The Spring Lake Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to Chapter
245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-12), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972.
There shall also be two alternate members who shall be appointed
by the Borough Council and designated, at the time of their appointment
as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2". The terms of the alternate
members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate
member first appointed shall be two years and one year for Alternate
No. 2, so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall
expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration
of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired
term only.
A. An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in
which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial
interest.
B. An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings
but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate
member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
C. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one,
be removed by the governing body for cause.
The Commission is established for the protection, development
or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within
territorial limits of the municipality of Spring Lake. The Commission
shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use
of the open land areas of the municipality 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 marshland, 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 plans and programs for
inclusion in the Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the
name of the municipality 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 municipality.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and make an annual report to the governing body.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees and
incur such expenses as it may require, providing the same shall be
within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the governing body
or otherwise available to it.
The Environmental Commission shall have power to study and make
recommendations 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.