[Amended 5-16-2007 by Ord. No. 12-2007]
The Environmental Commission of the Township
of West Amwell is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the
Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A1-5).
The Commission is established for the protection,
development and use of natural resources, including water resources,
located within the territorial limits of the Township of West Amwell.
The 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 Planning Board plans and programs
for inclusion in the Master Plan when adopted and for 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 lessor
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 of West Amwell.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and make an annual report to the Township Committee.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other
employees as it may, from time to time, require, provided that the
same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the
Township Committee.