(A) Each district public works integrating committee or, if applicable, the executive committee of the integrating committee shall appoint a natural resources assistance council consisting of eleven members. Of the eleven members, one shall be a member of the appointing integrating committee and one shall represent a soil and water conservation district that is located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee. The nine other members of the council shall be appointed from the following categories of organizations, units of government, or agencies and shall include at least one member from each of those categories:

(1) A county, municipal corporation, township, conservancy district, regional or joint district or unit of local government, or regional or joint political subdivision that is located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee;

(2) A conservation organization, an environmental advocacy organization, an organization with a primary interest in watershed protection and restoration, the department of natural resources, the environmental protection agency, or the United States natural resources conservation service;

(3) A city park system or metropolitan park system or a board of park commissioners from a county that is located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee, a statewide parks and recreation organization, or the United States national park service;

(4) A statewide organization representing agriculture, an organization representing forestry interests, the department of agriculture, or the United States department of agriculture;

(5) An organization representing business, local realtors, or a planning agency, including a port authority, located within the geographical jurisdiction of the appointing integrating committee.

No organization, unit of government, or agency that is listed in divisions (A) (1) to (5) of this section shall be represented by more than one member on the council at any given time. The membership of a natural resources assistance council shall reflect the demographic and economic diversity of the population located within the geographical area represented by the council.

A council shall be appointed by the appropriate integrating committee not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section. Of the initial members appointed to the council, four shall be appointed for one year, four shall be appointed for two years, and three shall be appointed for three years. Thereafter, terms of office for members of the council shall be for three years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member is appointed, except that, with respect to any member who is an elected or appointed official of a township, municipal corporation, or county, the term of office for that person on the council shall not extend beyond the member's term as an elected or appointed official.

Members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. Members may be removed by the district public works integrating committee for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.

(B) A natural resources assistance council shall elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and other officers that the council considers appropriate. A council may adopt bylaws governing its operation, including bylaws that establish the frequency of regular meetings and any necessary procedures. All meetings of a council are subject to section 121.22 of the Revised Code.

(C) Serving as a member of a natural resources assistance council under this section does not constitute holding a public office or position of employment under the laws of this state and does not confer a right to compensation from any agency of this state. A member of a natural resources assistance council does not have an unlawful interest in a public contract under section 2921.42 of the Revised Code solely by virtue of the receipt of financial assistance under sections 164.20 to 164.27 of the Revised Code by the local political subdivision of which the member is also a public official or appointee.

(D) Sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code do not apply to natural resources assistance councils.

Effective Date: 07-26-2001.