[Adopted by Bill No. 84-17[1]]
[Amended by Bill No. 99-15]
There is hereby created an Environmental Advisory
Board for Harford County. The Board shall consist of 11 members, all
of whom shall be residents of Harford County. Members of the Board
shall be selected generally to be representative of organizations
concerned with environmental issues. Members shall be drawn from the
following: existing conservation and environmental groups, the agricultural
community, the homebuilders' associations, consulting engineers, technical
professions, major County institutions and citizens at large. Members
of the Board shall be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed
by the County Council pursuant to Section 412 of the Charter.
[Amended by Bill No. 13-40]
A.
Members
of the Board shall serve terms coterminous with the County Council
and the County Executive, unless, by resolution, the County Council
and the County Executive end the Board's tenure on or before the first
of July in any given year.
B.
The
Director of Planning, the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Director
of Public Works and the local health officer or their designees shall
be ex officio, nonvoting members of the Board.
C.
One
(1) member of the Environmental Advisory Board shall serve as an ex
officio to the Planning Advisory Board.
D.
A member of the Board may be removed only for cause by the County
Executive, subject to approval by the County Council.
E.
Any member of the Board missing 3 consecutive meetings shall be deemed
to have terminated his or her membership on the Board unless the Board
shall, by majority vote, excuse one or more of the absences.
The members of the Board shall serve without
compensation, provided that members may be reimbursed by the County
for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of
their duties.
The officers of the Board shall consist of a
Chairperson, appointed by the County Executive, and a Vice Chairperson,
elected annually by the members of the Board from among its voting
members.
All vacancies on the Board shall be filled by
appointment by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council
for the unexpired term of the original appointee.
[Amended by Bill No. 99-15]
The purpose of the Board shall be to advise
the County Executive and the County Council on environmental issues
of concern to the citizens of Harford County, to encourage the preservation
and protection of the natural environment of the County and to work
with federal, state or local agencies, boards or commissions or private
organizations in furthering the goal of preserving and protecting
the environment of the County and encouraging cooperation in their
efforts.
A.
The Board shall:
(1)
Review management recommendations that have evolved
from the summary reports of the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake
Bay Program. These recommendations shall include but are not limited
to the Governor's initiatives and the regulations prepared by the
Maryland State Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland State
Department of Agriculture and the Maryland State Department of Health
and Mental Hygiene. The Board shall evaluate these initiatives and
regulations in light of their effects on Harford County and develop
recommendations that will lead to local government implementation
of the Chesapeake Bay Program recommendations.
(2)
Review and comment on major County plans prior to
adoption to ensure that environmental concerns are adequately addressed.
These plans shall include the Master Plan, open space plan, watershed
plans, stormwater management plan, flood management plan, comprehensive
water and sewer master plan, solid waste management plan and major
road plans.
(3)
Assist government and private organizations in educating
the citizens of Harford County on issues concerning the environment.
B.
At the request of the County Executive or the County
Council, the Board shall monitor and review proposed County legislation
and administrative rules and regulations which may have a significant
impact on the environment of the County and make such recommendations
as necessary.
C.
The County Executive, upon the Board's request, may
authorize the Board to study, evaluate and recommend to the County
Executive on any matter which may have a significant impact on the
natural environment of the County.
The Board shall annually submit a report to
the County Executive and County Council. The report shall contain
a summary of all activities of the Board for the preceding year and
shall contain recommendations and evaluations of activities taking
place in the County on subjects which fall within the general functions
of the Board. The Board may issue such other reports as it may deem
necessary.
