Environmental Commission
Jurisdiction & Powers
History:
In 1968 the New Jersey Legislature passed a law that authorized
municipalities to set up conservation commissions patterned
after those established in several New England states. The
law made the commissions advisory bodies on natural resource
planning and protection and open space issues.
Subsequent amendments have expanded environmental commission
responsibilities to include other environmental matters such
as pollution prevention and control, solid waste management,
noise control and environmental appearance, and to allow the
establishment of joint commissions by two or more municipalities.
To reflect these increased responsibilities, the Legislature
changed the name in 1972 from conservation commission to environmental
commission.
Brielle's first environmental commission was established
in 1972 and was chaired by Richard Scott. Mr. Scott was the
chair for 14 years and was the key motivator behind developing
the natural resource inventory. Currently, the Environmental
Commission is committed to maintaining Mr. Scott's very valuable
contribution to Brielle. The goal of the Commission is to
maintain the natural resources inventory and provide advice
to the planning board regarding the use and quality of Brielle's
public open space. The natural resource inventory can be seen
on these web pages. Please take some time and browse through
the inventory, you will find many interesting topics and you
may learn something new about Brielle. The following is a
list of a few more of our responsibilities as stated in the
New Jersey Statutes.
Powers: under N.J.S. 40:56A-1
study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation,
water resource management, air pollution control, solid waste
management, noise control, soil and landscape protection,
environmental appearance, marine resources, and protection
of flora and fauna to conduct research into the possible uses
of open land of the municipality advertise, prepare, print
and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets supporting
it's mission must keep and index of all open areas, publicly
or privately owned, including marsh, swamps and other wetlands
in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas
recommend to planning board or mayor plans and programs it
considers appropriate for inclusion in a municipal master
plan for the development and use of such areas
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