Environmental & Open Space Commission

Authority

The Lebanon Township Environmental & Open Space Commission (EOS) has the power to study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna located within its territorial limits, as governed by New Jersey Statute 40:56A-1 to 56A-7.

Responsibilities

The commission's goal is to maintain and preserve the environmental quality of Lebanon Township. This goal is met through a variety of actions, including working closely with the Planning Board through the review of subdivision and ordinances, informing the Planning, Zoning and Boards of Adjustment about environmental impacts of proposals for development, advocating planned open space preservation at the municipal level, investigating environmental problems and proposing solutions, informing residents on environmental matters and ways to help protect the environment, interacting with neighboring commissions to tackle regional and state issues, and maintaining a data base on the environmental resources of the municipality, which is known as the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). The EOS also is responsible for the creation and maintenance of an open space database and supporting the Open Space Coordinator.

Membership

The commission consists of not less than five nor more than seven members, appointed by the mayor, of whom one shall also be a member of the municipal planning board. All members must be residents of the municipality. The mayor may also appoint two alternates. Full members serve 3 year terms. Alternates are appointed for terms of 1 year.

Meetings

Have an environmental issue?

The EOSC meets the 1st Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Lebanon Township Municipal Building, 530 West Hill Road, Lebanon Township, NJ.

Our meetings offer a public session for Township residents to voice their concerns. Please come to a meeting and let us know what is on your mind or contact us by email at [email protected].

Commission Members

Sharon Petzinger, Chair

Marty Collett

Constance Grill

Linda Ryan

Sharon Hardy

Celia Vuocolo, Alternate I

Nancy Lawler

Warren Newman

Nina Weiland, Alternate II

Lebanon Township Green Team

Visit the Lebanon Township Community Green Team Facebook Page to learn about the exciting work our Green Team volunteers are doing.

Events & Information

Spotted Lanternfly

The NJ Department of Agriculture has designated Hunterdon County as a quarantine county for the Spotted Lanternfly. Please take a moment to review the following information to understand the impact of this invasive pest and what to do if you see it in our area.

New Jersey Department of Agriculture announces instructions for residents about Spotted Lanternfly (8/12/20)

What the New Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Means for You

See it, Report it!

Pest Alert - Spotted Lanternfly

Subchapter 20: Quarantines

Checklist for residents living in Spotted Lanternfly quarantine areas - English

Checklist for residents living in Spotted Lanternfly quarantine areas - Spanish

244 Acre Park Preserved in Lebanon Township

NJ Conservation Foundation Press Release regarding the Pelio property preservation. (photo)

The Gypsy Moth

The Gypsy Moth, commonly recognized in the larva stage as the caterpillar covered with spiky hair and rows of blue and red warts, is one of the most notorious pests of hardwood trees in the Eastern United States. Since 1980, the gypsy moth has defoliated close to a million forested acres each year.

Gypsy moth larvae prefer hardwoods, but may feed on several hundred different species of trees and shrubs. In the East, it prefers oaks, apple, sweetgum, speckled alder, basswood, gray and white birch, poplar, and willow, but may also target cottonwood, hemlock, southern white cedar, and native pines and spruces.

Homeowners can consider one or more tactics to help reduce gypsy moth infestation on their property:

Remove objects around the outside of the home that provide shelter for gypsy moth larvae and pupae, such as flaps of bark, dead tree branches, dead trees, boxes, cans, or old tires.
Destroy egg masses found on outbuildings, on fencing, and in woodpiles. Egg masses can also be destroyed by painting them with commercially available products, such as liquid detergents.
Place burlap wraps around trees to serve as a shade trap for older larvae when they seek out protected resting places during the day. The larvae can be manually collected and destroyed.
Use barrier bands, such as double-sided sticky tapes, or sticky material such as Tanglefoot, petroleum jelly, or grease, to prevent larvae from crawling up the trunks of susceptible trees.

For further information on the Gypsy Moth and what homeowners can do to safely suppress the spread of this pest can be found at NJ Dept of Agriculture Gypsy Moth Suppression - Homeowner Fact Sheets.