Environmental Advisory Councils

Any municipality in Pennsylvania may establish an environmental advisory council to tap the skills and volunteer energy of its citizens. Consisting of three to seven members appointed by the local government, an EAC can undertake a variety of conservation projects. It can also research issues and advise local government officials to help inform decision-making regarding the environment.

Act 177 of 1996 amended Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, adding revised, codified and compiled provisions relating to local government; and making repeals. Part III "Government and Administration", Subpart D "Area Government and Intergovernmental Cooperation", Chapter 23 "General Provisions", Subchapter B "Environmental Advisory Councils" enables the creation of environmental advisory councils and sets forth the rules governing them. EACs were originally enabled by Act 148 of 1973. Act 177 amended this statute.

This handbook contains information on what environmental advisory councils (EACs) are, how they are formed and run, and how they interact with their governing boards and their communities. It is the latest edition of the guidance first published in 1996.

Contains environmental advisory council (EAC) news, articles, guidance, lists of EACs by municipality and county, and profiles of many of Pennsylvania’s EACs.