Environmental Advisory Council Network

EAC earth day.jpg
The EAC Network helps local officials make sound environmental decisions within and across municipal boundaries. The Network promotes and supports Environmental Advisory Councils, who are appointed volunteers at work protecting the environment through project implementation, site plan and ordinance review, community education and much, much more.
Background: 

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.

Project Goals: 
  • Promote the establishment and support of EACs across the Commonwealth;
  • Strengthen EACs' role in local environmental decision-making by providing them with information and assistance;
    Facilitate the sharing of information and points of view between existing EACs;
  • Encourage multi-municipal EAC projects;
  • Encourage the state to actively provide EACs with assistance and funding; and
  • Communicate the goals, opinions and accomplishments of EACs to state officials
Major milestones/successes to date: 

  • More than 100 EACs in existence across the state, many of which are found in Southeastern PA and along the Kittatinny Ridge, where communities struggle to balance community growth and natural resource protection.
  • The EAC Network has garnered support from state agencies in support of EACs. For example, agencies like DCNR and DEP have supported technical assistance for EACs, generation of educational materials, and environmental resource inventories.
  • Recently updated the EAC Handbook, a comprehensive guide for establishing and operating an EAC.

Current/upcoming plans: 

  • Each year, the EAC Network hosts a regional conference for EAC members. These conferences provide innovative ideas and facilitate idea-sharing from EACs across the region. Additionally, 2-4 EACs are awarded EAC Achievement Awards for their exemplary success. See links to 2008 EAC Conference presentations below.
  • The EAC Network provides ongoing support for EACs in their work. Many EACs currently focus on sustainability issues such as local food production, renewable energy, green buildings and transportation.

 

For more information, please visit: 
www.eacnetwork.org
AttachmentSize
EAC HB low res.pdf6.24 MB
Brian Hill 2008 EAC Conference Climate Change - Allegheny 1.08 version.ppt1.56 MB
Clean Energy for Media Project.ppt601 KB
Ecological Restoration and NIMBY - EAC Conference 3.8.08.ppt10.89 MB
ER impacted by climate change-PEC-GSA-3-8-07-Jim Thorne.ppt7.97 MB
Mortgage Keystone Help.ppt2.41 MB
PennTAP Self Assessment Presentation 3-8-08.ppt3.74 MB
The Cost of Building Green - EAC Conference 3.8.08.ppt4.5 MB

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Program Contact Information

Khiet Luong

215-592-7020  x107