§ 6021. Board; vacancy, removal

(a) A Natural Resources Board is created.

(1) The Board shall consist of five members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, so that one appointment expires in each year. In making these appointments, the Governor and the Senate shall give consideration to experience, expertise, or skills relating to the environment or land use.

(A) The Governor shall appoint a chair of the Board, a position that shall be a full-time position.

(B) Following initial appointments, the members, except for the Chair, shall be appointed for terms of four years.

(2) The Governor shall appoint up to five persons, with preference given to former Environmental Board, Natural Resources Board, or District Commission members, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve as alternates for Board members.

(A) Alternates shall be appointed for terms of four years, with initial appointments being staggered.

(B) The Chair of the Board may assign alternates to sit on specific matters before the Board, in situations where fewer than five members are available to serve.

(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 of the Board, 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 of the District Commission are disqualified or otherwise unable to serve. (Added 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; 1993, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. March 15, 1995; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 48, eff. Jan. 31, 2005; 2013, No. 11, § 9.)