Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56A,
there is hereby created an Environmental Commission of the City of
Vineland for the protection, care and development of the natural resources
within the territorial limits of the City of Vineland.
The Environmental Commission of the City of
Vineland:
A. Shall conduct research into the use and possible use
of open land areas within the City of Vineland.
B. Shall compile and maintain an index of all open areas,
publicly and privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and
other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of
such areas.
C. May 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.
D. With the approval of the City Council, may acquire
property, both real and personal, in the name of the City of Vineland,
by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease, for any of its
purposes, including but not limited to use as living museums, sites
for scientific study, areas for teaching of natural history and conservation,
places of historic or prehistoric interest and scenic beauty and habitats
for rare and endangered plants and animals, and shall administer the
property for such purposes, subject to the terms of conveyance. Such
an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development
right, easement, convenant or other contractual right 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 City of Vineland.
E. May adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the
use of the property acquired and to govern the conduct of persons
while on or using said property.
F. May recommend to the City Planning Board plans and
programs for inclusion in the Master Plan of the City of Vineland.
G. May advertise, prepare, print and distribute books,
maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems
necessary for its purposes.
H. May plan, implement and inform the public about local
environmental programs.
I. May coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies
organized for similar purposes.
J. May adopt bylaws governing its procedural operation.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records
of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to
the City Council in January of each year. The annual report shall
be a detailed and comprehensive report of operations, receipts and
expenditures, proposed activities and recommendations.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-5, the City Council
shall annually fix, determine and appropriate a sum sufficient for
the care, custody, policing and maintenance of property acquired for
the uses stated herein and for the operating expenses of the Commission
by taxation in the same manner as other taxes.
The Commission may appoint a Secretary or Clerk
and such number of custodians, supervisors and assistants for any
property acquired pursuant to this chapter as it shall deem necessary.
The salaries of any such employees shall be fixed and determined by
the City Council. The total salaries of all such persons shall be
within the limits of funds appropriated to the Commission.
The Mayor or City Council may remove any member
of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member
and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled
to be heard in person or by counsel.
As of the effective date of this chapter, the
Board of Natural Areas Preservation Commissioners is hereby abolished.
The records of said Board shall be transferred to the Environmental
Commission.