EMC Committees are formed on an as-needed basis by vote of the Council to address particular topics or study issues. Committees meet independently to complete their work. Final results, recommendations, and actions of the committees are approved by the full EMC, with the exception of the Environmental Review Committee, which provides written comments on actions subject to time-sensitive State Environmental Quality Review. EMC Members must participate on at least one of the Council's committees or serve as a liaison to another organization.

2009 Committees

Executive Committee

The executive committee primarily performs administrative tasks. We monitor attendance and committee work, coordinate the selection of speakers for our meetings, select the slate for membership appointments, and provide support for legislation (example: bottle bill).

Consumer Product Committee

The Consumer Products Committee is an Ad Hoc committee looking into concerns about “cradle to grave” impacts of products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, electronic equipment, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The committee is also reviewing local policies for environmentally friendly product procurement and the elimination of hazardous chemical use.

Communications Committee

The communications committee is charged with providing education and information about current EMC projects and local environmental issues and concerns. The committee will update the EMC website, highlight EMC success stories, and serve as a resource for our community.

Energy Committee

The Energy Committee's primary mission is to support implementation of the 2008 Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element of the County's Comprehensive Plan. The Element sets the ambitious countywide goal of 80 percent reduction of GHG emissions from 2008 levels by 2050.

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee is researching and reporting on ways to improve the Tompkins County transportation infrastructure with a focus on both the community and the environmental impacts.

Unique Natural Areas (UNA) Committee

This committee‘s charge is to update the UNA Inventory by 2010. The Unique Natural Areas Inventory includes an extensive database, GIS coverage, and report on nearly 200 sites determined to contain significant ecological, biological, geological, or aesthetic characteristics.

Environmental Review Committee

The mission of the Environmental Review Committee is to study and respond to development proposals that might affect the environment in Tompkins County. We generally respond to proposals and Environmental Impact Statements that come from developers, or municipalities, and by state law are open for public comment. Our recommendations are submitted to the Tompkins County Planning Department, the Tompkins County Legislature, the State of New York, and other interested parties.

Gas Drilling Committee

The Gas Drilling Committee is a subcommittee of the Environmental Review Committee focusing on New York State Department of Environmental Conservation gas and drilling regulations. In 2008, the committee reviewed and commented on the scoping document for the draft supplement to the generic environmental impact statement (dSGEIS) and will continue to review documents as they are made available. The Gas Drilling Committee also advises the county on local decisions related to gas drilling. The committee is currently meeting with representatives from Tompkins County and the municipalities to identify their needs.

Invasive Species Committee

Cooperate with forest owners for invasive species control, develop and distribute a list of popular landscaping plants and appropriate native species substitutions, prepare illustrated guide of invasive species with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), inventory and identify high priority areas for control of invasive species, establish a coordinated approach with CCE for distributing info to landowners unidentified high priority areas, develop a Community Action Plan for invasive pests, develop County policy for use of non-invasive species (with Tompkins County Planning Department).

Liaison Positions

Cornell University Lake Source Cooling

Water Resources Council (voting seat)

Ag & Farmland Protection Board

Cornell Community Waste Management Advisory Committee

Adopt-A-Highway Clean-up Coordinator

Cayuga Sustainability Council

Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management

City of Ithaca Project Advisory Committee for Dredging