The Environmental Advisory Council Network honored three local councils as part of the ninth annual conference in Southeast Pennsylvania March 11.

North Coventry Township’s EAC won for its work on Clean and Green Day and GIS advancements, West Vincent Township’s EAC won for its Greenway Stewardship Guide (both are in Chester County) and the Hatfield Township EAC in Montgomery County won honorable mention for its newsletter.

“To me, this award ceremony is the highlight of the year for EACs,” commented Joe Feola, Regional Director of the DEP. “It’s great to see EAC’s working with municipalities to impress upon them the importance of environmental issues.”

From PA Highlands conservation to invasive species management, topics and speakers at the EAC Conference inspired participants to meet their community’s environmental goals.

Conference highlights included “Financing Stormwater Management” with Dan Nees, Director of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland, and updates from DEP Watershed Manager David Burke and DCNR Recreation and Parks Advisor Fran Rubert.

Breakout sessions gave EAC members a chance to learn about issues specific to their region. Liz Feinberg of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Susan McDaniels of Cahill and Associates presented stormwater retrofit case studies. Daniel Barringer of Natural Lands Trust offered management strategies for dealing with invasive species. Highlands conservation efforts were presented by Patrick Starr of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Andy Pitz of Natural Lands Trust.

The conference concluded with a presentation on regional EAC Collaboration – featuring five Buck’s County municipalities’ efforts to address stormwater, deer management, forest depletion and housing and commercial development.

EACs are appointed volunteers at work protecting the environment. Established by ordinance, EACs advise elected and other municipal officials about environmental matters; help draft plans and ordinances; review site plans; help protect water and open space resources; remediate brownfields; and raise funds to support these and other environmental projects.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council established the EAC Network in 1990 to promote the establishment of EACs throughout PA, provide technical assistance and promote EACs as a mechanism for local government involvement in conservation.

For more information visit the Environmental Advisory Council Network website.

3/17/2006