New York State Natural Beauty Commission Minutes and Subject Files

Arranged roughly by subject, or by meeting date.

The Natural Beauty Commission was created in the Office for Local Government pursuant to Chapter 828 of the Laws of 1966. It was charged with developing programs for the preservation and enhancement of the state's natural and man-made beauty; assisting and coordinating activities of state agencies in this regard; advising local governments on programs to preserve and enhance the state's beauty; studying and inventorying New York's natural and man-made beauty resources; designating and preserving scenic sites; and promoting aesthetic considerations in state construction projects.

Commission members included the commissioners of Commerce, Conservation, Housing and Community Renewal, Health, General Services, Transportation, Office for Local Government (chair), the Director of the Office for Program Coordination, and the Chairman of the Council on the Arts. Charles C. Morrison, Jr. served as director of the commission. The commission was abolished by Chapter 140 of the Laws of 1970, which transferred its functions and records to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The commission directed its attention to such matters as open space; scenic and natural area preservation; community appearance; sign control; surface mining; junk car disposal; solid waste disposal; litter control; and historic preservation. It sponsored a statewide survey of environmental problems and action programs at the local level, as well as various other activities.

The series consists of the files of the director of the Natural Beauty Commission, Charles C. Morrison, Jr. Included are subject and correspondence files, consultant reports, commission reports, meeting minutes, and meeting files (including agenda and documents discussed at the meetings).

Container list is available at the repository.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.