[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Marple 4-11-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-3. Amendments noted where applicable.]
In accordance 53 Pa. C.S.A. § 2322, the Marple Township
Environmental Advisory Council (the "Council") is hereby established
to advise other Township agencies, including, but not limited to,
the Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Board and elected officials,
on matters dealing with protection, conservation, management, promotion
and use of natural resources, including air, land and water resources,
and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment
within Marple Township.
A.
Composition. The Council shall be composed of five residents of the
Township, who shall be appointed and all vacancies filled by the Board
of Commissioners.
B.
Term of office. Council members shall serve for three years except
that initial appointments shall be staggered so that the terms of
approximately one-third of the membership shall expire each year,
the terms of their successors to be of three years each.
C.
Compensation and expenses. Members shall receive no compensation
for their services, but shall be reimbursed for the expenses actually
and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties,
provided that the incurring of such expenses is approved by the Board
of Commissioners in advance of incurring same.
D.
Chairman. The Board of Commissioners shall designate the chairman
of the Environmental Advisory Council. Whenever possible, one member
shall also be a member of the Township Planning Commission.
The Marple Township Environmental Advisory Council shall have
the power to:
A.
Identify environmental problems and 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 Township.
B.
Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of
the Township within its territorial limits.
C.
Promote a community environmental program.
D.
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the
purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of those areas.
E.
Advise the appropriate Marple Township agencies, including the Marple
Township Planning Commission and Marple Township Park and Recreation
Board and the Township Commissioners, in the acquisition of both real
and personal property by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement,
devise or lease, in matters dealing with the purposes of this section.
The Board shall keep records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report which shall be printed in the annual
report of the Township or, if none, otherwise made known and available.
The Marple Township Board of Commissioners may appropriate funds
for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Advisory Council. Appropriations
may be expended for those administrative, clerical, printing and legal
services as may be required and as shall be within the limit of funds
appropriated to the Council. The whole or any part of any funds so
appropriated in any year may be placed in a conservation fund and
allowed to accumulate from year to year or may be expended in any
year.
