Section 29-0501. Citizen advisory committee on permanent disposal facilities siting and disposal method selection

1.  A  citizen  advisory  committee  on  siting  and  disposal  method
  selection  for  permanent  disposal  facilities  is  hereby  established
  independent of the commission and shall continue in existence until  the
  department  has issued its final environmental impact statement pursuant
  to section 29-0105 of this article. The members shall  be  appointed  by
  the  governor  and  shall  consist of: two representatives of non-profit
  environmental organizations; two health physicists  or  medical  doctors
  knowledgeable  of  radiation  health  effects;  two  representatives  of
  low-level radioactive waste generators in New York;  a  private  citizen
  residing  in  New  York  who  is technically competent and knowledgeable
  concerning low-level radioactive waste; four private citizens,  residing
  in  New  York  who  are  knowledgeable  concerning low-level radioactive
  waste,  of  whom  one  shall  be  knowledgeable   and   experienced   in
  agricultural production and one in local public health services; and one
  elected  local  government  representative  of  each  county  in which a
  candidate site has been identified, which county  shall  be  represented
  until  such  time  as no candidate site is being considered therein and,
  upon issuance of the commission's draft environmental  impact  statement
  pursuant  to  subdivision  six of section 29-0303 of this article, three
  private citizens from the county within  which  each  proposed  site  is
  primarily  located. The governor shall designate the chairman from among
  the members of the committee. No member shall receive any  compensation,
  but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses
  in performing the duties of the citizen advisory committee.
    2. The citizen advisory committee shall:
    a.  meet  at  least  bi-monthly  to  provide  information  and  review
  activities of the commission and the  department  pursuant  to  sections
  29-0103,  29-0105,  29-0303 and 29-0509 of this article and to receive a
  written report from  the  commission,  the  department  and  the  energy
  research and development authority on plans and progress in carrying out
  activities  and  duties  pursuant  to  the  low-level  radioactive waste
  management act. In particular,  the  citizen  advisory  committee  shall
  provide  information and recommendations in response to the commission's
  draft environmental  impact  statements  prepared  pursuant  to  section
  29-0303 of this article, including reviewing public views, comments, and
  information submitted in response thereto;
    b.  review  and  comment  semi-annually  on the commission's plans and
  schedule for carrying out the provisions  of  section  29-0303  of  this
  article;
    c.  have  minutes  taken  of  each  meeting  of  the  citizen advisory
  committee and make them available to the public within ten working  days
  from the date of the meeting, and a video or audio record of any meeting
  sponsored  by the committee shall be kept, copies of which shall be made
  available at the actual cost of reproduction;
    d. consult with and advise the commissioner of health in planning  and
  carrying  out  a  public  information and education program on low-level
  radioactive waste pursuant to the provisions of article twenty-four-C of
  the public health law;
    e. hire an executive director, and clerical support, and may  contract
  for necessary specialized services;
    f.  facilitate the public review and comment process and issue reports
  containing the committee's comments and recommendations concerning:
    (i) the candidate disposal method selection process;
    (ii) the site selection process, including previously  excluded  lands
  and voluntary sites;
    (iii) site characterization;

    (iv)  the  process  for  matching the site with the preferred disposal
  method;
    (v) the draft environmental impact statement; and
    (vi)   the   manner   in   which   the   commission  carries  out  its
  responsibilities to keep the public informed of its activities;
    g. make copies of its reports available to the public upon request and
  submit copies to the governor, the majority leader of  the  senate,  the
  speaker  of  the  assembly,  the  minority  leader of the senate and the
  minority leader of the assembly; and
    h. exercise and perform such other advisory functions related  to  the
  commission's  or  the  department's  activities  conducted  pursuant  to
  sections 29-0103, 29-0105, 29-0303 and 29-0509 of this  article  as  the
  chairman of the commission or commissioner of environmental conservation
  may request.
    3.  The department of health shall provide such administrative support
  services  to  the  citizen  advisory  committee  as  may  be  determined
  reasonable for the proper execution of the committee's responsibilities.
    4.  All  agencies  and authorities of the state are hereby directed to
  cooperate with the citizen advisory committee in order to facilitate and
  expedite the responsibilities and duties of the committee.