Township of Bear Creek, PA Chapter 14 Environmental Advisory Council

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Bear Creek Township 7-5-1978. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 14-1 Creation.

An advisory council, to be known as the "Bear Creek Township Environmental Advisory Council," is hereby created and shall continue to function until this chapter is revoked.

§ 14-2 Composition.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of residents of this municipality.

§ 14-3 Appointment procedure.

Council members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:

A. All Council members shall be appointed by the governing body of the political subdivision.

B. Council members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.

C. Duly appointed Council members shall serve a term of three years, except that initial appointment shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire each year.

D. Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the local Planning Commission.

§ 14-4 Compensation and expense reimbursement.

Council members shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

§ 14-5 Council to be advisory.

The Environmental Advisory Council is to be advisory to and shall coordinate its activities with the elected officials, Planning Commission, Recreation Board and other such local governmental agencies.

§ 14-6 Designation of Chairman.

The governing body shall designate the Chairman of the Council.

§ 14-7 Powers and duties.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following powers:

A. Identify environmental problems.

B. Recommend plans and programs to the 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 area of this municipality.

C. Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of this municipality.

D. Promote a community environmental program.

E. Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas.

F. Advise the appropriate local governmental agencies in the acquisition of property, both real and personal.

G. Undertake such environmental tasks as requested by the governing body of this municipality.

§ 14-8 Recordkeeping.

The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report, which shall be printed in the annual municipal report or otherwise made known and available.

§ 14-9 Appropriation of funds.

The governing body of this municipality may, from time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Council.