1. If in the opinion of the governing bodies of two or more counties, the protection and management of the environment of the area could be effectively or efficiently provided by a regional council these counties may enter into agreement to establish a regional environmental management council for the several counties agreeing to the consolidation.

2. The membership of the regional councils shall be made up of members of county environmental councils or individuals eligible to be members of county environmental councils. Members shall be appointed by the several county governing bodies to assure fair representation, but in no case shall there be more than twenty official members of the regional council other than ex officio members.

3. The regional council shall supercede and replace the individual county councils and shall exercise all those powers otherwise accruing to the county councils.

4. The county governing bodies of the several counties agreeing to the formation of such a council may appropriate such funds as they see fit for the work of the regional council including the compensation of members, the retention of staff and other assistance, the preparation and printing of reports, maps, books, charts, and pamphlets and the cost of other items related to their work.