The Commonwealth has 2,565 local governing bodies, who make decisions on a variety of issues from land use designation to watershed protection. These decisions have a direct impact on the communities' natural resources and their citizens.

Authorized through Act 177 of 1996, originally Act 148 of 1973, local elected officials may appoint 3-7 community residents to serve on an Environmental Advisory Council. EACs advise the local planning commission, park and recreation board and elected officials on the protection, conservation, management, promotion and use of natural resources within its territorial limits.

With the benefits of a statewide network of EACs in mind, the Council initiated the EAC Network in 1990 to encourage the establishment of EACs and the effectiveness of existing EACs.