EMC Meetings & Events Calendars

EMC 2009 Meeting Calendar
EMC Monthly Meeting Calendar

Joyce K.L. Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition   
On exhibit through Monday, June 29
2nd floor exhibit room, Broome County Library, 185 Court Street, Binghamton. 

Upcoming Meetings

EMC General Meeting:
Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm
United Way Board Room, corner of Jensen Road & Vestal Parkway, Vestal, NY
EMC - July 2009 Agenda
EMC - June 2009 Minutes
EMC - May 2009 Minutes
EMC - April 2009 Minutes

Natural Resources Committee Meeting:
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 4:00pm
Public lounge, Broome County Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton, NY
NRC - July 2009 Agenda
NRC - June 2009 Minutes
NRC - May 2009 Minutes
NRC - April 2009 Minutes
NRC - March 2009 Minutes
NRC - February 2009 Minutes

Recycling and Waste Management Committee Meeting:
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Meeting Room 'A', Broome County Health Dept, 225 Front St., Binghamton, NY
RWMC - July 2009 Agenda
RWMC - June 2009 Minutes
 

Documents, Meeting Archives and Public Programs

EMC Documents and Meeting Archives

Joyce K.L. Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition   
On exhibit through Monday, June 29, 2009
2nd floor exhibit room, Broome County Library, 185 Court Street, Binghamton.

EMC Riverbank Clean-Up Information
Captains & Crews need for Saturday, September 19, 2009, 9am-noon. 
Pre-register by Friday, September 4.

Broome County Book Recycling Fair
The 2009 Book Recycling Fair is CANCELLED.  For more information on alternative outlets for unwanted books please refer to the following information sheet.

Citizens Shaping Environmental Policy

Who We Are

The Environmental Management Council (EMC) was established in 1971 by the Broome County Legislature to preserve, protect, and enhance the local environment. We are one of twenty-four EMCs in New York State.

The members of the EMC are Broome County residents with a concern for the environment. While some of our members have formal training in the environmental field, many of us are self-taught. EMC volunteers are from a variety of occupational and professional backgrounds, including business, education, engineering, science, and homemaking.

You don't have to be an expert on the environment to participate... the only requirement is interest!

What We Do

The EMC is Broome County government's citizen advisory board on local environmental matters. The EMC is the focal point for public participation in local government decisions that effect the County's environment.

Since 1971, the volunteer members of the EMC have conducted meetings and public information sessions, and prepared and presented reports, plans and advisory resolutions. Topics of concern to the EMC include natural resource management, water resource protection, land use planning, sustainable development, and solid & hazardous waste management.

We also are involved in hands-on volunteer opportunities such as the annual Riverbank Clean-up, annual Earth Day celebrations, and special recycling events.

Where to Find Us

The EMC office is located in the Edwin L. Crawford County Office Building, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13902-1766. We can be reached at 607.778.2116.

How You Can Participate

All EMC Meetings are open to the public and we welcome new participants.  Perhaps the best way to get involved is to pick an area of interest and attend a committee meeting on that topic.  The EMC currently has two major areas of emphasis, which correspond to these active committees:

Natural Resources Committee

Promotes an understanding and sense of stewardship on the part of County residents with regard to the natural resources that surround us.  Reviews proposals for development, promotes appropriate and consistent land use practices, supports and helps establish municipal Conservation Advisory Commissions (CAC's).
 
Recycling & Waste Management Committee

Advises County government on policy and programs related to solid waste management, including recycling, waste prevention, household hazardous waste disposal, composting and landfilling. The Nanticoke Landfill CAC, a sub-group, reviews and monitors activities at the County Landfill at Nanticoke and makes recommendations on mitigating impacts on the surrounding area.

Committee Meetings

EMC Committees generally meet monthly at 4 or 4:30 pm at a central location in downtown Binghamton.

EMC General Meetings

Meetings of the full EMC are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (except August) at the United Way Conference Room, Jensen Rd, Vestal, NY.  Please note that meeting locations and times are subject to change.  Call the EMC for more information.

Membership

Membership on the council is open to all Broome County residents.  Please choose an area on interest from the list below and e-mail your response to smerola@co.broome.ny.us.  Please include your name, mailing address, phone number and best time to contact you.

• Natural Resources
• Recycling & Waste Management
• Other

EMC Resources are Available to You

The volunteer members of the EMC are assisted in their work by two paid staff members, a Director/Sr. Environmental Planner, and an Environmental Analyst.

We have an extensive library of maps, journals, books, and brochures which serve as a resource to the community. We also have a long-standing student internship program.

Related Links

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
www.dec.ny.gov

New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils
www.nysaemc.org

New York State Association of Conservation Commissions
www.nysaccny.org

Broome County Division of Solid Waste Management
recycling and hazardous waste information
Recycling
Recycling FAQ
Landfill

Broome County Plan for Sustainable Econonic Development
www.thebcplan.com

Local Government Environmental Assistance Network
www.lgean.org

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov

New York State Home Page
www.state.ny.us

Earth Day Southern Tier Earth Fest
http://www.myedst.org/

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County
www.cce.cornell.edu/broome

Broome County Soil & Water Conservation District
http://broomeswcd.org/

Upper Susquehanna Coalition
www.u-s-c.org

Broome County Health Department
Health Department

Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study
www.btmsonline.com

Accomplishments

Riverbank Clean-Up

Since 1990, the EMC has sponsored 23 organized clean-ups of the Susquehanna, Chenango, and Tioughnioga Rivers and their tributaries.  More than 300 volunteers from over 30 organized groups try to participate each year.  In 2007, 286 local volunteers collected over 3.69 tons of trash and debris at 22 locations throughout Broome County.  During the weekend of October 4th, 2008, 314 volunteers (from 26 groups) combed over 15 miles of waterway to collect 3 tons of trash and debris at 23 different locations.  Our events are part of the American Littoral Society's and the Ocean Conservancy's annual International River and Coastal Clean-Up efforts.

The EMC's next event is planned for Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9am until noon, rain or shine.  Groups and individuals interested in participating can contact the EMC office.  The registration deadline is Friday, September 4 - pre-registration is required.

Joyce K. L. Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition

The EMC is sponsoring its thirteenth show and competition as a celebration of its work to protect and enhance Broome County's environment.  The show and competition is named in memory of Joyce K. L. Smith, a former member of the EMC and local leader and community activist for the environment.  The purpose of the show is to portray all aspects of Broome County's cultural and natural surroundings.

The contest is open to amateurs only.  To enter, contact the EMC office or visit the Photo Competition pages of this website. The 2009 competition submission deadline in Wednesday, March 11.  An opening reception will be held at the Broome County Public Library June 3, 2009.

Agency Coordination

EMC staff and volunteers network with other local and regional agencies, such as Earth Day Southern Tier, Broome County Water Quality Coordinating Committee, The Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition, Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study, the Broome County Division of Solid Waste Management, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, Upper Susquehanna Coalition, and the New York State Association of EMCs, among others.