(a) There is hereby created a Delaware Natural Areas Advisory Council to advise the Secretary of the Department on the administration of nature preserves and the preservation of natural areas. (b) The Council shall have 8 members. The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control shall be an ex officio member of the Council, with a voice in its deliberations, but without the power to vote. The other members, appointed by the Governor of the State, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall be persons who have been active or have demonstrated an interest in preserving natural areas, and shall include members of public and private educational organizations, conservation organizations, industry leaders active in environmental matters, sport hunting organizations, and sport fishing organizations and shall not include more than 4 persons who belong to the same political party. Council members shall serve for a period of 4 years, except that members initially appointed to the Council shall serve as follows: Two members shall serve for 1 year; 2 members shall serve for 2 years; 2 members shall serve for 3 years; and, 2 persons shall serve for 4 years. (c) The Department shall furnish clerical, technical, legal and other services required by the Council in the performance of its official duties. (d) Members of the Council shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The Council shall hold at least 1 regular meeting in each quarter of each calendar year and shall keep a record of its proceedings, which shall be open to the public for inspection. (e) The Council shall: (1) Review and make recommendations on the Department's criteria for acquisition and dedication of nature preserves; (2) Review and make recommendations regarding inventories and registries of natural areas and nature preserves; (3) Review and make recommendations on departmental plans for the selection of particular natural areas for state acquisition; (4) Advise the Secretary on policies, rules and regulations governing the management, protection and use of nature preserves; (5) Recommend the extent and type of visitation and use to be permitted within each nature preserve; (6) Advise and consult with the Secretary and departmental employees on preservation matters; (7) Advise and consult regarding any change from dedicated status of a nature preserve; (8) Within 10 days of receiving plans from the Department for the selection of particular natural areas for state acquisition, issue written notice to adjacent landowners that such areas are being considered for state acquisition.
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