§ 2-399. Plan for protection; list of significant resources.

(a)

The commission, in conjunction with and with the assistance of the county staff, shall prepare and submit annually to the county council a plan for the protection of significant resources in the county. Such plan shall include a list of significant natural, cultural, or historical resources in the county, which are recommended to the county council for acquisition, lease or development. A financing strategy shall accompany each recommendation, with emphasis being placed upon minimizing the utilization of public monies and maximizing the utilization of other sources, such as grants, public donations, etc.

(b)

The plan may provide various recommendations and approaches for the protection of natural, cultural, or historical properties or resources, including:

(1)

Purchase of resources for public ownership or other protective ownership;

(2)

Purchase of resources for resale; to help support activities delineated in section 2-398;

(3)

Acquisition of conservation easements to protect resources;

(4)

The development of access to, or the restoration of properties or resources;

(5)

Acceptance by donation of properties or resources;

(6)

The negotiation of leases or conservation easements;

(7)

The maintenance, preservation, protection, identification or development of natural, cultural or historical properties or resources;

(8)

Other plans, methods, or approaches for the identification, acquisition, purchase, lease, preservation, protection or development of natural, cultural or historical properties or resources.

(c)

Provided, however, that the power of eminent domain shall not be exercised by the council or the commission for the acquisition of any property recommended for protection by the commission.

(d)

The county council may adopt the list of significant resources submitted by the commission, in whole or in part, and may add to or delete additional properties and significant resources to the list of significant resources submitted by the commission. The list shall be reviewed and, if necessary, amended not less than annually by the commission. No assets or revenues allocated or appropriated to the county conservation commission fund shall be used to acquire, purchase, lease, protect, preserve, identify, or develop property not included on the list of significant resources approved by the county council.

(e)

The plan for the protection or preservation of significant resources in the county may include plans and recommendations for the protection of the following resources:

(1)

Open space and significant scenic views;

(2)

Prime agricultural land;

(3)

Wildlife habitat;

(4)

Sensitive ecological land (i.e., waterways, river corridors, wetlands, swamps, and natural forests);

(5)

Historic buildings, sites, or landscapes;

(6)

Other properties or resources determined by the county council to be significant for natural, cultural, or historical preservation.

(f)

In the process of developing the plan, the commission shall have the authority to coordinate activities of volunteers, organizations, business and corporate entities and government agencies for the identification, conservation, preservation and development of natural, cultural and historical resources in the county; encourage such planning activities and development as may be necessary or advisable to promote, identify, acquire, lease, conserve, maintain and develop natural, cultural and historical resources in the county; and, in conjunction with cultural and other agencies, entities or individuals, to identify, acquire, lease, maintain, preserve and develop natural, cultural and historical resources in the county.

(Ord. No. 02-03, § VII, 2-4-2002; Ord. No. 11-04, §§ 3, 4, 1-18-2011)