Environmental Resources and Sustainabilty Green Committee
Every day is EARTH DAY
ABOUT US
The Environmental Resources and Sustainabilty Green Committee (ERC) consists of ten members appointed by the Lawrence township council. Each member serves a term of four years, except for those first appointed, who are appointed for a term of two years. Terms end on the last day of the calendar year or until a successor is appointed.
Our Mission
- Advise and consult with the council and the manager with respect to the environmental needs of the township.
- Review and make recommendations with respect to township acquisition and administration of open space and other conservation areas and projects.
- Study and develop proposals for the conservation and preservation of natural features, including landscaping of the township and make recommendations with respect thereto to the council and manager.
- Review and make recommendations to the zoning board of adjustment and the planning boards on all site plans and subdivisions submitted to the board.
As recorded in Sec. 2-92 of the Lawrence Township Code,
Ord. No. 1034-86, Ord. No. 1253-90
Members & Liaisons
Current Members:
- Teresita Bastides-Heron, (Through 12/31/13)
- Barry Chalofsky (Through 12/31/15)
- James Ciccone (Through 12/31/15)
- Phil Duran (Through 12/31/13)
- Michael Lavanga (Through 12/31/13)
- Pamela Mount, Chairperson (Through 12/31/15)
- Tahira Smith (Through 12/31/15)
- Karen Vincent-Lavanga (Through 12/31/13)
- Elizabeth Woodworth (Through 12/31/13)
Current Liaisons:
- Andrew Link, Township Staff Liaison
- Councilman, Stephen Brame, Township Council Liaison
Check Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Generally, the Committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 P.M. in the Community Development Conference Room in the Municipal Building.
Projects & Activities
Site Plan Review
At monthly meetings, ERC members continue to review site plans presented to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board. Comments written by the chairman of the ERC are sent to the appropriate board to be used at their discretion.
Mapping of stormwater outfalls for township
In January 2004, New Jersey adopted new "Phase II" Municipal Stormwater Management rules designed to reduce discharge of polluted runoff into our streams. The rules require counties and municipalities to map all storm water outfalls that discharge to surface water. ERC members assisted the township in the collection of outfall data by walking all of the streams in Lawrenceville.
Environmental Resource Inventory
With a $5,250 Smart Growth Planning Grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) Lawrence Township has created an Environmental Resources Inventory (ERI) that is available as a large PDF file.
The Township Council contracted with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to complete the ERI project in conjunction with the Township’s ERC. The ERI is a comprehensive assemblage of maps and text that identifies and describes the environmental features and natural characteristics of Lawrence including geography, topography, surface and groundwater, vegetation, landscape, wildlife, historical sites and land use. The maps use geographic information system (GIS) technology to precisely detail the location and extent of the Township’s resources and the accompanying narrative gives a descriptive account of each item.
The ERI in digital format can be viewed and updated by Township officials over time to improve and expand the information content. It will serve as the foundation of a Conservation Element; a component of the Township’s Master Plan, which is constantly being updated.
Green Buildings and Environmental Sustainability Element
Utilizing a grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, Lawrence Township developed a Green Buildings and Environmental Sustainability Element to the Master Plan. The ERC was instrumental in getting and executing the grant. The Element was adopted by the Planning Board on May 3, 2010. It is intended to guide land use decisions and provide the basis for ordinances addressing sustainability and land use issues.
Related Links
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission