The Township of Galloway 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, inclusive), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972.
The Commission is established for the protection, development or use
of natural resources, including water resources, located within territorial
limits of the township. The Commission shall have 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 and the
development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of 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 reservations), 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 make an annual report to the Council.
The Council may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Commission.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from
time to time require, providing the same shall be within the limits of funds
appropriated to it by the Council.
The Environmental Commission shall have the 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.