[Adopted by Bill No. 84-17[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This legislation was included as Ch. 2, Art. XII, Div. 17A, of the 1978 Code.
[Amended by Bill No. 99-15]
There is hereby created an Environmental Advisory Board for Harford County. The Board shall consist of 11 members, all of whom shall be residents of Harford County. Members of the Board shall be selected generally to be representative of organizations concerned with environmental issues. Members shall be drawn from the following: existing conservation and environmental groups, the agricultural community, the homebuilders' associations, consulting engineers, technical professions, major County institutions and citizens at large. Members of the Board shall be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council pursuant to Section 412 of the Charter.
[Amended by Bill No. 13-40]
A. 
Members of the Board shall serve terms coterminous with the County Council and the County Executive, unless, by resolution, the County Council and the County Executive end the Board's tenure on or before the first of July in any given year.
B. 
The Director of Planning, the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Director of Public Works and the local health officer or their designees shall be ex officio, nonvoting members of the Board.
C. 
One (1) member of the Environmental Advisory Board shall serve as an ex officio to the Planning Advisory Board.
D. 
A member of the Board may be removed only for cause by the County Executive, subject to approval by the County Council.
E. 
Any member of the Board missing 3 consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have terminated his or her membership on the Board unless the Board shall, by majority vote, excuse one or more of the absences.
The members of the Board shall serve without compensation, provided that members may be reimbursed by the County for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.
The officers of the Board shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed by the County Executive, and a Vice Chairperson, elected annually by the members of the Board from among its voting members.
All vacancies on the Board shall be filled by appointment by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council for the unexpired term of the original appointee.
[Amended by Bill No. 99-15]
A. 
The Board shall meet at least bimonthly and at such times as necessary to carry out its functions.
B. 
Six members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
C. 
The Board may adopt such rules as are necessary to govern its business.
The purpose of the Board shall be to advise the County Executive and the County Council on environmental issues of concern to the citizens of Harford County, to encourage the preservation and protection of the natural environment of the County and to work with federal, state or local agencies, boards or commissions or private organizations in furthering the goal of preserving and protecting the environment of the County and encouraging cooperation in their efforts.
A. 
The Board shall:
(1) 
Review management recommendations that have evolved from the summary reports of the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program. These recommendations shall include but are not limited to the Governor's initiatives and the regulations prepared by the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland State Department of Agriculture and the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Board shall evaluate these initiatives and regulations in light of their effects on Harford County and develop recommendations that will lead to local government implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Program recommendations.
(2) 
Review and comment on major County plans prior to adoption to ensure that environmental concerns are adequately addressed. These plans shall include the Master Plan, open space plan, watershed plans, stormwater management plan, flood management plan, comprehensive water and sewer master plan, solid waste management plan and major road plans.
(3) 
Assist government and private organizations in educating the citizens of Harford County on issues concerning the environment.
B. 
At the request of the County Executive or the County Council, the Board shall monitor and review proposed County legislation and administrative rules and regulations which may have a significant impact on the environment of the County and make such recommendations as necessary.
C. 
The County Executive, upon the Board's request, may authorize the Board to study, evaluate and recommend to the County Executive on any matter which may have a significant impact on the natural environment of the County.
The Board shall annually submit a report to the County Executive and County Council. The report shall contain a summary of all activities of the Board for the preceding year and shall contain recommendations and evaluations of activities taking place in the County on subjects which fall within the general functions of the Board. The Board may issue such other reports as it may deem necessary.