There is hereby created and established an Environmental Commission
for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including
water resources, located within the territorial limits of the Township
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented.
The Environmental Commission shall have the following powers
and duties, which shall be exercised within the limits of funds appropriated
to the Commission:
A. To study and to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council 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.
B. To conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land
areas of the Township and to coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies of the Township organized for similar purposes.
C. To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts,
plans and pamphlets.
D. To keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned,
including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to
obtain information on the proper use of such areas. The Commission
may recommend to the Planning Board of the Township plans and programs
for inclusion in the Township Master Plan and for the development
and use of such areas.
E. To operate conservation programs on lands donated or purchased for
conservation purposes by the Township.
F. To do such other acts and things as are reasonably related to and
designated to carry out the purposes and objectives of this Commission
and which it is authorized to do by law.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the Township Council, 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 or otherwise conserve and properly utilize
open spaces and other land and water areas in the Township.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as
it may require, but only within the limits of funds appropriated for
such purposes by the Township Council.
Council, in its discretion, may annually fix, determine and
appropriate sums sufficient for the care, custody, leasing and maintenance
of such land acquired for these uses and purposes herein stated if
necessary and for the expenses of the Commission.