Pursuant to L. 1972, c. 35 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.), there is hereby
established in and for the Township of Lebanon an Environmental Commission,
to be known as the "Lebanon Township Environmental and Open Space Commission."
Meetings of the Commission shall be held monthly on such dates as determined
by the Commission at its annual reorganization meeting.
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to conduct research
into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township and may
coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes,
and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans
and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It
shall 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, and may from time to time recommend to the
Lebanon Township Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a Township
Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental 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 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 shall make an annual report to the Lebanon Township Committee.
This Commission may be dissolved at any time by the majority vote of
the Township Committee.