[Adopted by Ord. No. 1973-2, as amended through Ord. No. 1982-2 (§ 2-21 of the 1972 Ocean Codified Ordinances)]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., an Environmental Commission
is established for the protection, development and use of natural
resources, including water resources within the Township.
A.
The Environmental
Commission shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Mayor
of the Township, one of whom shall be a permanent resident of the
Township. The Mayor shall appoint one member of the Commission to
serve as Chairperson and presiding officer. All of said members are
to serve without compensation.
B.
In addition,
there shall be two alternate members of the Environmental Commission,
which alternate members shall be designated as Alternate No. 1 and
Alternate No. 2 at the time of their appointment. Alternate members
may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote
except in the absence of or disqualification of a regular member.
A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote
instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be
made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall
vote first.
[Added 9-23-2010 by Ord.
No. 2010-3]
A.
The terms
of office of the original commissioners shall be for a period of one,
two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor. The terms of approximately
one-third of the members shall expire each year. Thereafter, their
successor shall be appointed for three-year terms each.
B.
The terms
of alternate members shall be for two years, except the terms of the
alternate members first appointed shall be two years for Alternate
No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that the term of not more
than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy
occurring otherwise than be expiration of term shall be filled by
the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.
[Added 9-23-2010 by Ord.
No. 2010-3]
The powers and duties of the Environmental Commission shall
be as designated in N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2 et seq., including the power
to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land
areas of the Township, to coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes, and to advertise, prepare,
print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which
in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep
an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information
on the proper use of such areas, and may from time to time recommend
to the Planning Board, plans and programs for inclusion in the Master
Plan and the development and use of such areas.
It is the express intention and purpose of the Committee to
support the Environmental Commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-5.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the Township Committee, acquire property, both real and personal,
in the name of the Township, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise
or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for
such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such
an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development
right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other
contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations
or reversions), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve,
protect, limit the future use or otherwise conserve and properly utilize
open spaces and other lands and water areas in the Township.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.
