Purpose of the EMC
The Dutchess County Environmental Management Council is the county’s official citizen advisory board on matters that affect the local natural environment. The EMC was created by the Dutchess County Legislature in 1972 to advise and educate county and local governments and the public on local environmental issues.
What We Do
The EMC works on topics related to the needs of the community, such as environmental education, natural resource management, and land use planning. The EMC’s Mission is to advise and educate county and local governments and the public on local environmental issues.
Who We are: Current EMC Members (2010)
The EMC membership includes 11 at-large members appointed by the Dutchess County Legislature, Ex-Officio members, and a member from each Conservation Advisory Council or Board in the county.
EMC volunteers work closely with the professional staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County’s (CCEDC) Environment Program to accomplish their work. CCEDC is an Ex-Officio member of the EMC. CCEDC Environment Program staff work with Conservation Advisory Councils (CACs) and the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council to provide them with educational and technical resources and organizational support. CCEDC provides numerous resources for the EMC and CAC on its website, including documentation, updates, links, and copies of powerpoint presentations and trainings.
Enabling Legislation
View the Dutchess County EMC’s Enabling Legislation (Resolution No. 58 of 1972), and 1989 ammendment to the enabling law. Statutory Authority for the EMC comes from NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 47.
NYS Association of EMC’s (NYSAEMC)
The New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils (NYSAEMC) is an organization open to all county and regional Environmental Management Councils, and works to advocate sound environmental management in New York State; assist and enhance the work of county EMCs; and coordinate information and present opportunities for EMCs to learn from one another.
