There is hereby created and established an Environmental Commission
pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq. which commission
shall be concerned with the protection, development and use of the
natural resources located in the territorial limits of the Township.
The Commission shall have the following powers:
A. The promotion of the conservation and development of the natural
resources of the Township.
B. The planning, implementing and informing of the general public with
respect to local conservation programs.
C. The responsibility to compile and maintain an index of all open areas,
publicly or privately owned, including marsh, swamps and other wetlands.
D. The conduct of all appropriate research into the possible use or
uses of open space in the Township.
E. The submission of recommendations to the Planning Board of appropriate
plans and programs for inclusion in the Township Master Plan and for
the general development and use of such areas.
F. Preparation of advertisements, books, maps, charts and other appropriate
material necessary to the discharge of its duties within the limits
of funds appropriated to it for such purpose by the Township Council.
G. To act as coordinating agency in the community with respect to conservation
matters and as a liaison between local conservation needs and the
regional, state, and federal agencies responsible for administering
to those needs.
H. The Commission shall act and discharge its duties within the limits
of funds appropriated to it for such purpose by the Township Council.
I. The Commission may adopt by-laws to provide for procedures, a copy
of which shall be provided to the Mayor and the Township Council.
The Commission, with the approval of the Township Council, may
from time to time 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 including but not limited to use as
living museum sites for scientific study areas for prehistoric interest
and scenic beauty and habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals
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, convenant or other contractual right including
conveyance or conditions or with limitations or reversions, as may
be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future
use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and
other land and water areas in the Township.
The commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report on or before the first day of February
and submit the same to the Township Council, which report shall be
comprehensive and detailed, covering operations, receipts, disbursements
and expenditures for the full year.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman
and presiding officer of the Commission. The Commission is authorized
to adopt bylaws governing its procedural operation.
The Mayor or the Council may remove any member of the Commission
for cause on written charges served upon the member and after hearing
thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person
or by counsel.