The Environmental Commission is established in Chapter 151 of the City's Administrative Code.

151.01 ESTABLISHMENT; APPOINTMENT.
There is hereby established the Environmental and Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission shall be comprised of an appointed non-voting Councilmember and seven qualified electors, at least one from each ward in the City. Each member of the Commission shall be appointed by Council for a term of two years. Members shall be compensated in accordance with the terms of the Salary Ordinance. (Ord. 150-2005. Passed 12-20-05.)

151.03 DUTIES.
The Commission shall be an advisory body to the administration, City Council, and the various Board and Commissions.The Commission shall utilize regular reports and information from the City’s various departments including the Department of Parks and Recreation, Engineering Department, and Building Department.Copies of the Commission’s minutes, reports, and recommendations shall regularly be on file with the Clerk of Council and the Mayor and shall be forwarded to intended recipients in a timely manner as intended or upon request by the Commission. The Duties of the Commission are general, advisory and proactive towards issues concerning aspects of the environment and historic preservation.The Commission shall:

(a) Review and make recommendations to the administration, City Council, and various boards and commissions concerning matters of environmental and historic preservation interest.

(b) Advise and make recommendations to City Council, the administration, and boards and commissions concerning the inclusion and implementation of basic environmental and historic preservation standards into the codes, regulations and procedures of the City.

(c) Develop public education and outreach programs in response to Federal, State, County and City Regulations or requirements.

(d) Develop public education and outreach programs concerning any aspect of the local environment.

(e) Make site inspection visits as needed or necessary and as directed by the Administration or Director of Community Planning and Development.

(f) Consider and make recommendations to the appropriate bodies regarding all matters of environmental interest appropriately referred to the Commission.

(g) Review and comment on development and redevelopment plans as directed by the Administration and/or Planning Commission, and issue an option for consideration by the City Engineer, Planning Commission, Council and the Mayor.

(h) Review land use plans or projects and provide review comments to the Administrator, Planning Commission, Council and developer regarding the potential impact or implications of such plans on the natural state of the site and surrounding areas or on environmentally sensitive areas and places of historic significance.

(i) Develop and implement through the Administration and Council community programs for the collection of recyclable materials including household hazardous wastes.
(Ord. 36-2006. Passed 2-28-06; Ord. 105-2008. Passed 9-23-08.)

 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION  MEMBERS
 

Environment Related Links

Tinkers Creek Watershed
http://www.tinkerscreekwatershed.org/

Western Reserve Land Conservancy
http://www.wrlc.cc/

Earth Watch Ohio
http://www.ecowatchohio.org/index.htm

Stanley Stine - Nature Passage
http://www.mytwinsburg.com/site.cfm/CurrentNaturePassage.cfm

Environmental Education Council of Ohio
www.eeco.online.org

Ohio EPA
www.epa.state.oh.us

EnviroLink - The Online Environmental Community
www.envirolink.org

United States EPA
www.epa.gov

Historic Preservation Related Links

Twinsburg Historical Society
www.lwkweb.com/twinsburghistoricalsociety

Ohio Historic Preservation Office
www.ohiohistory.org/index.html

Preservation Ohio
www.preservationohio.org

The City of Twinsburg's Environmental Commission was formed in response to citizen's complaints and petitions. The practices of clear-cutting trees was causing erosion problems, muddying the waters and roadways, and resulting in significant loss of wildlife habitat.

PURPOSE
The Environmental Commission is empowered to:
    •  Investigate citizens environmental complaints.
    •  Provide recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council for large-tract land use projects.
    •  Develop public outreach programs. Recommend solutions for wildlife management concerns.
    •  Include environmental standards into the codes, regulations and procedures.
    •  Recommend solutions for all matters referred by the Council and the Mayor.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Environmental Commission has been instrumental in helping to control the erosion problems in Twinsburg by requiring developers to follow local and state regulations. A new position was created in the City to specifically deal with erosion control problems.

The Environmental Commission has invited developers to share their plans. As a result, a vital link is forming between the Planning Commission and the Environmental Commission. This has enabled the Planning Commission to become aware of and incorporate environmentally-friendly principles into proposed building projects submitted for review. The result of this sharing of information has helped to preserve a greater number of natural drainage channels, wetlands, ledges and waterfalls. 

FUTURE PROJECTS
    •  Create a community education plan for the Ohio EPA's Phase II Storm Water Regulations to be implemented by the City of Twinsburg.
    •  Seek environmental grants for all city parks, activities and environmental projects.
    •  Encourage residents and businesses to be environmentally responsible in the developing their properties.
    •  Educate citizens on the importance of the environment and it's role in our lives.
    •  Raise community awareness concerning the Gypsy moths and the West Nile Virus.
    •  Provide input on the Liberty Park.
    •  Organize a city wide cleanup day Storm Drain Stenciling.

TWINSBURG'S PLACE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Twinsburg is situated almost entirely in the Tinkers Creek watershed. All streams and waterways in the community flow into Tinkers Creek, which makes its way to the Cuyahoga River then to Lake Erie. By keeping the water of Tinkers Creek clean, the city is helping to insure clean drinking water.

The City of Twinsburg has shown environmentally responsible planning by purchasing 900 acres for Liberty Park and Nature Preserve and land near Tinkers Creek for the Center Valley Park.

Preserving and rebuilding the vegetation along the banks of the creek helps to keep the water clean by filtering out sediments and contaminants before they reach the water.

Humans have changed their environment, and they have done so
on a granderscale than any other species. - Anonymous