THEABCS OF EACS: Understanding the Benefits and Roles of Environmental Advisory Councils

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THEABCS OF EACS: Understanding the Benefits and Roles of Environmental Advisory Councils SPEAKERS Glenda Boyer, Assistant Manager Mechanicsburg Borough Lisa Heilman, Borough Manager/Treasurer

1 THEABCS OF EACS: Understanding the Benefits and Roles of Environmental Advisory Councils SPEAKERS Glenda Boyer, Assistant Manager Mechanicsburg Borough Lisa Heilman, Borough Manager/Treasurer Robesonia Borough Ron Santo, EAC Member Mechanicsburg Borough EAC Jeanne Ortiz, Municipal Outreach Specialist Audubon PA Nicole Faraguna, Director of Outreach & Education Pennsylvania Land Trust Association WHAT ARE EACS? Official body of municipal government, enacted through ordinance Advise municipal officials on range of environmental issues Community members appointed by Council Serves in advisory role, not an advocacy or adversary role Volunteers, not compensated 2 1

FORMING EACS Authorized under Municipalities Planning Code (Act 177) A sparkplug helps to inform and inspire elected officials Support of elected officials Passage of municipal ordinance Appointment

2 FORMING EACS Authorized under Municipalities Planning Code (Act 177) A sparkplug helps to inform and inspire elected officials Support of elected officials Passage of municipal ordinance Appointment of 3-7 EAC members for staggered 3-year terms Municipal Board should designate an EAC delegate => Bridge EAC and municipal board Municipal Board selects the chair (with exception to a multimunicipal EAC in which the EAC chooses the chair) Municipal boards are enabled through Act 177 to appropriate funds for the operation of the EAC but designated funding is not mandated 3 ONCE AN EACIS FORMED, THE EAC SHOULD: Familiarize themselves with appropriate laws, codes, regulations and ordinances Have a meeting with Municipal Board to discuss expectations Establish appropriate committees Set up schedule for meetings Consider the appointment of associate members Consider cooperative efforts with adjoining municipalities and EACs 4 2

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF EACS EACs are expected to servein an advisory role EACs are required to keep records of meetings and activities EACs are required to meet regularly and make the public aware of

3 WHAT IS REQUIRED OF EACS EACs are expected to servein an advisory role EACs are required to keep records of meetings and activities EACs are required to meet regularly and make the public aware of meeting schedule EACs are required to complete an annual report that is made available to the public EACs are required to follow open records laws 5 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL EACS Open dialog with municipal officials Members with interest and/or experience in environmentally-related issues Reasonable agenda of activities A focus on education Work to support/assist the Municipal Board Agenda set in concert with elected officials Familiarize yourself with the governmental structure, ordinance, commissions and committees Understand laws that pertain to the work of the EAC Inform your community about accomplishments 6 3

the Board A small designation of funds, if possible, that can help the EAC implement its

4 HOW MUNICIPAL BOARDS CAN HELP EACS TO SUCCEED Clear expectations A staff or council member who is willing to serve as a delegate Regular opportunities to discuss ideas and issues with the Board A small designation of funds, if possible, that can help the EAC implement its educational programs A designated page on the municipality s website 7 WHERE EACS ARE WORKING 1 8 4

5 Slide 8 1 NOT SURE IF IT MAKES SENSE TO INCLUDE THIS SINCE IT IS VERY OUTDATED Nicole Faraguna, 9/12/2014

THE SURVEY SAYS A survey of existing EACs found: The majority of EACs meet monthly Approximately 21% of EACs have dedicated funding 11% of EACs report that Municipal Board provide funding as needed

6 THE SURVEY SAYS A survey of existing EACs found: The majority of EACs meet monthly Approximately 21% of EACs have dedicated funding 11% of EACs report that Municipal Board provide funding as needed 18% of EACs solicit their own grant funding 11 organizations reported receiving a total of $404,000 in grant funding On average, EACs report having 6 members Eight EACs reported a multi-municipal EAC collaboration 9 THE POWER OF EACS Recommend plans and programs to appropriate municipal officials that would allow for the protection and conservation of natural resources Recommend use of open land areas Promote and develop environmental programs in the community 10 5

THE POWER OF EACS Keep an index of all open space, publicly and privately, to help municipal officials consider proper use of those areas Advise local government officials on the acquisition of

Establish EACs beyond municipal boundaries, working at a multi-municipal or regional level Advise local government officials on environmentaloriented ordinances 11 THE POWER OF EACS Integrate green

7 THE POWER OF EACS Keep an index of all open space, publicly and privately, to help municipal officials consider proper use of those areas Advise local government officials on the acquisition of property, both real estate and personal property for parks, trails, etc. Establish EACs beyond municipal boundaries, working at a multi-municipal or regional level Advise local government officials on environmentaloriented ordinances 11 THE POWER OF EACS Integrate green stormwater management strategies Establish and implement municipal recycling programs Host educational programs for the public on a wide variety of topics Assist in the placement of an open space referendum on the ballot Seek partnerships with conservation organizations in the community to advance conservation efforts 12 6

THE POWER OF EACS Seek grant funding on behalf of the municipality for conservation

cleanups(neighborhood, stream, trail) Organize a tree planting Assist with land use

Promoting rain gardens and rain barrels Land conservation, riparian buffers

8 THE POWER OF EACS Seek grant funding on behalf of the municipality for conservation purposes Educate the public through written and online resources Organize community cleanups(neighborhood, stream, trail) Organize a tree planting Assist with land use planning and review land development proposals 13 FOCUS ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Promoting rain gardens and rain barrels Land conservation, riparian buffers Educational forums BMP tours Stream cleanups Meadow restoration Detention basin retrofits 14 7

writing 15 FOCUS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY Educational forums Energy audit of

9 FOCUS ON TRAIL PROJECTS Identify opportunities to create and expand trail projects Public education Landowner relationships Trail maintenance Grant writing 15 FOCUS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY Educational forums Energy audit of municipal buildings Ordinances energy conservation Home energy audits LED lighting conversions 16 8

10 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH The Mechanicsburg Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) operates under the guiding principle of think globally, act locally. While in relative terms the Borough comprises a small area, the actions taken here must be considered they contribute to the overall environmental impact on the regional, state, national, and global levels. 17 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH The following objectives have been targeted by the EAC for the year Air Resources Use and Management Land Resources Use and Management Water Resources Use and Management Recycling General Environmental Impact Community Education Global Climate Change 18 9

11 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH In 2006 The Council received a WREN grant and stenciled the stormwater inlets with the Recycling Committee. In 2007the EAC worked with an Eagle Scout to oversee construction of a rain garden adjacent to the Borough s Compostpad to help with Stormwaterrunoff from that large impervious surface. The Council also worked with the Borough splanning Commission on the development and implementation of the Environmental policies outlined in the Borough s update Comprehensive Plan. In 2008the Council participated in several seedling distribution projects and Community Education events. The Group hadbooths at the Borough s Earth Day and Streets of Treats to provide Community education 19 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH In 2010The Council provided the Community with a resource guide as part of the Borough s Annual report. In the Councilreceived two TreeVitalizegrant to plant over 200trees in the Borough parks and tree lawns

12 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH In 2011 and 2012The Council successfully created and opened a Community Garden. Currentlythe group is working on MS4 community education and development of a Natural Playground within thecommunity. 21 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH 22 11

13 MECHANICSBURG BOROUGH 23 ROBESONIA BOROUGH The Robesonia Environmental Advisory Council was initially formed by a borough ordinance in The EAC has been engaged on issues related to: Stormwater Recycling Composting Native plants Strong emphasis on education 24 12

ROBESONIA BOROUGH The EAC held a series of stormwatermanagement workshops on the role they can play in mitigating flooding issues: Stormwater overview Rain gardens Native plants Rain Barrels and

14 ROBESONIA BOROUGH The EAC held a series of stormwatermanagement workshops on the role they can play in mitigating flooding issues: Stormwater overview Rain gardens Native plants Rain Barrels and Planters 25 ROBESONIA BOROUGH Workshops made possible through: Tapping local resources such as master gardeners, conservation district, conservancy and local businesses Demonstration of rain barrel and downspout planter box installed in front of borough office 26 13

15 ROBESONIA BOROUGH Recycling Education: Strong emphasis on schoolaged children Recycled products were distributed to children (frisbees, crayons) Grant through Wernersville- Robesonia-Womelsdorf Trash COG 27 ROBESONIA BOROUGH 28 14

16 ROBESONIA BOROUGH Future plans: Apply for a grant funding to partner with community library on rain garden/porous paver patio seating/reading area. A sixth grade science class has also expressed an interest in assisting in building/planting the rain garden! Collaborate with neighboring township's EAC to build a composting facility. 29 EACS AS EDUCATORS Educate municipal officials/eac members County municipal association dinner meetings Host regional EAC meetings/events Submit a proposal for the 2015 EAC Network Conference Submit a proposal to PSAB/PSAT annual training events Educate the public Speak to existing organizations (Rotary Clubs, Veterans Groups) Partner with others and host public forums on specific issues Deliver presentations to schools and universities Develop relationship with local media to encourage coverage of environmental topics 30 15

Pennsylvania Land Trust Association 31 RESOURCES The EAC Handbook This handbook contains information on what EACs are, how they are formed and run, and how they interact with their

17 TRAINING & NETWORKING Join EAC Members from across the state for this full-day of training and networking EAC Network Conference Saturday, May 9, 2015 Wyndham Gettysburg in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference May Wyndham Gettysburg Hosted by Pennsylvania Land Trust Association 31 RESOURCES The EAC Handbook This handbook contains information on what EACs are, how they are formed and run, and how they interact with their governing boards and their communities. Discussion Group Join the free EAC Network Discussion Group and connect to other EAC members directly, share documents and ideas, and engage in online discussions Sign up at EACnetwork.org/join-discussion. Web Resources 32 16

RESOURCES Comprehensive Guidance Find summary and

with your next conservation or land use project.

assortment of guides, models, publications and reports

18 RESOURCES Comprehensive Guidance Find summary and in-depth guidance on scores of topics related to conservation and land use. Find Conservation Organizations & Experts Find organizations working in your region. Find experts, in a variety of fields, that can help you with your next conservation or land use project. Access to Thousands of Library Items Download an assortment of guides, models, publications and reports related to topics of interest. 33 RESOURCES Boroughs.org KeystoneFund.org GetOutdoorsPA.org PaLandChoices.org GrowingGreener.info 17

19 STAY IN TOUCH Nicole Faraguna, Director of Outreach & Education

Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council Annual Report 2011

Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council Annual Report 2011 I. Introduction and Background The Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council ( EAC ) provides leadership and guidance on environmental