[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.
