmental board, water resources board, natural resources board or district commission members, with the advice and consent of the senate, to serve as alternates for board members. Alternates shall be appointed for terms of four years, with initial appointments being staggered. The board chair may assign alternates to sit on specific matters before the panels of the board, in situations where fewer than five panel members are available to serve. No person who receives or, during the previous two years, has received a significant portion of the person's income directly or indirectly from permit holders or applicants for one or more permits under chapter 47 of this title may be a member of the water resources panel.

(b) Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the board shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of 3 V.S.A. § 2004, members shall be removable for cause only, except the chair, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

(d) The chair, upon request of the chair of a district commission, may appoint and assign former commission members to sit on specific commission cases when some or all of the regular members and alternates are disqualified or otherwise unable to serve. (1969, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 4, 1970; amended 1989, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1991. No. 111, § 1, eff. June 28, 1991; 1993, No. 82, § 1; amended 1993, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. March 15, 1995; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 48, eff. Jan. 31, 2005.)