[Amended 12-3-1991 by Ord. No. 91-29]
There is established in the Township a Commission to be known as the "Stillwater Township Environmental Commission" in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
[Amended 1-20-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-1]
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor. One member shall be a member of the Municipal Planning Board. The terms of office of the Commissioners shall be staggered for one-, two- or three-year terms to be designated by the Mayor in making his appointments so that the terms of approximately one-third of the members shall expire each year. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. There shall also be two alternate members whose terms shall be two years, except that the terms of the alternates first appointed shall be two years for Alternate Number 1 and one year for Alternate Number 2. An alternate member may participate in the discussion of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence of or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate Number 1 shall vote first. All members and alternate members shall be residents of the Township of Stillwater.
The members of the Environmental Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. They shall serve for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
The Mayor and Township Committee 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. Failure to attend three successive regular meetings, whether through illness, disability or otherwise, shall be prima facie cause for removal. A vacancy on the Commission occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
The Commission shall have and enjoy the following powers and duties:
A. 
To conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas in the Township.
B. 
To coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for the purpose of promoting the conservation and development of natural resources.
C. 
To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes.
D. 
It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marsh lands, swamps and other wet lands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and from time to time recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Municipal Master Plan for the development and use of such areas.
E. 
Appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.
F. 
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities, and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee.
G. 
Generally, the Commission shall have the power to do all things necessary to promote the conservation and development of the Township's natural resources, to provide the impetus and take leadership in natural resources planning, and to inform the public about local conservation programs and the need for conserving the natural resources of the Township.
The Commission may, subject to the approval of the Township Committee, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the Township 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 or properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
The Conservation Commission shall organize annually by the selection of one of its members as Chairman, one as Vice Chairman and one as Secretary. Such officers shall perform the duties usually associated with such offices.
Meetings of the Conservation Commission shall be held at regular intervals on such dates as it determines, and at the call of the Chairman.