The municipality of the Borough of Oceanport Environmental Commission
is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968
(N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-12), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972,
for the protection, development or use of the natural resources located
within the territorial limits of the Borough.
The Commission is established for the protection, development
or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within
territorial limits of the municipality of the Borough of Oceanport.
The Commission shall have the following powers:
A. Promote the conservation and development of the natural resources
and environment of the Borough of Oceanport.
B. Plan, implement and inform the public about local environmental programs.
C. Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas
of the municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes.
D. May advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts,
plans and pamphlets, which in its judgment it deems necessary for
its purposes.
E. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned,
including open marshland, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain
information on the proper use of such areas.
F. Recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion
in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the
name of the municipality 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 of, or otherwise conserve and properly
utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and make an annual report to the governing body.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees and
incur such expenses as it may, from time to time, require, providing
the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by
the governing body or otherwise available to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have power to study and make
recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources
management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control,
soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources
and protection of flora and fauna.