Friday, March 1, 2019

Workshop to Show How EAC's Can Help Your Town














Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Ross Snook.

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards will be hosting a special public presentation about township and borough Environmental Advisory Councils (EACs) on Tuesday, March 5, from 6 to 7 pm at the Lower Frederick Township Building. 

The building is located at 53 Spring Mount Road outside Schwenksville.

“EACs in Action: What can an EAC do for your community?” will feature two Master Watershed Stewards (MWS) who are members of their local EACs as they share their experiences and how their councils are creating a positive impact in Montgomery County communities.

Although first authorized by PA state law in 1973, Environmental Advisory Councils – also commonly known as Environmental Advisory Boards (EAB) - have been increasing in popularity among local governments.

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association describes EACs as a small group of people typically appointed by a municipality to advise its elected officials and some municipal departments on the conservation and best use of the community’s natural resources. As part of the local government, these councils most often focus on local issues, meaning that each government’s EAC can take on unique roles and projects.

Two such examples will be highlighted at “EACs in Action.”

MWS Ross Snook serves on New Hanover Township’s EAB and will share his experiences working with the board to improve local stormwater ordinances, while MWS Mary-Margaret Monser of the Ambler EAC will discuss the council’s recent grant award to help residents add stormwater best management practices (such as rain barrels) to their homes.

The session also includes plenty of time for audience members to ask questions.

For more information about the MWS program, including details on Montgomery County’s upcoming Basic Training, visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards/counties/montgomery.

According to Snook, some topics to be discussed include:

A) Create an inventory of all possible environmental impacts to your townships
B) Aid in the completion of the MS4 program
C) Create a storm water basin inventory
D) List of known facts about sump pumps
E) Create a sump pump ordinance
F) Create a standardized review of plan sets
G) Create a standardized review of storm water plans
H) Create an infiltration ordinance
I) Create a review of the local Geology and Hydrology

1 comment:

  1. I hope Pottstown gets their act together. I was on the EAC about 10 years ago, and quit out of frustration.

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