Sec. 23.1-3. Wetlands board—Generally.

(a) There is hereby continued a wetlands board, which shall consist of five (5) residents of the county appointed by the board of supervisors. All terms of office shall be for five (5) years each except that original appointments shall be made for such terms that the term of one member shall expire each year. The chair of the board shall notify the board of supervisors at least thirty (30) days in advance of the expiration of any term of office, and shall also notify the board of supervisors promptly if any vacancy occurs. Such vacancies shall be filled by the board of supervisors without any delay, upon receipt of such notice. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Members may serve successive terms. A member whose term expires shall continue to serve until his/her successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the board shall hold no other public office in the county, except that they may be members of the local planning or zoning commission, members of a board established by the local governing body to hear cases regarding ordinances adopted pursuant to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and regulations promulgated thereunder, directors of soil and water conservation boards, or local erosion commissions, or on the local board of zoning appeals. Where members of these local commissions or boards are appointed to a local wetlands board, their terms of appointment shall be coterminous with their membership on those boards or commissions.  The board of supervisors shall also appoint at least one but not more than three alternate members to the wetlands board.  The qualifications, terms, and compensation of alternate members shall be the same as those of members.  Any member who knows that he will not be able to attend a board meeting shall notify the chairman at least 24 hours in advance of such meeting.  The chairman shall select an alternate member to serve in place of the absent member at the board meeting, which shall be noted in the records of the board.