§ 965. Advisory committees to the council. The council shall establish advisory committees to make recommendations and provide guidance to the council for the preparation and implementation of the comprehensive management plan. A citizens advisory committee, technical advisory committee, management advisory committee, and a local government advisory committee shall be formed. The committees may prepare reports, recommend studies and submit findings and recommendations to the council. The council shall make the initial appointments to the advisory committees. Each appointed member shall be a voting member of the advisory committee. The advisory committees shall meet and elect a chair. Once a chair is elected, the committee can appoint other voting members with expertise related to the function of the committee.

1. The citizens advisory committee shall be comprised of representatives of citizens or civic groups, environmental groups, user groups, and business organizations. The purpose of the committee shall be to integrate citizens' and user groups' concerns in the planning and decision-making process and to encourage public education and involvement. The committee membership shall include but not be limited to a representative of the Fire Island Association, a representative of Bluepoints Company Incorporated, a representative of a recreational boating association, a member of the Tribal council of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, and a member of the Long Island Farm Bureau.

2. The technical advisory committee shall be comprised of individuals with technical expertise, including but not limited to scientists, engineers and planners. The purpose of the committee shall be to review and oversee studies, interpret and evaluate existing and new data to determine causes and effects of environmental problems, and provide technical support for the development of management measures and policies. The committee membership shall include but not be limited to the director of the Marine Science Center at the Long Island University at Southampton; the executive director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board; the director of the New York Sea Grant Institute and the director of the Long Island Maritime Museum, all of the aforementioned whom may appoint a designee.

3. The management advisory committee shall be comprised of representatives of government agencies associated with developing policy, regulating activities or enforcing laws and regulations affecting the South Shore Estuary Reserve. The purpose of the committee shall be to analyze existing laws, regulations and management programs and to make recommendations for improvements thereof. The committee membership shall include but not be limited to the secretary of state, the director of region one of the department of environmental conservation, the director of the Long Island region office of parks, recreation and historic preservation, the commissioner of the department of economic development, the commissioner of the Suffolk county department of health services and the commissioner of the Nassau county department of health, all of the aforementioned whom may appoint a designee. The council shall request the participation of the director of region two of the federal environmental protection agency, the secretary of the United States department of the interior, and the director of the Fire Island National Seashore, all of whom may appoint a designee.

4. The local government advisory committee shall be comprised of representatives of towns, cities and villages. The purpose of the committee is to provide input regarding land use issues, zoning, planning and local implementation.