An advisory council to be known as the "Lower
Saucon Township Environmental Advisory Council" (EAC) is hereby created
and shall continue to function until this chapter is revoked.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be
composed of seven residents of this municipality.
Council members shall be appointed in accordance
with the following procedures:
A. All Council members shall be appointed by the governing
body of the political subdivision.
B. Council members' terms of office shall expire on the
first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.
C. Duly appointed Council members shall serve a term
of three years, except that initial appointment shall be so staggered
that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire
each year.
D. Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member
of the local Planning Commission.
Council members shall receive no compensation
for their services, but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually
and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
The EAC is to be advisory to and shall coordinate
its activities with the elected officials, planning commission, historical
commission, and other such local governmental agencies.
The governing body shall designate the Chairman
of the Council.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have
the following powers:
A. Identify environmental problems.
B. 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 area of this municipality.
C. Make recommendations as to the possible use of open
land areas of this municipality.
D. Promote a community environmental program.
E. Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately
owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, swamps and
other unique natural areas.
F. Advise the appropriate local governmental agencies
in the acquisition of property, both real and personal.
G. To undertake such environmental tasks as requested
by the governing body of this municipality.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep
records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report
that shall be printed in the annual municipal report or otherwise
made known and available. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded
to the governing body.
The governing body of this municipality may,
from time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by
the Council.