Environmental Management Council
EMC Calendar of Events and Meetings
EMC 2008 Meeting Calendar
EMC Monthly Meeting Calendar
EMC General Meeting:
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Decker Community Room, Broome County Public Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton, NY
EMC - December 2008 Agenda
EMC - November 2008 Minutes
Natural Resources Committee Meeting:
To Be Announced
Recycling and Waste Management Committee Meeting:
To Be Announced
EMC Documents and Meeting Archives
Joyce Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition
EMC Riverbank Clean-Up Information
Broome County Book Recycling Fair
Citizens Shaping Environmental Policy
<< top next >>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!
<< top next >>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.
<< top next >>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.
<< top next >>Related Links
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
www.dec.ny.gov
New York State Association of Conservation Commissions
www.nysaccny.org
Broome County Division of Solid Waste Management
recycling and hazardous waste information
www.gobroomecounty.com/dpw/DPWRecycling.php
http://www.gobroomecounty.com/dpw/DPWRecyclingFAQ.php
http://www.gobroomecounty.com/dpw/DPWLandfill.php
Broome County Plan for Sustainable Econonic Development
www.thebcplan.com
Local Government Environmental Assistance Network
www.lgean.org
Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov
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
www.gobroomecounty.com/hd/HaSHealthDept.php
New York State Home Page
www.state.ny.us
New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils
www.nysaemc.org
Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study
www.btmsonline.com
- Riverbank Clean-Up
Since 1990, the EMC has sponsored 22 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 2006, 196 local volunteers collected over 2.6 tons of trash and debris at 20 locations throughout Broome County.& In 2007, 286 volunteers (from 26 groups) combed over 16 miles of waterway to collect 3.69 tons of trash and debris at 22 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, October 4, 2008 from 9am until noon, rain or shine. Groups and individuals interested in participating can contact the EMC office. The registration deadline is Friday, September 19.
- Joyce K. L. Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition
The EMC is sponsoring its twelfth 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 2008 competition deadline in Wednesday, March 5.& An opening reception will be held at the Broome County Public Library May 7, 2008.
- 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 EMC's, among others.
