The Livingston County Environmental Management Council (EMC) is a County-appointed body that advises the Livingston County Board of Supervisors on matters affecting the quality of the environment. Approximately 30 counties in New York State have EMCs.

EMC members include county residents with a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and expertise, including agriculture, business and industry, education, public agencies, citizen groups, and town conservation advisory councils. The EMC receives staff support from the County Planning Department.

Click Here for Earth Day Award

EMC members volunteer their time and expertise to evaluate environmental problems and suggest rational solutions. The work program focuses upon immediate and future environmental concerns, including:

Solid Waste Management: Past and present activities include:

• Analysis of proposed sites for disposal of hazardous wastes
• Advice on local solid waste issues, including development of a transfer station and modular incinerator system; sewage sludge treatment; disposal of solid, liquid, and toxic wastes; A "bottle bill" legislation; source separation and recycling.

• Groundwater management
• Protection of natural waterways
• Impacts associated with highway deicing salts
• Urban runoff programs
• Public participation and information on county water quality management plans

Natural Resource Inventories (NRIs): The EMC has developed a natural resource inventory for Livingston County. The EMC will utilize these data to assist municipalities, developers, and the private sector in land development planning. County NRI information will include bedrock geology, soil resources, hydrology, unique natural and cultural features, geology, land use, transportation, community facilities and services, population, wetlands, and floodplains.

Community Relations and Public Information: The EMC plays an instrumental role in informing and educating the public about local environmental issues. Activities the EMC is involved in include:

• Preparing training programs and workshops designed to teach local officials and the public the fundamentals on such issues as the SEQR review process.
• Providing technical information to county, state and federal agencies as well as to conservation advisory councils, private citizens, developers and consultants.
• Distributing technical publications on environmental topics of local concern.
• Preparation of newsletters and pamphlets on local environmental issues and concerns.
• Annual Earth Day Environmental Award. (Click HERE for more Information)
• Sponsoring public meetings and forums.
• Keeping our county clean. Members of the EMC participate in clean-ups of roadsides and recreational areas.

On-going programs: The EMC participates in on-going programs as they arise. These activities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Reviewing environmental impact statements for development projects.
• Preparing comments on proposed or revised state environmental regulations.
• Coordinating the interests of local agencies, the community, industries and developers in reaching agreement on local policies and plans.

Annual Reports: Annual reports provide a summary of EMC activities and accomplishments during any given year. The Annual Report also provides a proposed program for the following year.

• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012

30-Year History Report: The “30-Year History: The Livingston County Environmental Management Council” report is a project that
synthesized 30 years of history and documented the important and diverse services provided by the Council.
Click HERE for 30-Year History Report.

Membership: Council members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors for two-year terms. Members are drawn from three broad categories: agriculture, industry/commerce, and general citizen.

Members - Industry-Commerce
John Hassett, ARKEMA, Piffard

Members - Agriculture
Robert Donnan, Piffard
David H. Swanson, Mt. Morris
Susan Walker, Wayland
Eric Grace, Geneseo
Amos Smith, York

Members - General Citizens
Barbara Davis, Geneseo
William McCleary, Livonia
David W. Parish, Geneseo
Wendy Stevenson, Springwater
Barry Ganzhorn, Sr., Caledonia
Raymond Case, Livonia

Meetings
The EMC meets on the fourth Wednesday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November.) The public is invited and encouraged to attend.