The Township of Washington Environmental Commission is hereby established
pursuant to the authorization contained in N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
The Commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use
and possible use of the open land areas and other natural resources of the
municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for similar purposes within the township and may advertise, prepare, print
and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets and other information
which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep
an index of all public or privately owned areas, including open marshlands,
swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use
of such areas and may from time to time recommend to the Planning Board and
to the governing body plans and programs for inclusion in municipal master
plans in the development and use of such areas. In addition to the foregoing,
the Board shall have such powers as from time to time the Township Committee
may, by ordinance, authorize, pursuant to subsequent enabling legislation.
The Washington Township Environmental Commission may, subject to the
approval of the Township Committee, acquire real and personal property, in
the name of the municipality, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise, lease
or otherwise, for any of its purposes, and shall administer the same for such
purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such acquisitions
may be in the form of fee or lesser title interests, development right, easements
(including conservation easements), covenants or other contractual rights
(including conveyance on condition or with limitation or reservations) 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 Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and, in January of each year, shall make an annual report to the
Township Committee.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other clerical assistants
or employees as it may from time to time require, provided that any compensation
of such employees shall be limited to funds appropriated for such purpose
by the Township Committee.