[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Schuylkill 4-3-1974. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Environmental Advisory Council hereby established shall
be called the "Environmental Advisory Council of Schuylkill Township."
The purposes of the said Environmental Advisory Council, hereinafter
called "Council," shall be to advise other local governmental agencies,
including, but not limited to, the Planning Commission and the elected
officials of the Township, on matters dealing with protection, conservation,
management, promotion and use of natural resources, including air,
land and water resources, located within the territorial limits of
the Township and to establish liaison and cooperate with Environmental
Advisory Councils of other municipalities or like agencies at the
municipal, county, state or federal level and also with nongovernmental
organizations that have an interest in improving natural resources
and the environment.
[Amended 11-4-1992; 1-3-2006 by Ord. No. 2005-08; 10-3-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-03; 4-1-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
The Council shall be composed of 10 residents of Schuylkill
Township, seven Council members and three nonvoting alternate Council
members, who will be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Such duly
appointed Council members shall serve for a term of three years, except
that each appointment shall be staggered so that terms of approximately
1/3 of the members shall expire each year; the terms of their successors
are to be of three years each.
Members will receive no compensation for their services, but
will be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred
by them in the performance of their duties upon bills duly presented
for such expenses to the Board.
A.
The Council will have the power to identify environmental problems
and recommend plans and programs to the Board of Supervisors and to
other appropriate agencies for the promotion and conservation of the
natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality
of the environment within the Township.
B.
To make recommendations as to the use of open land areas within the
Township.
C.
To keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned,
including, but not limited to, flood-prone areas, wetlands, and other
unique and natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information
on and to make recommendations for the proper use of such areas.
[Amended 11-4-1992]
D.
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission with
respect to the acquisition of property, both real and personal, by
gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease, in matters
dealing with the protection, conservation, management promotion, and
use of open space, and other natural resources; and to formulate,
advise, recommend and promote to the Board of Supervisors and the
Planning Commission policies for the management, use, and development
of open space, park, and recreation areas; and to review and comment
on subdivision and land development plans.
[Amended 11-4-1992]
E.
The Council shall not exercise any powers or perform any duties which,
by law, are conferred or imposed upon the Board of Supervisors, the
Planning Commission or any state agency.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its
meetings and activities and shall make an annual report, a copy of
which shall be presented to the Supervisors, by no later than the
March meeting of the Board of Supervisors, and copies of such report
shall be made available for public inspection thereafter.
[Amended 1-7-2013 by Ord.
No. 2013-01]
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses
incurred by the Environmental Advisory Council, which sums, upon bills
presented, may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing
and consulting services as may, from time to time, be required and
as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to the Environmental
Advisory Committee, and such annual expenditures shall not exceed
the amount of funds appropriated to the Council.
A.
The Council, as it shall be instructed by the Board or as it deems
advisable, shall request and obtain assistance from the Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources in such matters as educational
services, exchange of information, assignment of the services of technical
personnel for natural resources planning assistance and the coordination
of its activities with state and other local conservation activities.[1]
B.
The Council, under the direction of the Board or upon its own initiative,
may obtain assistance and advice in planning for the management, use
and development of open space and recreation areas.
C.
The Council should cooperate with other such state, federal, local
or intergovernmental and private environmental advisory, consulting
and assistant agencies, groups, clubs and organizations as may be
helpful to it in effectuating the purposes of this chapter for the
benefit of the Township and its residents and others concerned in
such matters.