The NYSAEMC
Environmental Management Councils (EMC's) are voluntary advisory boards appointed by their
county governments throughout New York.
Their mission is two-fold:
(1) to advise county governments and
(2) to provide a liaison between the community and county government.
EMCs were established under Article 47 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law
passed in 1970.
What do EMC's do?
EMC's strive to affect environmental improvement within the system. EMC projects often
take the form of studies that provide recommended courses of action for decision-makers. Topics include:
recycling, solid waste management, household hazardous waste, water quality, environmental review, hazardous waste
management and natural resource management. EMC programs vary around the state - reflecting the diversity
of the communities they serve. Concern for the environment is the common thread.
Who are the EMC's?
Council members may include business people and other professionals, farmers, skilled and
unskilled workers, students, teachers, senior citizens and the interested public, as well as representatives from
municipal Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC's). Ex-officio members can include county legislators and
agency personnel (e.g. Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Public Works). Most
EMCs have professional staff to provide technical and administrative assistance. An alphabetized listing
of county EMCs is provided at NYSAEMC Directory.
New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils (NYSAEMC)
What is NYSAEMC?
The New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils (NYSAEMC) is an organization
open to all county and regional Environmental Management Councils. The goals of the NYSAEMC are:
