EAC Handbook

Pennsylvania’s municipal environmental advisory councils are officially created, appointed arms of municipal government that focus exclusively on environmental conservation and improvement. The tasks undertaken by an EAC are determined by the particular circumstances of the municipality it serves (within the limits set by state law).

An EAC may research issues, develop policy proposals, and advise local government officials, including the governing board and planning commission, to help inform decision-making regarding the environment; it does this strictly in an advisory rather than decision-making role. An EAC may also undertake an array of on-the-ground conservation projects, planning of new conservation initiatives, and environmental education efforts.

EACs provide municipal governments a pool of local talent and volunteer energy to draw upon whether that is for scientifically-sound, in-depth analysis about environmental resource issues or for designing or implementing environmental conservation projects.

The formation of an EAC is an option available to municipalities; state law does not require it. It is up to the individuals interested in seeing one established, whether they be municipal officials or residents, to propose establishment to members of the municipality’s governing body. If a municipality’s governing body chooses to create an EAC, it must do so by passing an ordinance. The governing bodies of neighboring municipalities may choose to form regional, multi-municipal EACs.

Act 148 of 1973 authorizes Pennsylvania’s townships, boroughs, cities, and town to establish EACs by ordinance.. Act 177 of 1996 amended this act. Act 148, as amended, is simply referred to as Act 148 in this handbook.

Act 148 requires each EAC to keep records of meetings and activities and issue an annual report, which should be distributed with the municipality’s annual report or made available to the public in other ways.

Act 148 states that “An environmental advisory council shall have the power to:

1. Identify environmental problems and recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within its territorial limits.
2. Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of the municipal corporations within its territorial limits.
3. Promote a community environmental program.
4. Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of those areas.
5. Advise the appropriate local government agencies, including the planning commission and recreation and park board or, if none, the elected governing body or bodies within its territorial limits, in the acquisition of both real and personal property by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease, in matters dealing with the purposes of this subchapter.”

Individual municipalities may join with neighbors to form regional, multi-municipal EACs. Multi-municipal EACs provide a mechanism for neighboring municipalities to cooperate on issues that transcend municipal borders. For example, protection of aquifer recharge areas and streams, stormwater management, air quality, open space and greenways, and myriad other environmental matters bear no geographic relationship to local government juridictions. The perspective offered by a multi-municipal EAC can help establish a cohesive, long-term vision for natural resource protection in the region. For a sample multi-municipal EAC ordinance and by-laws, see appendix 4 and 5.

Since Act 148 does not mandate the establishment of an EAC, it is up to a municipality’s residents and stakeholders to suggest the formation of an EAC to their elected officials.

To find out if there is an EAC in your municipality, call your municipal offices or local officials. If there is no EAC and you are interested in seeing one created, you can:

• Read this handbook and check out the other resources at WeConservePA.org.
• Join the EAC Network forum at WeConservePA.org.
• Get to know your local elected officials.
• Attend several municipal meetings to understand how the meetings work and to gauge views on local issues.
• Attend training for EACs or elected officials. (Find EAC events at WeConservePA.org.)
• Educate the governing body on the role of EACs. Some local officials may be concerned that the establishment of an EAC will create a new layer of bureaucracy when, in fact, EACs are only charged with advising and informing elected officials regarding environmental issues.
• Underscore the resource an EAC can be for local officials. For example, an EAC can develop in-depth information on natural resources and environmental issues for the comprehensive planning process and report on the environmental impacts of specific land use proposals.

To establish an EAC, the municipality’s governing body must enact an ordinance. Many examples of  ordinances used to create EACs are posted in the WeConservePA.org library. One or more of these can be customized to meet the particular circumstances of a municipality.

Act 148 stipulates that an EAC may be composed of three to seven members, who serve without compensation and are appointed to staggered three-year terms. EACs with three members can function effectively; however, a full complement of seven members enables access to a wider range of expertise and the ability to undertake more projects. Members are appointed by the governing body.

Act 148 states that “whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the municipal planning board.” This cross-representation can be an important factor in the effectiveness of an EAC.

In the case of multi-municipal EACs, each participating municipality appoints an equal number of members to serve on the council.

The governing body selects the chair of a council, except in the case of a multi-municipal EAC, where the council itself selects the chair. Act 148 does not mention the election of other officers, but the general practice is to provide for the election of other officers, such as vice chair or recording secretary, at the first meeting of the year.

Act 148 enables local governments to appropriate funds for the operation of EACs to cover “administrative, clerical, printing and legal services.” The amount of the appropriation is to be determined by the local governing body and should be at least enough to cover basic expenses that enable a council and its members to function effectively. Examples of EAC expenses include printing, travel, conference registration fees, and dues for affiliation with organizations (e.g., conservation, educational, or planning) that help them in accomplishing their work.

Act 148 provides that: “[t]he whole or any part of any funds so appropriated in any year may be placed in a conservation fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year or may be expended in any year.”

The establishment of an EAC can be incorporated into another environmentally based initiative of a municipality, with the powers and duties of the EAC then related to the goals of that initiative. For example, Lower Makefield Township (Bucks County) passed a resolution that established an open space protection program and created an EAC to help support the program.

Act 148 does not specifically address the issue of an EAC raising funds outside of a local government appropriation for its activities; however, fundraising is not an unusual activity for an EAC. Because they are a part of local government, EACs may receive state and federal grant funding from various government sources by applying through their local governments. Other ways to fund EAC projects include requesting donations from community members, holding fundraisers, and partnering with other groups to access funds not typically available to governmental units (e.g., foundations).

Once your municipality has passed an ordinance enabling the creation of a municipal EAC and appointed members, your EAC will have to establish an organizational structure in which to operate.

Your council should develop a set of bylaws as one of its first actions in order to provide detail on the council’s organization and operation. Bylaws can include information on membership, attendance, meetings, order of business, and other details. Many examples of  bylaws used by organized EACs are posted in the WeConservePA.org library. One or more of these can be customized to meet the particular circumstances of the EAC.

Organization of standing and special committees may enable EACs to be more effective, by allowing a smaller group to focus on a particular issue. Standing committees relating to specific municipal functions, such as land use, parks and public open space, water resources and areas of ongoing interest, such as public education, may also be useful.

Act 148 allows up to seven members on an EAC. To include more people, consider the establishment of an associate members program. Associate members do not vote but may participate in all other council activities and serve on standing and special committees. It may be desirable to have an associate member serve as recording secretary for the council to ensure that all appointed voting members will be able to fully participate in meetings. Associate members can be an important source of expertise and, if their service as associates has been satisfactory, strong candidates for appointment to the EAC when vacancies occur. Associate members, like voting members, can be drawn from the community, watershed associations, schools, and other environmental organizations.

EAC meetings are typically scheduled on a regular basis, usually monthly, in a public place, on a day that does not conflict with other municipal meetings. Notice of meetings must be made in comformance with Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act.

Even if you choose to run your meetings in an informal manner, as many EACs do, consider using Robert’s Rules of Order to guide the overall organization of meetings and voting procedures. In many cases, informal discussion and decision by consensus will suffice—but you may want to be prepared to handle contentious or complex issues with a standard format. Many simplified versions of Robert’s

Rules may be found by searching on the web for “Roberts Rules of Order Simplified.”

The conduct of the meeting chair has a huge bearing on the effectiveness of meetings and the energy level of EAC members. It can be intensely frustrating and demoralizing for EAC members to have to endure poorly managed meetings. Conversely, well run meetings can boost member enthusiasm and productivity. If the appointed chair does not have substantial prior experience chairing meetings, they are well advised to study for the position. Numerous online video tutorials and guides can help. Even seasoned chairs can benefit from the wealth of online instruction.

An agenda is an important tool for running an effective meeting. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

• A municipality may have an established system for posting or distributing advisory committee agendas. Coordinate with municipal staff to understand deadlines and procedures for issuing agendas.
• Use a printed agenda, preferably agreed to at the conclusion of the last meeting and added to by members in the interim between meetings.
• Send the meeting agenda to members in advance of the meeting date, both as a reminder of the meeting and to enable them to prepare for discussion of agenda items.
• Make agenda length reasonable. Except when there are extenuating circumstances, long late-night meetings are not productive.
• If individual meeting agendas are frequently lengthy due to pressing business, the council may want to choose between long meetings, or shorter, more frequent meetings. In any case, it is the chair’s responsibility to keep the meetings focused on agenda items and to conduct business in a timely manner.
• Agendas should always allow time for public comment, new business, and general comments from members.

For those new to municipal government, it is essential to understand that keeping accurate records and providing meeting minutes in a timely way is extremely important. Even the most effective, energetic EAC will have problems within their municipality if they fail at this basic municipal responsibility.

The EAC is also required to produce an annual report, which is to be included in the muncipality’s annual report (if one is produced).

Minutes are important for the effective operation of a council. Keep the following points in mind:

• Designate a secretary. Some EACs use the municipal secretary, and others designate or elect an EAC member.
• No matter who is designated recording secretary, he/she should attend every council meeting to take minutes.
• Minutes generally include the date, time and location of the meeting, members present, subjects considered, decisions made, actions taken, and tasks assigned.
• Minutes are most useful when they are sent to members, with the agenda of the upcoming meeting, within a reasonable time following the meeting.
• To facilitate communication, consider sending your minutes to designated contacts on the governing body, planning commission, recreation and park board, and other appropriate government agencies.
• Minutes posted on the EAC website or municipal website, a public bulletin board, in the municipal building or public library can promote communication with the public.
• The secretary of the EAC should maintain a file of EAC minutes, and one copy of the minutes should be kept by the municipal secretary as a permanent record.

A healthy EAC is one in which differing views and priorities can be presented and received in a respectful atmosphere. The chair has a responsibility to keep the group focused and help it resolve differences of opinion in a consistent and effective manner so that the group does not get bogged down. For this reason, some formality is important. At some point, discussion must end and, if called for, a decision made with an official vote.

In a well-functioning EAC, the EAC members respect the finality of a vote and stand behind the council once a decision is made, no matter their individual preferences on a subject.

It is important for the EAC—most likely through the chair—to regularly communicate with the municipal secretary or manager to keep informed on municipal news that might be relevant to the EAC’s work. It is likewise important for an EAC to open and maintain lines of communication with commissions or boards and staff members with whom the EAC will interact. To facilitate its advisory role, the EAC chair usually takes the lead in maintaining regular contact with the governing body. Ideally, an EAC will have a member on the planning commission who will serve as a liaison. Some municipalities have also included in the EAC membership an elected official and members from other boards and commissions, such as the planning commission, recreation and parks, open space, shade tree commission, and historic and cultural groups. It can also be effective to hold EAC meetings prior to the planning commission meeting and send a liaison to report on the work of the EAC. Copies of EAC minutes should be sent to other committees and reciprocity should be requested. The EAC is more likely to be productive if it is integrated into the local government team and maintains regular contact.

Once up and running, members of newly-formed EACs will want to attend other municipal meetings and introduce themselves to both elected officials and other appointed committee members. This is also a good time to solicit thoughts as to what other municipal groups see as the most pressing environmental priorities facing the municipality. EACs benefit greatly from having good working relationships with other municipal groups such as planning commissions, zoning hearing boards and parks and recreation committees; these relationships provide the basis for solid collaboration and partnership, and open the door to creating an effective, dynamic and productive EAC.

In Pennsylvania, planning commissions assist in defining how the community will grow, review subdivision and land development plans, and assume primary responsibility for developing the ordinances necessary to guide future growth. A planning commission acts as an advisor to the governing body on matters of community growth and development.

The EAC promotes long-term natural resource conservation in every aspect of its activities. The EAC has time to look at the big picture with regard to environmental impacts, gather data to help the planning commission make decisions, help develop an open space and greenway plan for the municipality, and carry out other environment-related tasks. The EAC can provide the planning commission with information about the environmental consequences of both land use plan decisions and ordinance wording. The EAC does not recommend approval or rejection of plans, but simply makes comments available to the governing body or planning commission.

When reviewing subdivision or land development plans, the EAC should confine its comments to those portions of the ordinance that specifically relate to natural resources. A range of items fall into this category, including sewage treatment, well placement, stormwater management, wetland encroachment, landscape buffers, hillside development, among others. The EAC should create a checklist of ordinance sections that specifically relate to EAC interests and provide the governing body or the planning commission with a written report once EAC consensus is reached. Comments should be specific and cite the section of the ordinance that is not met. General comments may also occasionally be offered, for example, “not consistent with the Township Comprehensive Plan.” The EAC can also contribute by delving deeper for background information relating to the environmental impact of plan particulars and providing the governing body or planning commission with information it would not otherwise receive.

The EAC is a component of local elected government, and is therefore charged with being responsible and responsive to the community it serves. It is therefore important that EACs have effective communication with their citizens, in both directions: educating and informing the public of issues of environmental and ecological importance, while also ensuring that the EAC members understand the concerns and opinions of residents on natural resource issues. Some ideas for EAC communication with the community include:

• Carry out a survey asking residents what they believe to be the most important environmental issues facing their community. Remember that the way questions are asked on a survey can greatly influence results; the EAC may wish to consider seeking professional input on the design of survey questions.
• Speak one-on-one to municipal governing body members to understand their environmental concerns and considerations.
• Connect with the local watershed association(s) to find out what projects and issues they consider to be important for the EAC to know about.
• Make sure that EAC members are listed on the municipal website and, if possible, have EAC meeting minutes posted on the website as well.
• Consider developing a separate webpage for the EAC linked to the municipal website.
• Write press releases for major EAC events and initiatives. Make sure to notify local press about your events and provide articles for them to use afterwards.

Unlike many states, all of Pennsylvania is incorporated into local municipalities: 2,561 cities, boroughs, townships, and home-rule municipalities in all. The state is also divided into 67 counties. By constitutional and common law, the Commonwealth has authority over the state’s land and water resources, but the General Assembly has delegated the power to regulate land to local government. The specific powers held by a municipality depends upon its particular classification under state law. Other government bodies in the Commonwealth include school districts as well as special purpose authorities, such as water, sewer, and stormwater authorities.

The Citizen’s Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government, published by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, provides a comprehensive overview of local government structure in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) (Act 247 of 1968, P.L. 805, as reenacted and amended, 53 P.S. § 10101, et seq.) gives local government units exclusive authority—and considerable leeway—to plan and regulate land use. The MPC does not require local governments to plan or zone, but does require each county to adopt a comprehensive plan.

The MPC does not assign a state agency to administer any of the land use powers in the event a unit of local government fails to exercise a delegated power. In other words, either the local government performs the function, or no-one does.

The more than 100 pages of the MPC provide a uniform framework for planning and establishing land use laws for all of Pennsylvania’s municipalities and counties with the exception of the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

No ancillary regulations accompany the MPC, but there is also a large body of case law regarding the MPC to consider when engaging in land use regulation.

Comprehensive Plan

The municipal comprehensive plan, if done well, can lay a solid foundation for a municipality’s future. Each comprehensive plan (single municipality or multi-municipality) is required to include certain specific elements, among these are: Community Development Goals and Objectives, Land Use Plan, Housing Needs Plan, Transportation Plan, Community Facilities Plan, a plan for the protection of natural and historic resources, a statement of the interrelationships among the various plan components, and short-and long-range plan implementation strategies. EACs can be particularly helpful in providing information for plan development related to the protection of natural resources.

For information on the status of a municipality’s comprehensive planning, check with the municipal zoning officer, a municipal planner or the county planning commission.

While a plan lays the groundwork for developing zoning and other land use ordinances, it does not regulate land use. Plans depend on local land use ordinances to implement the concepts and recommendations set forth in them.

For more information, see the handbook The Comprehensive Plan in Pennsylvania provided by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services and the library topic Land Use Planning and Community Visioning.

Zoning Ordinance

Municipalities can implement their comprehensive plans through the development and enactment of a zoning ordinance. Zoning ordinances manage growth and conservation by designating appropriate land uses throughout the municipality and setting standards relating to density, building area, height and location, and dedicated open space. The zoning ordinance works together with the subdivision and land development ordinance to establish zoning districts, which designate the development design and layout and further specifying the types of structures and uses that can be developed. These ordinances also establish other performance criteria for the preservation of natural and historic features.

For more information, see Zoning: Planning Series #4 provided by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.

Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance

A subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) applies any time a land owner proposes to subdivide a tract of land for any use or development involving a group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings or a single nonresidential building. Such provisions regulate the submission and approval of plats, design and construction standards for streets, curbs, sidewalks or walking paths, street lights, fire protection, adequate provision of on-lot and/or public water and sewer facilities, lot layout and design, standards and conditions for dedication or fees in lieu of dedication of lands for recreational purposes, and requirements for public dedication of streets.

For more information, see Subdivision and Land Development in Pennsylvania: Planning Series #8 provided by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services and the WeConservePA guide Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation: A Guide to Using Section 503(11) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

Official Map

A municipality may more effectively provide for future trails, parks, networks of open space, road improvements, or other public uses by identifying the location of key public grounds and infrastructure in advance of the public’s need and reserving the necessary land on an official map. By reserving the land, the municipality expresses its intent to acquire that specific land at some future date. This expression of intent does not affect existing property ownership; landowners still own and control their land. However, the owners are constrained in building on, subdividing or otherwise developing the reserved land until (1) they receive a special encroachment permit or (2) they provide written notice of intent to develop and then allow the municipality up to a year to acquire the land from them.

For more information, see The Official Map: A Handbook for Preserving and Providing Public Lands and Facilities, a joint publication of WeConservePA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WeConservePA provides guidance on protecting specific natural resources in a community through land use regulation and development design. WeConservePA also provides information on overarching strategies for developing land wisely and conserving forest, farmland, and other land important to communities. These strategies are described briefly below.

Conservation by Design

By making several small but significant changes to three municipal documents—the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO)—Conservation by Design ensures that conservation becomes institutionalized in the development process. Conservation by Design rearranges the development on each parcel as it is being planned so that half or more of the buildable land is set aside as open space. Without controversial downzoning, the same number of homes can be built in a less land-consumptive manner, allowing the balance of the property to be permanently protected and added to an interconnected network of community green spaces. This density-neutral approach provides fair and equitable treatment to landowners and developers. Conservation by Design can apply to a range of residential development options, from single-family homes to mixed-use communities.

Transfer of Development Rights

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a zoning technique used to permanently protect land with conservation value (such as farmland, community open space, or other natural or cultural resources) by redirecting development that would otherwise occur on this land (the sending area) to an area planned to accommodate growth and development (the receiving area).

TDR programs financially compensate landowners for choosing not to develop some or all of their land.  These landowners are given an option under municipal zoning to legally sever the development rights from their land and sell these rights to another landowner or a real estate developer for use at a different location. The land from which the development rights have been severed is permanently protected through a conservation easement or a restrictive covenant. The development value of the land where the transferred development rights are applied is enhanced by allowing for new or special uses; greater density or intensity; or other regulatory flexibility that zoning without the TDR option would not have permitted.

Traditional Neighborhood Development

Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) is a development strategy designed to create complete neighborhoods and communities that mimic those built in pre-1950s America before the shift to low-density, automobile-dependent suburban developments. Several features characterize TNDs: concentrated density, mixed housing types, interconnected street grids, a discernable center (like a town square or plaza), and a variety of commercial establishments to meet the needs of residents. With sidewalks, traffic calming measures, hidden parking, and access to public transportation, TNDs reduce dependence on cars and create safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists. TNDs also emphasize access to schools, parks, churches, civic buildings, and other community spaces.

Clean Energy Committee

In 2018, the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution supporting a 100% renewable energy future by 2050. To achieve this goal, the Clean Energy subcommittee of the Tredyffin Township EAC works on different initiatives, including the creation of a clean energy plan and receiving bronze status through SolSmart, a national designation program designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy.

Ready for 100

Ready for 100 is a movement of the Sierra Club to transition cities and towns throughout the US to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050.  Cheltenham Township EAC discussed Ready for 100 with the Township’s Public Works Committee to consider and recommend to the Board of Commissioners to adopt a resolution that would commit Cheltenham Township to developing an energy transition plan to help the Township transition to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% clean, renewable energy across all sectors, including transportation, by 2050. With the resolution was passing in 2019, Cheltenham Township EAC has been working with other municipalities in Montgomery County who have passed similar resolutions to develop a transition plan including interim milestones, strategies, financial impacts, equity metrics, and potential financing mechanisms, with the goal of reducing the cost of developing and implementing a plan to achieve the renewable energy goals.

Junk Fair

Since 2010 Bethel Township EAC has provided prize money to the winners of the Bethel Elementary School’s Annual Junk Fair. Sixth grade students construct projects from materials which might otherwise be discarded. There is one winner, chosen by the student body, in each of three categories – Beauty, Practical and Functional. Bethel Township EAC awards $50 to the winner of each category.

Single-Use Plastics

In 2016, the Environment and Recreation Committee of Doylestown Borough Council and the Doylestown Borough EAC began discussing and researching the impacts of single-use, non-recyclable plastics including straws, bags, and food containers. During the two years that followed, the EAC met with business owners, hosted a presentation on sustainable restaurant practices, researched life-cycle analyses, encouraged participation in “No-Straw November,” and considered viability of alternatives to single-use plastics. The Borough Council’s Environment and Recreation Committee tasked the EAC with assembling their findings into a recommendation, and the EAC recommended that the Borough Council gather public feedback and consider adopting an ordinance to ban the distribution of certain single-use plastics. Along with the recommended ordinance, the EAC proposed measures to educate the public and to support the business community.

Go Green Awards

To foster sustainability practices among members of the community, Abington Township EAC established the Go Green Rewards Card program. Credits are awarded through established sustainability actions and participation in EAC events, such as attending EAC meetings, participating in an EAC rain barrel workshop, volunteering on EAC projects, and more. Participants who earn ten credits receive discount coupons to local businesses.

Green Radnor & The Sustainability Series

Radnor Township EAC sees one of its major roles as “educator’ to provide the citizens of Radnor Township with useful information that will help to maintain and improve the environment. In pursuing the charge of promoting community environmental education and awareness, the EAC created “Green Radnor”, which provides an online single point of entry for citizens interested in environmental and sustainability information. Additionally, Radnor Township EAC created The Sustainability Series, a broadcasted series that covered issues in Sustainable Living and Growth in Radnor Township.

Bird Habitat Recognition Program

In collaboration with the Audubon Society of Pennsylvania, Longswamp Township EAC established a Bird Habitat Recognition Program throughout Longswamp Township. The Bird Habitat Recognition Program allows any property owner – residential, school, business, or public park – to register the property with Audubon and join a community of property owners interested in sustainable landscaping that provides birds with important habitat elements. Applicants only need to have the presence of at least 25% native trees and shrubs on the property and a source of water accessible for birds.

Drainage Basin Naturalization

In 2008, the Lower Makefield Township EAC started an innovative initiative to naturalize some of the open space areas and drainage basins in the Township. This program entailed a much-reduced mowing regimen that resulted in the creation of many self-regulating eco-systems through Lower Makefield Township. Additional environmental benefits included cleaner air through a significant reduction in fossil fuels produced through mowing. At the height of the program, over 100 of the approximately 150 basins and open space areas were in the program. Through less fuel usage, lower equipment maintenance costs, and labor reduction, Lower Makefield Township was saving over $50,000 per year.

Heart of Uwchlan

The Heart of Uwchlan is a project undertaken by Uwchlan Township EAC to introduce native plants, increase biodiversity, support pollinators, and educate members of the community about sustainability. Working in alignment with the Township’s #SustainableUwchlan, the Heart of Uwchlan project came out of Uwchlan EAC member’s Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Training and has been supported by several kinds of environmental expertise beyond the Environmental Advisory Council, including the Township’s Board of Supervisors and the head of Public Works, members of Penn State’s Master Watershed Training program, several Master Gardeners, and other volunteers.

The Heart of Uwchlan has so far contributed to the planting of a milkweed garden near the Township’s meeting hall to establish a Monarch Butterfly Waystation, established learning stations to educate township families about nature and sustainable practices, and started a stream-side garden of native plants to restore a local stream bank and manage floodwater. The EAC is currently working to forward the Township’s “Ready for 100% Clean Energy” resolution, and to assist the public with fighting invasive insects like spotted lantern fly, and to promote sound environmental practices of all kinds.

Invasive Plant Workshop

Each year Doylestown Township EAC hosts a spring and fall Invasive Identification & Removal Workshop. These hands-on workshops take place at the Township’s Central Park and aim to educate participants about invasive plants and how to eradicate them, while also contributing to the beautification of the Township’s park system.

Monarch Butterfly Project

Thornbury Township EAC began a project to address the growing concern about the drastic decline of the Monarch butterfly population to near extinction levels.  Milkweed plants are essential for the ability of Monarchs to thrive and reproduce, but these have been greatly reduced in number by increased development as well as by herbicides. Thornbury Township EAC has spearheaded efforts to create Monarch waystations by preserving known stands of milkweed plants on township property by signposting these areas and not mowing them during the growing season. In addition, new milkweed seedlings were planted in select locations such as in the field adjacent to the Thornbury township Farmer’s Market to further encourage monarch habitats. Numerous residents participated by informing members of Thornbury EAC of existing milkweed plants and when Monarchs were sighted.

Native Plant Demonstration Garden

Located in Doylestown Township’s Central Park, the Native Plant Demonstration Garden was founded in 2014 and began as an idea to develop and use the Township’s existing Environmental Education Center. After years of hard work and dedication spearheaded by the Doylestown Township EAC, the Garden has won various awards and is recognized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as a Garden of Distinction. The Native Plant Demonstration Garden has an established ‘brigade” of volunteers who participate in workdays to perform weeding, planting, clean up, and another other duties that are addressed on site. Native Plant Demonstration Garden in Central Park won the 2019 Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Land Ethics Award. The Land Ethics Award honors and recognizes the creative use of native plants in the landscape, sustainable and regenerative design, and ethical land management and construction practices.

Restoration of Habitat Along the Sacony Trail

Many trees that make up the riparian forest along the banks of the Sacony Creek and Trail died due to attack by the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect native to north-eastern Asia. With so many dead trees posing a hazard to residents walking the trail, Kutztown Borough had many of the trees in this section removed in 2020.  Unfortunately, there was much collateral damage to adjacent trees and the shrub layer of the riparian forest when the trees were removed.  The Kutztown Borough EAC coordinated the restoration of the riparian forest along the Sacony Trail and, in the fall of 2020, many volunteers, including EAC members, Kutztown University (KU) students and professors, and residents, planted 125 native trees along the impacted section of the trail.

Tree Planting at Paterson Farm

In 2020, the Lower Makefield Township EAC, in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors, Parks & Recreation, and Public Works, and 100 community volunteers, planted 246 shrubs and trees at Patterson Farm. The planting stretched over approximately 400 feet of a headwater to Buck Creek, which exerts a strong influence on the integrity of downstream waters. The plantings along the banks of the Buck Creek headwater are anticipated to stabilize the banks minimize erosion, filter and retain stormwater runoff, and expand and promote interconnectedness with nearby habitats and open space. This project is a riparian zone enhancement and restoration site that interacts and contributes to regional efforts and the quality of the overall watershed.

Chesapeake Bay Drainage Awareness

To raise awareness that stream runoff within the Township flows into the Chesapeake Bay, Bethel Township EAC undertook the task of identifying drainage infrastructure within the Township and painted the concrete storm drain boxes and bridge walls blue. These were then stenciled with the words “DRAINS TO CHESAPEAKE BAY” so that township residents could see that their community and water sources are connected to the Chesapeake Bay.

Clean Stream, Clean Water Campaign

In 2012, Ambler Township EAC kicked off a multi-year Rain Garden Campaign with the installation of three residential rain gardens. Volunteers, homeowners and EAC members designed, built, and planted rain gardens on several properties in Ambler Borough. Once the native plants became established, the rain gardens added beauty and function to properties. Since this campaign’s inception, stormwater management and stewardship has become an increasing priority in Ambler Borough.

Ambler EAC also secured a “Growing Greener” Grant through the Department of Environmental Protection to help residents actively participate in implementing stormwater features to decrease the quantity of water flowing into storm drains and increase the quality of water entering the Borough’s creeks.

Clean Water Keepers

Kidder Township EAC partnered with Trout Unlimited to provide training to Citizen Scientists to learn how to monitor local streams for water quality.

Known as the Kidder Township Clean Water Keepers, volunteers monitor selected streams monthly to keep track of sediment deposits, stream width, pH, TDS (total dissolved solids- too much of these can clog gills and raise the temperature of the water), turbidity (cloudiness of the water), temperature and conductivity (measures the water’s ability to pass an electrical current; more particles in the water lead to higher conductivity). Collected data is with TU’s National Database and Kidder Township’s EAC will keep spreadsheets to monitor any changes in the streams in the coming years.

Water Quality Education Day

With the help of a Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds grant administered by the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM), Bethel Township EAC conducted a Water Quality Education Day for middle school students. The seminar consisted of collecting and identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates and conducting chemical tests from the water of a local stream for nitrates, pH and alkalinity.

Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Bethel Township is largely rural, and agriculture is the township’s biggest business. Since early after Bethel Township EAC’s formation, the EAC has served as a liaison between the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) and local farmers to help farmers comply with BMPs and E & S (erosion and sedimentation) control.

Graduation Award

Each year the Churchill Area Environmental Council, along with its member municipalities (Chalfant, Churchill, Forest Hills, and Wilkins), sponsors a graduation award for a high school senior living in the Woodland Hills School District (WHSD). Applicants for this monetary award must complete a project that makes an active, tangible contribution to environmental conservation, education, legislation, or research – particularly within the school district or the communities it serves.

This subchapter applies to all municipal corporations.

The governing body of any municipal corporation or group of two or more municipal corporations may by ordinance establish an environmental advisory council to advise other local governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, the planning commission, park and recreation boards and elected officials, on matters dealing with protection, conservation, management, promotion and use of natural resources, including air, land and water resources, located within its or their territorial limits.

( a) Composition.—An environmental advisory council shall be composed of no less than three nor more than seven residents of the municipal corporation establishing the council, who shall be appointed and all vacancies filled by the governing body. Where two or more municipal corporations jointly establish an environmental advisory council, the members shall be appointed in the same manner by each of the respective municipal corporations establishing the council, each constituent municipal corporation to have equal membership on the joint council.

(b) Term of office.—Council members shall serve for three years except that initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately one-third of the membership shall expire each year, the terms of their successors to be of three years each.

(c) Compensation and expenses.—Members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

(d) Chairman.—The appointing authority shall designate the chairman of the council except that in joint councils the chairman shall be elected by the duly selected members. Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the municipal planning board.

( a) General rule.—An environmental advisory council shall have the power to:
(1) Identify environmental problems and recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within its territorial limits
(2) Make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of the municipal corporations within its territorial limits.
(3) Promote a community environmental program.
(4) Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of those areas.
(5) Advise the appropriate local government agencies, including the planning commission and recreation and park board or, if none, the elected governing body or bodies within its territorial limits, in the acquisition of both real and personal property by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease, in matters dealing with the purposes of this subchapter.
( b) Limitation.—An environmental advisory council shall not exercise any powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon a Commonwealth agency.

An environmental advisory council shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report which shall be printed in the annual report of the municipal corporation or, if none, otherwise made known and available.

The governing body of any municipal corporation establishing an environmental advisory council may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the council. Appropriations may be expended for those administrative, clerical, printing and legal services as may be required and as shall be within the limit of funds appropriated to the council. The whole or any part of any funds so appropriated in any year may be placed in a conservation fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year or may be expended in any year.

This subchapter shall not be construed to require a municipal corporation to abolish an existing commission with a related responsibility or to prevent its establishment.

The State Conservation Commission shall establish a program of assistance to environmental advisory councils that may include educational services, exchange of information, assignment of technical personnel for natural resources planning assistance and the coordination of State and local conservation activities. (May 5, 1998, P.L. 301, No 50, eff 60 days.

The Department of Community and Economic Development shall establish a program of assistance to environmental advisory councils in planning for the management, use and development of open space and recreation areas. (May 5, 1998, P.L. 301, No. 50, eff. 60 days).