CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

Environmental/Open Space Member

 

Purpose:

 

The Legislation that created the Open Space Authority requires the Board to establish a Citizens Advisory Committee whose members should be selected based on criteria that provides a broad representation of interests within the OSA's jurisdiction. (California Public Resources Code 35171(a).  The Environmental Member brings an environmental perspective to the deliberations of the Citizens Advisory Committee, which advises and makes recommendations to the OSA Board.

 

Qualifications:

 

Ø      Be familiar with environmental issues including endangered species, habitat protection, air and water quality, transportation, growth, and open space recreational issues, preferably within the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority boundaries.

 

Ø      Be familiar with specific local environmental issues.  Current examples include “smart growth” development in Coyote Valley, San Jose City’s Urban Growth Boundary, and protection of serpentine habitats, riparian corridor policies, and Gilroy agricultural land protection.

 

Ø      Be familiar with local environmental clubs and governmental agencies involved in land use planning and environmental issues such as the Loma Prieta Sierra Club, Greenbelt Alliance, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Santa Clara Valley Water District, City and County governments.

 

Ø      A willingness to constructively contribute to discussions and deliberations of proposals involving acquisitions, funding, policies, procedures and other issues.  

 

Responsibilities:

 

Ø      Read the Citizens Advisory Committee Handbook, the Open Space Authority 5-Year Plan, and other documentation to become familiar with current issues and their background.

 

Ø      Attend CAC training sessions, support Open Space Authority at several of the community volunteer activities scheduled during the year and attend other meetings as directed.

 

Ø      When speaking in public make it clear that the opinions you are expressing are your own unless you are specifically authorized by the Board to represent the Open Space Authority.

 

Ø      Regularly participate in CAC Meetings and subcommittee task groups as established by the CAC and the Board.

 

Ø      Be alert to issues, problems and needs that are expressed by the environmental community, and the general public as related to open space.