Township of Stowe, PA Chapter 36 Environmental Advisory Board

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Stowe 6-11-1991 by Ord. No. 739 (Ch. 1, Part 2A, of the 1993 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 36-1 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Environmental Advisory Board Ordinance of the Township of Stowe."

§ 36-2 Definitions and word use.

A. Rules. The following rules of construction shall apply to this chapter:

(1) For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms and words are herein defined. Whenever used in this chapter, they shall have the meaning indicated in this chapter, except where there is indicated in contrast a clearly different meaning.

(2) The particular shall control the general.

(3) In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this chapter and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.

(4) The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary. The word "may" is permissive.

(5) Words used in the present tense shall include the future; words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

§ 36-3 Creation; membership; powers and duties.

A. An advisory council to be known as the "Stowe Township Environmental Advisory Council" is hereby created and shall continue to function until this chapter is revoked.

B. The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of no less than three nor more than seven residents of this Township.

C. Council members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures.

(1) All Council members shall be appointed and all vacancies filled by the Board of Commissioners of the Township. Where two or more political subdivisions jointly establish an Environmental Advisory Council, the members shall be appointed in the same manner, by each of the respective political subdivisions establishing the Council, each constituent political subdivision to have equal membership on the joint Council.

(2) Council members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.

(3) Duly appointed Council members shall serve a term of three years, except that initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire each year, the terms of their successors to be of three years each.

(4) Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the local Planning Commission.

D. Council 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.

E. The Environmental Advisory Council is to be advisory to and shall coordinate its activities with the elected officials, Planning Commission, Recreation Board, and other such local governmental agencies.

F. The Board of Commissioners shall designate the Chairman of the Council, except that in joint councils, the Chairman shall be elected by the duly selected members.

G. The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following powers:

(1) Identify environmental problems.

(2) 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 its territorial limits.

(3) Make recommendation as to possible use of open land areas of the political subdivisions within its territorial limits.

(4) Promote a community environmental program.

(5) 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, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.

(6) Advise the appropriate local governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, the Planning Commission and Recreation and Park Board or, if none, to the elected governing body or bodies within its territorial limits in the acquisition of property, both real and personal, including, but not limited to, acquisition by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease.

(7) To undertake such environmental tasks as requested and permitted by law by the Board of Commissioners of this Township.

H. The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report, which shall be printed in the annual municipal report or otherwise made known and available.

I. The Board of Commissioners of this Township may, from time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Advisory Council. Appropriations may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing and legal services as may from time to time be required and as shall be within the limit of funds appropriated to the Environmental Advisory Council. The whole or any part of any funds so appropriated in any year may be placed in a conservation fund, allowed to accumulate from year to year, or be expended in any year.

J. The Environmental Advisory Council shall not exercise any powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon a state agency.