Environmental Management Council

The Rockland County Environmental Management Council (EMC) was established by the Rockland County Legislature in 1973. Members are volunteers representing Rockland County's five towns. They are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Legislature. EMC works in a non-partisan, non-adversarial manner to effect environmental improvement within the system.

The EMC sponsors the Eleanor Burlingham 5th Grade Earth Day Essay Contest annually which encourages youths to go outside and observe interactions between plants and animals. Students submit essays to the EMC for review. Five winners are selected each year and a ceremony takes place at the Allison-Parris County Office Building in early June.

Additional programs include: The Edward Brophy Green Champion Award which is given to an organization, business or group who have showed an exemplary focus on the environment; as well as the Annual Canoe Outing through the Piermont Marsh.

Member Information:

Executive Director - 
Clarkstown - Joanna Galdone, Glenn Sungela- Vice Chair, Darwin Keung- Corresponding Secretary {At-Large Member}
Haverstraw - Vacant
Orangetown - William Herguth, Catherine Mazzocchi
Ramapo - Natalie Patasaw - Chair, Gillian Ballard, Chana Friedenberg- Recording Secretary {At-Large Member}, Ryan Goolic {At-Large Member}
Stony Point - Vacant

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Soil & Water Conservation District

SWCD was established in 1965 and is responsible for developing Soil and Water Conservation District programs to protect and conserve soil, water, prime and unique farmland, wildlife, energy and other renewable resources to meet the needs of the local land user on non-federal lands. The Board of Directors represent the County's five towns. They are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Legislature.

The Rockland County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources Department is committed to encouraging municipalities and residents to conserve water and to protect our existing water resources.

Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of the month (sometimes 4th Thursday...call our office).
Meetings start at 9:30am at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center, 50 Sanatorium Rd, Bldg K, Pomona, NY. All meetings are open to the public.

Member Information:

Executive Director - Allan Beers
District Manager - Brianna Rosamilia
Conservation District Technician - 
Clarkstown Hwy Dept. - Bob Milone
Haverstraw Hwy Dept. - George Wargo Jr.
Orangetown Hwy Dept. - James Dean, Chair
Stony Point Hwy Dept. - Larry Brissing
Ramapo Hwy Dept.- Fred Brinn
Others - Delegated by Local Law

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Water Quality Committee

The Mission of the Rockland County Water Quality Committee is to protect, conserve and restore Rockland County's water resources. Established in 1992, membership in the RCWQC is open to any organization, municipality, government agency, or individual interested in the mission and goals of the committee.

The WQC co-sponsors an annual Spring Cleanup along creeks located throughout the County. For 2015, the committee partnered with Keep Rockland Beautiful and Riverkeeper Sweep to clean up Black Beach in Haverstraw. 35 volunteers removed 660 lbs. of trash with the help of Seatow!

We meet periodically (about 5 times a year), usually on the second Tuesday of that month. All meetings are open to the public. See "Meeting Dates" document below.

Members Information:

Chair (Rockland Country Club) Matt Ceplo
Vice Chair (Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance) Jim Elling 
Secretary (Public) Tolly Beck
Treasurer (United Water New Jersey) Ray Cywinski
Staff Director (Rockland County SWCD and DER) Brianna Rosamilia

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Parks Commission

Since 1965, the Rockland County Park System has grown to a network of 30 parks comprising 3,170 acres. The goal has been to achieve the national standard of one acre per 100 of population, and to provide county residents ready access to local parks without having to drive long distances to enjoy nature's beauty. Park acquisitions have been attained through gifts, tax delinquency, and County funds matched with Federal and State grants.

The Park Commission is indebted to the Rockland County Executive, Rockland County Legislators, County Planning Department Staff, Department of Law, Rockland County Sheriff Department, Rockland Audubon Society, Environmental Management Council, Department of General Services and Rockland County Highway Department for guidance and assistance with the many complexities faced in managing our parks. Meetings are scheduled when needed about 4 times per year (quarterly).

Members Information:

Joanna Galdone
Diane Gruskin
Claudia Perry
Geoffrey Welch

Former Chairmen:

Samuel G. Fisher
Luther A. Nelson
Norman P. Szymanski
Thomas Vanderbeek

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Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board

Advise the County Executive and Legislature on proposed establishment, modification or termination of any agricultural district and agricultural initiatives. The board reviews sub-division proposals that may affect agricultural land and approves and revises the Farmland Protection Plan. It may request that the NYS Commissioner of Agriculture & Markets intervene in disputes between agriculture producer's and government agencies.

The board provides public education related to the benefits of preserving and promoting the environmental, cultural and economic aspects of agriculture.

Members Information:

Hon. Harriet Cornell - Rockland County Legislature
James J. Dean - Soil & Water Conservation District
Machado Mead - Pfeiffer Center
John McDowell - Camp Hill Farm -   Chairman
Joy D. Macy- Farmer
Chuck Stead- Land Preservationist
William V. Summers- Farmer
Sean Matthews- Real Property Tax Officer
Douglas Schuetz- County Planning Dept.
John Wickes- Agribusiness
Ann Marie Palefsky- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County
Allan Beers- County Division of Environmental Resources (staff)