An Act concerning the Highlands Region, and amending and repealing various parts of the statutory law.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 24 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-31) is amended to read as follows:

24. a. Any landowner applying to the board to sell a development easement pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C‑24) shall offer to sell the development easement at a price which, in the opinion of the landowner, represents a fair value of the development potential of the land for nonagricultural purposes, as determined in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1983, c.32.

b. Any offer shall be reviewed and evaluated by the board and the committee in order to determine the suitability of the land for development easement purchase. Decisions regarding suitability shall be based on the following criteria:

(1) Priority consideration shall be given, in any one county, to offers with higher numerical values obtained by applying the following formula:

nonagricultural ‑ agricultural ‑ landowner's

developmental value value asking price

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

nonagricultural ‑ agricultural

development value value

(2) The degree to which the purchase would encourage the survivability of the municipally approved program in productive agriculture; and

(3) The degree of imminence of change of the land from productive agriculture to nonagricultural use.

The board and the committee shall reject any offer for the sale of development easements which is unsuitable according to the above criteria and which has not been approved by the board and the municipality.

c. Two independent appraisals paid for by the board shall be conducted for each parcel of land so offered and deemed suitable. The appraisals shall be conducted by independent, professional appraisers selected by the board and the committee from among members of recognized organizations of real estate appraisers. The appraisals shall determine the current overall value of the parcel for nonagricultural purposes, as well as the current market value of the parcel for agricultural purposes. The difference between the two values shall represent an appraisal of the value of the development easement. If Burlington County or a municipality therein has established a development transfer bank pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1989, c.86 (C.40:55D‑113 et seq.) or if any county or any municipality in any county has established a development transfer bank pursuant to section 22 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D‑158) [or the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council has established a development transfer bank pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-13)], the municipal average of the value of the development potential of property in a sending zone established by the bank may be the value used by the board in determining the value of the development easement. If a development easement is purchased using moneys appropriated from the fund, the State shall provide no more than 80%, except 100% under emergency conditions specified by the committee pursuant to rules or regulations, of the cost of the appraisals conducted pursuant to this section.

d. Upon receiving the results of the appraisals, or in Burlington county or a municipality therein or elsewhere where a municipal average has been established under subsection c. of this section, upon receiving an application from the landowners, the board and the committee shall compare the appraised value, or the municipal average, as the case may be, and the landowner's offer and, pursuant to the suitability criteria established in subsection b. of this section:

(1) Approve the application to sell the development easement and rank the application in accordance with the criteria established in subsection b. of this section; or

(2) Disapprove the application, stating the reasons therefor.

e. Upon approval by the committee and the board, the secretary is authorized to provide the board, within the limits of funds appropriated therefor, an amount equal to no more than 80%, except 100% under emergency conditions specified by the committee pursuant to rules or regulations, of the purchase price of the development easement, as determined pursuant to the provisions of this section. The board shall provide its required share and accept the landowner's offer to sell the development easement. The acceptance shall cite the specific terms, contingencies and conditions of the purchase.

f. The landowner shall accept or reject the offer within 30 days of receipt thereof. Any offer not accepted within that time shall be deemed rejected.

g. Any landowner whose application to sell a development easement has been rejected for any reason other than insufficient funds may not reapply to sell a development easement on the same land within two years of the original application.

h. No development easement shall be purchased at a price greater than the appraised value determined pursuant to subsection c. of this section or the municipal average, as the case may be.

i. The appraisals conducted pursuant to this section or the fair market value of land restricted to agricultural use shall not be used to increase the assessment and taxation of agricultural land pursuant to the "Farmland Assessment Act of 1964," P.L.1964, c.48 (C.54:4‑23.1 et seq.).

j. (1) In determining the suitability of land for development easement purchase, the board and the committee may also include as additional factors for consideration the presence of a historic building or structure on the land and the willingness of the landowner to preserve that building or structure, but only if the committee first adopts, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), rules and regulations implementing this subsection. The committee may, by rule or regulation adopted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," assign any such weight it deems appropriate to be given to these factors.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection may also be applied in determining the suitability of land for fee simple purchase for farmland preservation purposes as authorized by P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C‑1 et seq.), P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C‑11 et seq.), and P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C‑1 et seq.).

(3) (a) For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection: "historic building or structure" means the same as that term is defined pursuant to subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.2001, c.405 (C.13:8C‑40.2).

(b) For the purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection, "historic building or structure" means the same as that term is defined pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.2001, c.405 (C.13:8C‑40.1).

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.44)

2. Section 29 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C‑36) is amended to read as follows:

29. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit the creation of a municipally approved program or other farmland preservation program, the purchase of development easements, or the extension of any other benefit herein provided on land, and to owners thereof, in the Pinelands area, as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1979, c. 111 (C. 13:18A‑3) [, or in the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3)].

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.45)

3. Section 4 of P.L.1993, c.339 (C.4:1C-52) is amended to read as follows:

4. The board shall have the following powers:

a. To purchase, or to provide matching funds for the purchase of 80% of, the value of development potential and to otherwise facilitate development transfers, from the owner of record of the property from which the development potential is to be transferred or from any person, or entity, public or private, holding the interest in development potential that is subject to development transfer; provided that, in the case of providing matching funds for the purchase of 80% of the value of development potential, the remaining 20% of that value is contributed by the affected municipality or county, or both, after public notice thereof in the New Jersey Register and in one newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the purchase. The remaining 20% of the value of the development potential to be contributed by the affected municipality or county, or both, to match funds provided by the board, may be obtained by purchase from, or donation by, the owner of record of the property from which the development potential is to be transferred or from any person, or entity, public or private, holding the interest in development potential that is subject to development transfer. The value of development potential may be determined by either appraisal, municipal averaging based upon appraisal data, or by a formula supported by appraisal data. The board may also engage in development transfer by sale, exchange, or other method of conveyance, provided that in doing so, the board shall not substantially impair the private sale, exchange or other method of conveyance of development potential. The board may not, nor shall anything in this act be construed as permitting the board to, engage in development transfer from one municipality to another, which transfer is not in accordance with the ordinances of both municipalities;

b. To adopt and, from time to time, amend or repeal suitable bylaws for the management of its affairs;

c. To adopt and use an official seal and alter that seal at its pleasure;

d. To apply for, receive, and accept, from any federal, State, or other public or private source, grants or loans for, or in aid of, the board's authorized purposes;

e. To enter into any agreement or contract, execute any legal document, and perform any act or thing necessary, convenient, or desirable for the purposes of the board or to carry out any power expressly given in this act;

f. To adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act;

g. To call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission, or agency as may be required and made available for these purposes;

h. To retain such staff as may be necessary in the career service and to appoint an executive director thereof. The executive director shall serve as a member of the senior executive or unclassified service and may be appointed without regard to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes;

i. To review and analyze innovative techniques that may be employed to maximize the total acreage reserved through the use of perpetual easements;

j. To provide, through the State TDR Bank, a financial guarantee with respect to any loan to be extended to any person that is secured using development potential as collateral for the loan. Financial guarantees provided under this act shall be in accordance with procedures, terms and conditions, and requirements, including rights and obligations of the parties in the event of default on any loan secured in whole or in part using development potential as collateral, to be established by rule or regulation adopted by the board pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act";

k. To enter into agreement with the State Agriculture Development Committee for the purpose of acquiring development potential through the acquisition of development easements on farmland so that the board may utilize the existing processes, procedures, and capabilities of the State Agriculture Development Committee as necessary and appropriate to accomplish the goals and objectives of the board as provided for pursuant to this act;

l. To enter into agreements with other State agencies or entities providing services and programs authorized by law so that the board may utilize the existing processes, procedures, and capabilities of those other agencies or entities as necessary and appropriate to accomplish the goals and objectives of the board as provided for pursuant to this act;

m. To provide planning assistance grants to municipalities for up to 50% of the cost of preparing, for development potential transfer purposes, a utility service plan element or a development transfer plan element of a master plan pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D‑28), a real estate market analysis required pursuant to section 12 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D‑148), and a capital improvement program pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D‑29) and incurred by a municipality, or $40,000, whichever is less, which grants shall be made utilizing moneys deposited into the bank pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1993, c.339 , as amended by section 31 of P.L.2004, c.2;

n. To provide funding in the form of grants or loans for the purchase of development potential to development transfer banks established by a municipality or county pursuant to P.L.1989, c.86 (C.40:55D‑113 et seq.) or section 22 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D‑158);

o. To serve as a development transfer bank designated by the governing body of a municipality or county pursuant to section 22 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C. 40:55D‑158);

p. [To provide funding to (1) any development transfer bank that may be established by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-13), for the purchase of development potential by the Highlands development transfer bank, and (2) the council to provide planning assistance grants to municipalities in the Highlands Region that are participating in a transfer of development rights program implemented by the council pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-13) in such amounts as the council deems appropriate to the municipalities notwithstanding any provision of subsection m. of this section or of section 8 of P.L.1993, c.339, as amended by section 31 of P.L.2004, c.2, to the contrary] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) ; and

q. [To serve as a development transfer bank for the Highlands Region if requested to do so by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-13).] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.46)

4. Section 11 of P.L.1983, c.560 (C.13:1B‑15.143) is amended to read as follows:

11. Subject to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes, and within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available, the commissioner may appoint any officer or employee to the department necessary to carry out the provisions of P.L.1983, c.560 (C.13:1B-15.133 et seq.), fix and determine their qualifications, which may include a knowledge of and familiarity with the pinelands area [or the Highlands Region] and the residents thereof.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.47)

5. Section 1 of P.L.1997, c.64 (C.13:1B-15.159) is amended to read as follows:

1. The Department of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State, in consultation with the Pinelands Commission as it affects the pinelands area designated pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-11), [and in consultation with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council as it affects the Highlands Region designated pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-7),] shall establish a natural resources inventory, using the Geographic Information System, for the purpose of encouraging ecologically based tourism and recreation in New Jersey. This inventory shall contain information on New Jersey's natural, historic, and recreational resources, and shall include, to the greatest extent possible, but need not be limited to, federal, State, county and local parks, wildlife management areas, hatcheries, natural areas, historic sites, State forests, recreational areas, ecological and biological study sites, reservoirs, marinas, boat launches, campgrounds, waterfront access points, winter sports recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges.

(cf: P.L.2007, c.253, s.9)

6. Section 1 of P.L.1995, c.306 (C.13:1D‑58) is amended to read as follows:

1. a. The provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C.13:1D‑51 et seq.) shall not apply in the case of conveyances by the State or the department involving an exchange of lands within the pinelands area, as defined in section 10 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑11), or within the Hackensack Meadowlands District, as defined in section 4 of P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17‑4) [, or within the Highlands Region as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3)], to the federal government or any agency or entity thereof, another State agency or entity, or a local unit, provided the lands to be conveyed are used for recreation or conservation purposes, shall continue to be used for recreation or conservation purposes and it has been determined pursuant to subsection c. of this section that the proposed recreation and conservation purposes for the lands do not significantly alter the ecological and environmental value of the lands being exchanged.

b. Prior to any conveyance of lands that is exempted from the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C.13:1D‑51 et seq.) pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall conduct at least one public hearing on the proposed conveyance in the municipality in which the lands proposed to be conveyed are located. The local unit proposing the recreation or conservation use of the lands being exchanged shall present its proposal for the use of the lands being exchanged at the public hearing, including a description of the proposed recreation or conservation use of the lands and any proposed alterations to the lands for the recreation or conservation purposes.

c. As a condition of any conveyance of lands that is exempted from the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C.13:1D‑51 et seq.) pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and prior to any public hearing required pursuant to subsection b. of this section, the Pinelands Commission, or the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, [or the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council,] as appropriate, after consultation with the local units in which the lands to be conveyed are located, shall determine that the proposed recreation or conservation purpose does not significantly alter the ecological and environmental value of the lands being exchanged. The appropriate commission [or council] shall determine that the proposed recreation or conservation purpose does not significantly alter the ecological and environmental value of the lands being exchanged, if:

(1) the appropriate commission [or council] determines that any proposed recreation or conservation use of the lands being exchanged is consistent with the law, rules and regulations governing the protection and development of the pinelands area or pinelands preservation area, as appropriate and as defined in section 10 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑11), or the Hackensack Meadowlands District, as defined in section 4 of P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17‑4), [or the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3),] and the requirements of the law, rules or regulations have been met to the satisfaction of the appropriate commission [or council] ; and

(2) a portion of the lands would be maintained in an undeveloped or pre‑conveyance state and no wetlands would be negatively affected in violation of State or federal law, or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

The determinations required pursuant to this subsection shall be made available to the public at the time of the public hearing required pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

d. For the purposes of this section, "local unit" means a municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the State, or any agency thereof authorized to administer, protect, develop and maintain lands for recreation and conservation purposes.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.49)

7. Section 18 of P.L.1985, c.432 (C.13:1M-18) is amended to read as follows:

18. a. Nothing in this act shall be construed to supersede or prohibit the adoption, by the governing body of any municipality or county, of any ordinance or resolution regulating or prohibiting the exploration beyond the reconnaissance phase, drilling for and the extraction of oil and natural gas [or uranium]. As used in this section, "reconnaissance" means:

(1) A geologic and mineral resource appraisal of a region by searching and analyzing published literature, aerial photography, and geologic maps;

(2) Use of geophysical, geochemical, and remote sensing techniques that do not involve road building, land clearing or the introduction of chemicals to a land or water area;

(3) Surface geologic, topographic or other mapping and property surveying; or

(4) Sample collections which do not involve excavation or drilling equipment or the introduction of chemicals to land or water area.

b. A municipality or county shall submit a copy of any ordinance or regulation specifically pertaining to activities regulated by this act, or a rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to this act, to the department.

c. The department shall, within 90 days of submittal, approve or disapprove any ordinance or regulation submitted pursuant to subsection b. of this section. An ordinance or regulation shall be disapproved only if the department finds it unreasonable and provides in writing its reasons for the finding. The failure of the department to act within 90 days of submittal shall constitute approval.

d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of a municipality or county or board of health to enact ordinances or regulations of general applicability to all industrial or commercial activities, including, but not limited to, ordinances and regulations limiting noise, light, and odor.

e. The department shall not approve any ordinance or regulation submitted pursuant to subsection b. of this section which governs activities within the Pinelands area designated in the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.), unless the Pinelands Commission has approved the ordinance or regulation. The department shall not disapprove an ordinance or regulation, or portion thereof, which has been certified by the Pinelands Commission as consistent with the requirements of the Comprehensive Management Plan as required by the "Pinelands Protection Act."

f. [The department shall not approve any ordinance or regulation submitted pursuant to subsection b. of this section which governs activities within the Highlands preservation area designated in the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), unless the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council has approved the ordinance or regulation. The department shall not disapprove an ordinance or regulation, or portion thereof, which has been certified by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council as consistent with the requirements of the Highlands regional master plan as required by the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.50)

8. Section 25 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-25) is amended to read as follows:

25. Within one year after the date of enactment of this act, and biennially thereafter until and including 2008, the Garden State Preservation Trust, after consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the State Agriculture Development Committee, the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Pinelands Commission, [the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council,] and the Office of State Planning in the Department of Community Affairs, shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a written report, which shall:

a. Describe the progress being made on achieving the goals and objectives of Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 7 of the State Constitution and this act with respect to the acquisition and development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, the preservation of farmland, and the preservation of historic properties, and provide recommendations with respect to any legislative, administrative, or local action that may be required to ensure that those goals and objectives may be met in the future;

b. Tabulate, both for the reporting period and cumulatively, the total acreage for the entire State, and the acreage in each county and municipality, of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes and of farmland preserved for farmland preservation purposes that have been applied toward meeting the goals and objectives of Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 7 of the State Constitution and this act with respect to the acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes and the preservation of farmland;

c. Tabulate, both for the reporting period and cumulatively, the total acreage for the entire State, and the acreage in each county and municipality, of any donations of land that have been applied toward meeting the goals and objectives of Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 7 of the State Constitution and this act with respect to the acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes and the preservation of farmland;

d. List, both for the reporting period and cumulatively, and by project name, project sponsor, and location by county and municipality, all historic preservation projects funded with constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part;

e. Indicate those areas of the State where, as designated by the Department of Environmental Protection in the Open Space Master Plan prepared pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2002, c.76 (C.13:8C‑25.1), the acquisition and development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes is planned or is most likely to occur, and those areas of the State where there is a need to protect water resources, including the identification of lands where protection is needed to assure adequate quality and quantity of drinking water supplies in times of drought, indicate those areas of the State where the allocation of constitutionally dedicated moneys for farmland preservation purposes is planned or is most likely to occur, and provide a proposed schedule and expenditure plan for those acquisitions, developments, and allocations, for the next reporting period, which shall include an explanation of how those acquisitions, developments, and allocations will be distributed throughout all geographic regions of the State to the maximum extent practicable and feasible;

f. List any surplus real property owned by the State or an independent authority of the State that may be utilizable for recreation and conservation purposes or farmland preservation purposes, and indicate what action has been or must be taken to effect a conveyance of those lands to the department, the committee, local government units, qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations, or other entities or persons so that the lands may be preserved and used for those purposes;

g. List, for the reporting period, all projects for which applications for funding under the Green Acres, farmland preservation, and historic preservation programs were received but not funded with constitutionally dedicated moneys during the reporting period, and the reason or reasons why those projects were not funded;

h. Provide, for the reporting period, a comparison of the amount of constitutionally dedicated moneys annually appropriated for local government unit projects for recreation and conservation purposes in municipalities eligible to receive State aid pursuant to P.L.1978, c.14 (C.52:27D‑178 et seq.) to the average amount of Green Acres bond act moneys annually appropriated for such projects in the years 1984 through 1998; and

i. Tabulate, both for the reporting period and cumulatively, the total acreage for the entire State, and the acreage in each county and municipality, of lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes that protect water resources and that protect flood‑prone areas.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.51)

9. Section 5 of P.L.2002, c.76 (C.13:8C-25.1) is amended to read as follows:

5. a. Within one year after the date of enactment of P.L.2002, c.76 (C.13:8C‑25.1 et al.), and annually thereafter, the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Office of State Planning in the Department of Community Affairs [,] and the Pinelands Commission, [and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council,] shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature an Open Space Master Plan, which shall indicate those areas of the State where the acquisition and development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes is planned or is most likely to occur, and those areas of the State where there is a need to protect water resources, including the identification of lands where protection is needed to assure adequate quality and quantity of drinking water supplies in times of drought, and which shall provide a proposed schedule and expenditure plan for those acquisitions and developments for the next reporting period, which shall include an explanation of how those acquisitions and developments will be distributed throughout all geographic regions of the State to the maximum extent practicable and feasible.

b. The department shall provide any information the Garden State Preservation Trust deems necessary in preparing its biennial report pursuant to section 25 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C‑25).

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.52)

10. Section 26 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-26) is amended to read as follows:

26. a. Moneys appropriated from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection shall be used by the department to:

(1) Pay the cost of acquisition and development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes;

(2) Provide grants and loans to assist local government units to pay the cost of acquisition and development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes; and

(3) Provide grants to assist qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations to pay the cost of acquisition and development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.

b. The expenditure and allocation of constitutionally dedicated moneys for recreation and conservation purposes shall reflect the geographic diversity of the State to the maximum extent practicable and feasible.

c. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5 of P.L.1985, c.310 (C.13:18A‑34) or this act, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, the value of a pinelands development credit, allocated to a parcel pursuant to P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.) and the pinelands comprehensive management plan adopted pursuant thereto, shall be made utilizing a value to be determined by either appraisal, regional averaging based upon appraisal data, or a formula supported by appraisal data. The appraisal and appraisal data shall consider as appropriate: land values in the pinelands regional growth areas; land values in counties, municipalities, and other areas reasonably contiguous to, but outside of, the pinelands area; and other relevant factors as may be necessary to maintain the environmental, ecological, and agricultural qualities of the pinelands area.

(2) No pinelands development credit allocated to a parcel of land pursuant to P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.) and the pinelands comprehensive management plan adopted pursuant thereto that is acquired or obtained in connection with the acquisition of the parcel for recreation and conservation purposes by the State, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part may be conveyed in any manner. All such pinelands development credits shall be retired permanently.

d. [(1) (a) For State fiscal years 2000 through 2004 only, when the department, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization seeks to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part or Green Acres bond act moneys in whole or in part, it shall conduct or cause to be conducted an appraisal or appraisals of the value of the lands that shall be made using the land use zoning of the lands (i) in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (ii) in effect on November 3, 1998 as if that land use zoning is still in effect at the time of proposed acquisition. The higher of those two values shall be utilized by the department, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization as the basis for negotiation with the landowner with respect to the acquisition price for the lands. The landowner shall be provided with both values determined pursuant to this subparagraph.

A landowner may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph and may agree to sell the lands for less than the values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

(b) After the date of enactment of P.L.2001, c.315 and through June 30, 2004, in determining the two values required pursuant to subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, the appraisal shall be made using not only the land use zoning but also the Department of Environmental Protection wastewater, water quality and watershed management rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards applicable to the lands subject to the appraisal (i) in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (ii) in effect on November 3, 1998 as if those rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards are still in effect at the time of proposed acquisition.

(2) The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition to any other requirements of law, rule, or regulation not inconsistent therewith.

(3) This subsection shall not:

(a) apply if the land use zoning of the lands at the time of proposed acquisition, and the Department of Environmental Protection wastewater, water quality and watershed management rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards applicable to the lands at the time of proposed acquisition, have not changed since November 3, 1998;

(b) apply in the case of lands to be acquired with federal moneys in whole or in part;

(d) apply to projects funded using constitutionally dedicated moneys appropriated pursuant to the annual appropriations act for State fiscal year 2000 (P.L.1999, c.138); or

(e) alter any requirements to disclose information to a landowner pursuant to the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3‑1 et seq.).] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

e. Moneys appropriated from the fund may be used to match grants, contributions, donations, or reimbursements from federal aid programs or from other public or private sources established for the same or similar purposes as the fund.

f. Moneys appropriated from the fund shall not be used by local government units or qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations to acquire lands that are already permanently preserved for recreation and conservation purposes, as determined by the department.

g. Whenever lands are donated to the State by a public utility, as defined pursuant to Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, for recreation and conservation purposes, the commissioner may make and keep the lands accessible to the public, unless the commissioner determines that public accessibility would be detrimental to the lands or any natural resources associated therewith.

h. Whenever the State acquires land for recreation and conservation purposes, the agency in the Department of Environmental Protection responsible for administering the land shall, within six months after the date of acquisition, inspect the land for the presence of any buildings or structures thereon which are or may be historic properties and, within 60 days after completion of the inspection, provide to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office in the department (1) a written notice of its findings, and (2) for any buildings or structures which are or may be historic properties discovered on the land, a request for determination of potential eligibility for inclusion of the historic building or structure in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. Whenever such a building or structure is discovered, a copy of the written notice provided to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office shall also be sent to the New Jersey Historic Trust and to the county historical commission or advisory committee, the county historical society, the local historic preservation commission or advisory committee, and the local historical society if any of those entities exist in the county or municipality wherein the land is located.

i. (1) Commencing July 1, 2004 and until five years after the date of enactment of P.L.2001, c.315, when the department, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization seeks to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part or Green Acres bond act moneys in whole or in part, it shall conduct or cause to be conducted an appraisal or appraisals of the value of the lands that shall be made using the Department of Environmental Protection wastewater, water quality and watershed management rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards applicable to the lands subject to the appraisal (a) in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (b) in effect on November 3, 1998 as if those rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards are still in effect at the time of proposed acquisition. The higher of those two values shall be utilized by the department, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization as the basis for negotiation with the landowner with respect to the acquisition price for the lands. The landowner shall be provided with both values determined pursuant to this paragraph. A landowner may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph and may agree to sell the lands for less than the values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

(2) The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition to any other requirements of law, rule, or regulation not inconsistent therewith.

(3) This subsection shall not:

(a) apply if the Department of Environmental Protection wastewater, water quality and watershed management rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards applicable to the lands at the time of proposed acquisition have not changed since November 3, 1998;

(b) apply in the case of lands to be acquired with federal moneys in whole or in part;

(d) alter any requirements to disclose information to a landowner pursuant to the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3‑1 et seq.).

j. (1) Commencing on the date of enactment of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.) or July 1, 2004, whichever is later, and through June 30, 2009, when the department, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization seeks to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part or Green Acres bond act moneys in whole or in part, it shall conduct or cause to be conducted an appraisal or appraisals of the value of the lands that shall be made using (a) the land use zoning of the lands, and any State environmental laws or Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations that may affect the value of the lands, subject to the appraisal and in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (b) the land use zoning of the lands, and any State environmental laws or Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations that may affect the value of the lands, subject to the appraisal and in effect on January 1, 2004. The higher of those two values shall be utilized by the department, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization as the basis for negotiation with the landowner with respect to the acquisition price for the lands. The landowner shall be provided with both values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

A landowner may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph and may agree to sell the lands for less than the values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

The provisions of this paragraph shall be applicable only to lands the owner of which at the time of proposed acquisition is the same person who owned the lands on the date of enactment of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.) and who has owned the lands continuously since that enactment date, or is an immediate family member of that person.

(2) A landowner whose lands are subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall choose to have the lands appraised in accordance with this subsection or in accordance with the provisions of [either subsection d. or] subsection i. of this section to the extent that the subsection is applicable and has not expired.

(3) The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition to any other requirements of law, rule, or regulation not inconsistent therewith.

(4) This subsection shall not:

(a) apply in the case of lands to be acquired with federal moneys in whole or in part;

(b) apply in the case of lands to be acquired in accordance with subsection c. of this section; or

(c) alter any requirements to disclose information to a landowner pursuant to the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3‑1 et seq.).

(5) For the purposes of this subsection, "immediate family member" means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin, grandparent, grandchild, father‑in‑law, mother‑in‑law, son‑in‑law, daughter‑in‑law, stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister, whether the individual is related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

k. The department shall adopt guidelines for the evaluation and priority ranking process which shall be used in making decisions concerning the acquisition of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund and from any other source. The guidelines shall be designed to provide, to the maximum extent practicable and feasible, that such moneys are spent equitably among the geographic areas of the State. The guidelines, and any subsequent revisions thereto, shall be published in the New Jersey Register. The adoption of the guidelines or of the revisions thereto, shall not be subject to the requirements of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.).

l. In making decisions concerning the acquisition of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund, in the evaluation and priority ranking process the department shall accord three times the weight to acquisitions of lands that would protect water resources, and two times the weight to acquisitions of lands that would protect flood‑prone areas, as those criteria are compared to the other criteria in the priority ranking process.

m. The department, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations that establish standards and requirements regulating any activity on lands acquired by the State for recreation and conservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys to assure that the activity on those lands does not diminish the protection of surface water or groundwater resources.

Any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection shall not apply to activities on lands acquired prior to the adoption of the rules and regulations.

n. [(1) The department, within three months after the date of the first meeting of the Highland Water Protection and Planning Council established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), shall consult with and solicit recommendations from the council concerning land preservation strategies and acquisition plans in the Highlands Region as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3).

The council's recommendations shall also address strategies and plans concerning establishment by the department of a methodology for prioritizing the acquisition of land in the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), for recreation and conservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund, especially with respect to (a) any land that has declined substantially in value due to the implementation of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), and (b) any major Highlands development, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), that would have qualified for an exemption pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection a. of section 30 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-28) but for the lack of a necessary State permit as specified in subparagraph (b) or (c), as appropriate, of paragraph (3) of subsection a. of section 30 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-28), and for which an application for such a permit had been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection and deemed by the department to be complete for review on or before March 29, 2004. The recommendations may also include a listing of specific parcels in the Highlands preservation area that the council is aware of that meet the criteria of subparagraph (a) or (b) of this paragraph and for that reason should be considered by the department as a priority for acquisition, but any such list shall remain confidential notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) or any other law to the contrary.

(2) In making decisions concerning applications for funding submitted by municipalities in the Highlands planning area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund, in the evaluation and priority ranking process the department shall accord a higher weight to any application submitted by a municipality in the Highlands planning area that has amended its development regulations in accordance with section 13 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-13) to establish one or more receiving zones for the transfer of development potential from the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), than that which is accorded to comparable applications submitted by other municipalities in the Highlands planning area that have not made such amendments to their development regulations.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

o. [Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-1 et seq.) to the contrary, for State fiscal years 2005 through 2009, the sum spent by the department in each of those fiscal years for the acquisition of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund in each county of the State shall be not less, and may be greater if additional sums become available, than the average annual sum spent by the department therefor in each such county, respectively, for State fiscal years 2002 through 2004, provided there is sufficient and appropriate lands within the county to be so acquired by the State for such purposes.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.53)

11. Section 38 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-38) is amended to read as follows:

38. a. All acquisitions or grants made pursuant to section 37 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-37) shall be made with respect to farmland devoted to farmland preservation under programs established by law.

b. The expenditure and allocation of constitutionally dedicated moneys for farmland preservation purposes shall reflect the geographic diversity of the State to the maximum extent practicable and feasible.

c. The committee shall implement the provisions of section 37 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-37) in accordance with the procedures and criteria established pursuant to the "Agriculture Retention and Development Act," P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C‑11 et seq.) except as provided otherwise by this act.

d. The committee shall adopt the same or a substantially similar method for determining, for the purposes of this act, the committee's share of the cost of a development easement on farmland to be acquired by a local government as that which is being used by the committee on the date of enactment of this act for prior farmland preservation funding programs.

e. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C‑31) or this act, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, whenever the value of a development easement on farmland to be acquired using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part is determined based upon the value of any pinelands development credits allocated to the parcel pursuant to P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.) and the pinelands comprehensive management plan adopted pursuant thereto, the committee shall determine the value of the development easement by:

(1) conducting a sufficient number of fair market value appraisals as it deems appropriate to determine the value for farmland preservation purposes of the pinelands development credits;

(2) considering development easement values in counties, municipalities, and other areas (a) reasonably contiguous to, but outside of, the pinelands area, which in the sole opinion of the committee constitute reasonable development easement values in the pinelands area for the purposes of this subsection, and (b) in the pinelands area where pinelands development credits are or may be utilized, which in the sole opinion of the committee constitute reasonable development easement values in the pinelands area for the purposes of this subsection;

(3) considering land values in the pinelands regional growth areas;

(4) considering the importance of preserving agricultural lands in the pinelands area; and

(5) considering such other relevant factors as may be necessary to increase participation in the farmland preservation program by owners of agricultural lands located in the pinelands area.

f. No pinelands development credit that is acquired or obtained in connection with the acquisition of a development easement on farmland or fee simple title to farmland by the State, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part may be conveyed in any manner. All such pinelands development credits shall be retired permanently.

g. [(1) (a) For State fiscal years 2000 through 2004 only, when the committee, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization seeks to acquire a development easement on farmland or the fee simple title to farmland for farmland preservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part, it shall conduct or cause to be conducted an appraisal or appraisals of the value of the lands that shall be made using the land use zoning of the lands (i) in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (ii) in effect on November 3, 1998 as if that land use zoning is still in effect at the time of proposed acquisition. The higher of those two values shall be utilized by the committee, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization as the basis for negotiation with the landowner with respect to the acquisition price for the lands. The landowner shall be provided with both values determined pursuant to this subparagraph.

A landowner may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph and may agree to sell the lands for less than the values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

(2) The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition to any other requirements of law, rule, or regulation not inconsistent therewith.

(3) This subsection shall not:

(b) apply in the case of lands to be acquired with federal moneys in whole or in part;

(d) apply to projects funded using constitutionally dedicated moneys appropriated pursuant to the annual appropriations act for State fiscal year 2000 (P.L.1999, c.138); or

h. Any farmland for which a development easement or fee simple title has been acquired pursuant to section 37 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-37) shall be entitled to the benefits conferred by the "Right to Farm Act," P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C‑1 et al.) and the "Agriculture Retention and Development Act," P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C‑11 et al.).

i. (1) Commencing July 1, 2004 and until five years after the date of enactment of P.L.2001, c.315, when the committee, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization seeks to acquire a development easement on farmland or the fee simple title to farmland for farmland preservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part, it shall conduct or cause to be conducted an appraisal or appraisals of the value of the lands that shall be made using the Department of Environmental Protection wastewater, water quality and watershed management rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards applicable to the lands subject to the appraisal (a) in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (b) in effect on November 3, 1998 as if those rules and regulations and associated requirements and standards are still in effect at the time of proposed acquisition. The higher of those two values shall be utilized by the committee, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization as the basis for negotiation with the landowner with respect to the acquisition price for the lands. The landowner shall be provided with both values determined pursuant to this paragraph. A landowner may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph and may agree to sell the lands for less than the values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

(2) The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition to any other requirements of law, rule, or regulation not inconsistent therewith.

(3) This subsection shall not:

(b) apply in the case of lands to be acquired with federal moneys in whole or in part;

(d) alter any requirements to disclose information to a landowner pursuant to the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3‑1 et seq.).

j. (1) Commencing on the date of enactment of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.) or July 1, 2004, whichever is later, and through June 30, 2009, when the committee, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization seeks to acquire a development easement on farmland or the fee simple title to farmland for farmland preservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys in whole or in part, it shall conduct or cause to be conducted an appraisal or appraisals of the value of the lands that shall be made using (a) the land use zoning of the lands, and any State environmental laws or Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations that may affect the value of the lands, subject to the appraisal and in effect at the time of proposed acquisition, and (b) the land use zoning of the lands, and any State environmental laws or Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations that may affect the value of the lands, subject to the appraisal and in effect on January 1, 2004. The higher of those two values shall be utilized by the committee, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization as the basis for negotiation with the landowner with respect to the acquisition price for the lands. The landowner shall be provided with both values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

A landowner may waive any of the requirements of this paragraph and may agree to sell the lands for less than the values determined pursuant to this paragraph.

(2) A landowner whose lands are subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall choose to have the lands appraised in accordance with this subsection or in accordance with the provisions of [either subsection g. or] subsection i. of this section to the extent that the subsection is applicable and has not expired.

(3) The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition to any other requirements of law, rule, or regulation not inconsistent therewith.

(4) This subsection shall not:

(a) apply in the case of lands to be acquired with federal moneys in whole or in part;

(b) apply in the case of lands to be acquired in accordance with subsection e. of this section; or

(c) alter any requirements to disclose information to a landowner pursuant to the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3‑1 et seq.).

k. The committee and the Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), shall jointly adopt rules and regulations that establish standards and requirements regulating any improvement on lands acquired by the State for farmland preservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated moneys to assure that any improvement does not diminish the protection of surface water or groundwater resources.

Any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection shall not apply to improvements on lands acquired prior to the adoption of the rules and regulations.

l. [(1) The committee, within three months after the date of the first meeting of the Highland Water Protection and Planning Council established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), shall consult with and solicit recommendations from the council concerning farmland preservation strategies and acquisition plans in the Highlands Region as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3).

The council's recommendations shall also address strategies and plans concerning establishment by the committee of a methodology for prioritizing the acquisition of development easements and fee simple titles to farmland in the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), for farmland preservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, especially with respect to farmland that has declined substantially in value due to the implementation of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act,"P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.). The recommendations may also include a listing of specific parcels in the Highlands preservation area that the council is aware of that have experienced a substantial decline in value and for that reason should be considered by the committee as a priority for acquisition, but any such list shall remain confidential notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) or any other law to the contrary.

(2) In prioritizing applications for funding submitted by local government units in the Highlands planning area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), to acquire development easements on farmland in the Highlands planning area using moneys from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, the committee shall accord a higher weight to any application submitted by a local government unit to preserve farmland in a municipality in the Highlands planning area that has amended its development regulations in accordance with section 13 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-13) to establish one or more receiving zones for the transfer of development potential from the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), than that which is accorded to comparable applications submitted by other local government units to preserve farmland in municipalities in the Highlands planning area that have not made such amendments to their development regulations.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

m. [Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-1 et seq.) to the contrary, for State fiscal years 2005 through 2009, the sum spent by the committee in each of those fiscal years for the acquisition by the committee of development easements and fee simple titles to farmland for farmland preservation purposes using moneys from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund in each county of the State shall be not less, and may be greater if additional sums become available, than the average annual sum spent by the department therefor in each such county, respectively, for State fiscal years 2002 through 2004, provided there is sufficient and appropriate farmland within the county to be so acquired by the committee for such purposes.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.54)

12. Section 8 of P.L.2005, c.178 (C.13:8C-38.2) is amended to read as follows:

8. a. The State Agriculture Development Committee shall prepare and issue at least annually a report listing the farms preserved through the acquisition by the committee of development easements on farmland or the acquisition of fee simple interests in farmland using monies appropriated from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund or any other source. The report also shall include a list of any farms that have received soil and water conservation grants from the State in the prior State fiscal year. The report shall identify each farm by name and provide the county and municipality in which it is located.

b. Each report shall be transmitted within 15 business days after its issuance to: (1) the President of the Senate; (2) the Speaker of the General Assembly; (3) the chairpersons of the Senate Economic Growth Committee and the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, or their successors as designated by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, respectively; (4) the Garden State Preservation Trust established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-4); and (5) the [Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4); and (6) the] Pinelands Commission established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-4). Copies of each report shall also be made available to the public upon request and on the Internet website maintained by the State Agriculture Development Committee.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.178, s.8)

13. Section 13 of P.L.1974, c.118 (C.13:13A-13) is amended to read as follows:

13. a. The commission shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and, after a public hearing, or public hearings, and pursuant to the provisions provided for in subsection 13 b. of this act, adopt a master plan or portion thereof for the physical development of the park, which plan may include proposals for various stages in the future development of the park, or amend the master plan. The master plan shall include a report presenting the objectives, assumptions, standards and principles which are embodied in the various interlocking portions of the master plan. The master plan shall be a composite of the one or more written proposals recommending the physical development and expansion of the park either in its entirety or a portion thereof which the commission shall prepare after meetings with the governing bodies of the affected municipalities and counties, and any agencies and instrumentalities thereof.

b. In preparing the master plan or any portion thereof or amendment thereto the commission shall give due consideration to: (1) the function of the canal as a major water supply facility in the State; (2) the necessity to provide recreational activities to the citizens of this State, including but not limited to, facilities, design capacities, and relationship to other available recreational areas; (3) existing historical sites and potential restorations or compatible development; (4) the range of uses and potential uses of the canal in the urban environments of the older, intensively developed communities through which it passes; and (5) designated wilderness areas to be kept as undeveloped, limited‑access areas restricted to canoeing and hiking. In preparing the master plan or any portion thereof or amendment thereto the commission shall consider existing patterns of development and any relevant master plan or other plan of development, and shall insure widespread citizen involvement and participation in the planning process.

c. The commission shall act in support of local suggestions or desires to complement the park master plan. Consultation, planning, and technical expertise will be made available to local planning bodies that wish to implement land‑use policy to enhance the park area. The commission shall act on or refer complaints by citizens' groups or private residents who discover hazardous situations, pollution, or evidence of noncompliance with use regulations.

d. The commission shall review and approve, reject or modify, any State project planned or State permits issued in the park, and submit its decision to the Governor.

e. [The commission shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), on any provision of the park master plan that may impact upon or otherwise affect the Highlands Region or the Highlands regional master plan, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), and any such provision shall be consistent with the Highlands regional master plan adopted by the council pursuant to that act.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.55)

14. Section 14 of P.L.1974, c.118 (C.13:13A-14) is amended to read as follows:

14. a. The commission shall determine, after a public hearing, or public hearings held in Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer, and Middlesex counties respectively, the extent and limits of the region to be designated the review zone. Any subsequent modification of the review zone shall be made by the commission only after public hearings in the county or counties in which the modification is to be made. All public hearings required pursuant to this section shall be held only after giving prior notice thereof by public advertisement once each week for two consecutive weeks in such newspaper or newspapers selected by the chairman of the commission as will best give notice thereof. The last publication of such notice shall be not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing.

b. The commission shall approve all State actions within the review zone that impact on the park, and insure that these actions conform as nearly as possible to the commission's master plan and relevant local plans or initiatives. The State actions which the commission shall review will include the operations of the Division of Water Resources concerning water supply and quality; the Division of Parks and Forestry in developing recreation facilities; and the activities of any other State department or agency that might affect the park.

c. The commission shall review and approve, reject, or modify any project within the review zone. The initial application for a proposed project within the zone shall be submitted by the applicant to the appropriate municipal reviewing agency. If approved by the agency, the application shall be sent to the commission for review. The commission shall review each proposed project in terms of its conformity with, or divergence from, the objectives of the commission's master plan and shall: (1) advise the appropriate municipal reviewing agency that the project can proceed as proposed; (2) reject the application and so advise the appropriate municipal reviewing agency and the governing body of the municipality; or (3) require modifications or additional safeguards on the part of the applicant, and return the application to the appropriate municipal reviewing agency, which shall be responsible for insuring that these conditions are satisfied before issuing a permit. If no action is taken by the commission within a period of 45 days from the date of submission of the application to the commission by the municipal reviewing agency, this shall constitute an approval by the commission. The commission's decision shall be final and binding on the municipality, and the commission may, in the case of any violation or threat of a violation of a commission's decision by a municipality, or by the appropriate municipal reviewing agency, as the case may be, institute civil action (1) for injunctive relief; (2) to set aside and invalidate a decision made by a municipality in violation of this subsection; or (3) to restrain, correct or abate such violation. As used herein: (1) "project" means any structure, land use change, or public improvements for which a permit from, or determination by, the municipality is required, which shall include, but not be limited to, building permits, zoning variances, and excavation permits; and (2) "agency" means any body or instrumentality of the municipality responsible for the issuance of permits or the approval of projects, as herein defined, which shall include, but not be limited to, governing bodies, planning and zoning boards, building inspectors, managers and municipal engineers.

d. [To the extent that any action the commission takes pursuant to this section may impact upon or otherwise affect the Highlands Region or the Highlands regional master plan, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), the commission shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), and any such action taken shall be consistent with the Highlands regional master plan adopted by the council pursuant to that act.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

e. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1974, c.118 (C.13:13A-1 et seq.), and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, the commission is authorized to issue a general permit in lieu of an approval required pursuant to subsection b. or c. of this section. The commission shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations that identify the types of projects eligible for a general permit and establish the criteria for the approval or rejection of a general permit issued pursuant to this subsection. The commission may authorize, by adoption of a resolution by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members, the executive director of the commission to approve, approve with conditions, or reject an application for a general permit issued pursuant to this subsection in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1974, c.118 (C.13:13A-1 et seq.) and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(cf: P.L.2007, c.142, s.2)

15. Section 21 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-19) is amended to read as follows:

21. a. There is created in the Department of the Treasury a special non-lapsing fund to be known as the "[Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund." The monies in the fund are dedicated and shall be used only to carry out the purposes enumerated in subsection b. of this section. The fund shall be credited with all revenues collected and deposited in the fund pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15-8), all interest and other income received from the investment of monies in the fund, and any monies which, from time to time, may otherwise become available for the purposes of the fund. Pending the use thereof pursuant to the provisions of subsection b. of this section, the monies deposited in the fund shall be held in interest-bearing accounts in public depositories, as defined pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1970, c.236 (C.17:9-41), and may be invested or reinvested in such securities as are approved by the State Treasurer. Interest or other income earned on monies deposited into the fund shall be credited to the fund for use as set forth in subsection b. of this section for other monies in the fund.

b. Monies deposited in the " [Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund" shall be used only for:

(1) [payments to the "Highlands Municipal Property Tax Stabilization Fund" established pursuant to subsection b. of section 19 of this act in such amounts as are necessary to provide property tax stabilization aid pursuant to that section] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) ;

(2) payments of watershed moratorium offset aid pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1999, c. 225 (C.58:29-8);

(3) [the making of grants by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to sections 13 and 18 of this act] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) ; and

(4) allocations to the Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund established pursuant to section 20 of [this act] P.L.2004, c.120 (C.54:1-84) .

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.21)

16. Section 2 of P.L.1997, c.144 (C.27:5‑9.1) is amended to read as follows:

2. Any billboard or outdoor advertising sign licensed and permitted pursuant to the "Roadside Sign Control and Outdoor Advertising Act," P.L.1991, c.413 (C.27:5‑5 et seq.), and proposed to be erected on or above any State right‑of‑way or any real property of the department shall be subject to local government zoning ordinances, applicable local government building permit requirements, and in the pinelands area, shall be subject to the provisions of the comprehensive management plan prepared and adopted by the Pinelands Commission pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑8) [, and in the Highlands Region, shall be subject to the provisions of the "Highland Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and the Highlands regional master plan adopted by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to section 8 of that act] .

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.57)

17. R.S.32:14‑5 is amended to read as follows:

32:14‑5. a. Palisades Interstate Park Commission shall, from time to time, select and locate such lands lying between the top or steep edge of the Palisades or the crest of the slope in places where the steep Palisade rocks are absent and the high‑water line of the Hudson river, from the New York State line on the north, to a line beginning at the intersection of the southern line of the old Fort Lee dock or landing with the high‑water line of the Hudson river and running thence in a westerly direction and at right angles to said high‑water line of the Hudson river to the east side of the river road running from Edgewater to Fort Lee, in Bergen county, on the south, and such lands or rights in lands belonging to persons other than the State, as may lie between the exterior bulkhead line established in the Hudson river and the high‑water line of the Hudson river, as may, in the opinion of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, be proper and necessary to be reserved for the purpose of establishing a park and thereby preserving the scenic beauty of the Palisades.

b. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission, in cooperation with the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission and in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council] , may, from time to time, select and locate such lands lying within the Highlands or Skylands areas of Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Warren counties in the State of New Jersey, including lands in those areas lying within the North Jersey Water Supply District, as may, in the opinion of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, in consultation with the department [and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council] , be proper and necessary to be reserved for establishing a park:

(1) to preserve the scenic beauty of those areas;

(2) for the purposes of recreation and conservation, which shall include hunting and fishing, or historic preservation; or

(3) for the purposes of watershed conservation or protecting, maintaining, or enhancing the quality and quantity of water supplies.

c. Except as authorized for the purposes specified by R.S.32:15‑1 et seq. and R.S.32:16‑1 et seq. with regard to the location, construction, maintenance, and operation of the Henry Hudson Drive and the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Bergen county, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission shall not acquire by condemnation any lands described in subsections a. and b. of this section. Any such lands shall be acquired by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission only through a sale by a willing seller.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.58)

18. Section 5 of P.L.1999, c.402 (C.32:20A-5) is amended to read as follows:

5. a. The duties of the commission shall be to:

(1) assess present and projected development, land use, and land management practices and patterns, and identify actual and potential environmental threats and problems, around Greenwood Lake and within its watershed, and determine the effects of those practices and patterns, threats, and problems upon the natural, scenic, and recreational resources of Greenwood Lake and its watershed;

(2) develop recommended regulations, procedures, policies, planning strategies, and model ordinances and resolutions pertaining to the protection, preservation, maintenance, management, and enhancement of Greenwood Lake and its watershed, which would be implemented as appropriate on a voluntary basis by those entities with representatives on the commission;

(3) coordinate environmental clean up, maintenance, and protection efforts undertaken, for the benefit of Greenwood Lake and its watershed, by those entities with representatives on the commission;

(4) coordinate with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's watershed management program for the area that includes Greenwood Lake;

(5) recommend appropriate State legislation and administrative action pertaining to the protection, preservation, maintenance, management, and enhancement of Greenwood Lake and its watershed;

(6) advocate, and where appropriate, act as a coordinating, distributing, or recipient agency for, federal, State, or private funding of environmental cleanup, maintenance, and protection projects for Greenwood Lake and its watershed, which projects may include the work of the commission; and

(7) take such other action as may be appropriate or necessary to further the purpose of this act.

b. [The commission shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), in carrying out its duties as prescribed pursuant to subsection a. of this section. Any action taken by the commission that may impact upon or otherwise affect the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), shall be consistent with the Highlands regional master plan adopted by the council pursuant to section 8 of that act.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.59)

19. Section 19 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-28) is amended to read as follows:

19. Preparation; contents; modification.

a. The planning board may prepare and, after public hearing, adopt or amend a master plan or component parts thereof, to guide the use of lands within the municipality in a manner which protects public health and safety and promotes the general welfare.

b. The master plan shall generally comprise a report or statement and land use and development proposals, with maps, diagrams and text, presenting, at least the following elements (1) and (2) and, where appropriate, the following elements (3) through (16):

(1) A statement of objectives, principles, assumptions, policies and standards upon which the constituent proposals for the physical, economic and social development of the municipality are based;

(2) A land use plan element (a) taking into account and stating its relationship to the statement provided for in paragraph (1) hereof, and other master plan elements provided for in paragraphs (3) through (14) hereof and natural conditions, including, but not necessarily limited to, topography, soil conditions, water supply, drainage, flood plain areas, marshes, and woodlands; (b) showing the existing and proposed location, extent and intensity of development of land to be used in the future for varying types of residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, educational and other public and private purposes or combination of purposes; and stating the relationship thereof to the existing and any proposed zone plan and zoning ordinance; and (c) showing the existing and proposed location of any airports and the boundaries of any airport safety zones delineated pursuant to the "Air Safety and Zoning Act of 1983," P.L.1983, c.260 (C.6:1-80 et al.); and (d) including a statement of the standards of population density and development intensity recommended for the municipality;

(3) A housing plan element pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-310), including, but not limited to, residential standards and proposals for the construction and improvement of housing;

(4) A circulation plan element showing the location and types of facilities for all modes of transportation required for the efficient movement of people and goods into, about, and through the municipality, taking into account the functional highway classification system of the Federal Highway Administration and the types, locations, conditions and availability of existing and proposed transportation facilities, including air, water, road and rail;

(5) A utility service plan element analyzing the need for and showing the future general location of water supply and distribution facilities, drainage and flood control facilities, sewerage and waste treatment, solid waste disposal and provision for other related utilities, and including any storm water management plan required pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.32 (C.40:55D-93 et al.). If a municipality prepares a utility service plan element as a condition for adopting a development transfer ordinance pursuant to subsection c. of section 4 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D-140), the plan element shall address the provision of utilities in the receiving zone as provided thereunder;

(6) A community facilities plan element showing the existing and proposed location and type of educational or cultural facilities, historic sites, libraries, hospitals, firehouses, police stations and other related facilities, including their relation to the surrounding areas;

(7) A recreation plan element showing a comprehensive system of areas and public sites for recreation;

(8) A conservation plan element providing for the preservation, conservation, and utilization of natural resources, including, to the extent appropriate, energy, open space, water supply, forests, soil, marshes, wetlands, harbors, rivers and other waters, fisheries, endangered or threatened species wildlife and other resources, and which systemically analyzes the impact of each other component and element of the master plan on the present and future preservation, conservation and utilization of those resources;

(9) An economic plan element considering all aspects of economic development and sustained economic vitality, including (a) a comparison of the types of employment expected to be provided by the economic development to be promoted with the characteristics of the labor pool resident in the municipality and nearby areas and (b) an analysis of the stability and diversity of the economic development to be promoted;

(10) An historic preservation plan element: (a) indicating the location and significance of historic sites and historic districts; (b) identifying the standards used to assess worthiness for historic site or district identification; and (c) analyzing the impact of each component and element of the master plan on the preservation of historic sites and districts;

(11) Appendices or separate reports containing the technical foundation for the master plan and its constituent elements;

(12) A recycling plan element which incorporates the State Recycling Plan goals, including provisions for the collection, disposition and recycling of recyclable materials designated in the municipal recycling ordinance, and for the collection, disposition and recycling of recyclable materials within any development proposal for the construction of 50 or more units of single-family residential housing or 25 or more units of multi-family residential housing and any commercial or industrial development proposal for the utilization of 1,000 square feet or more of land;

(13) A farmland preservation plan element, which shall include: an inventory of farm properties and a map illustrating significant areas of agricultural land; a statement showing that municipal ordinances support and promote agriculture as a business; and a plan for preserving as much farmland as possible in the short term by leveraging moneys made available by P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-1 et al.) through a variety of mechanisms including, but not limited to, utilizing option agreements, installment purchases, and encouraging donations of permanent development easements;

(14) A development transfer plan element which sets forth the public purposes, the locations of sending and receiving zones and the technical details of a development transfer program based on the provisions of section 5 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D-141);

(15) An educational facilities plan element which incorporates the purposes and goals of the "long-range facilities plan" required to be submitted to the Commissioner of Education by a school district pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2000, c.72 (C.18A:7G-4); and

(16) A green buildings and environmental sustainability plan element, which shall provide for, encourage, and promote the efficient use of natural resources and the installation and usage of renewable energy systems; consider the impact of buildings on the local, regional and global environment; allow ecosystems to function naturally; conserve and reuse water; treat storm water on-site; and optimize climatic conditions through site orientation and design.

c. The master plan and its plan elements may be divided into subplans and subplan elements projected according to periods of time or staging sequences.

d. The master plan shall include a specific policy statement indicating the relationship of the proposed development of the municipality, as developed in the master plan to (1) the master plans of contiguous municipalities, (2) the master plan of the county in which the municipality is located, (3) the State Development and Redevelopment Plan adopted pursuant to the "State Planning Act," sections 1 through 12 of P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A-196 et seq.) and (4) the district solid waste management plan required pursuant to the provisions of the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) of the county in which the municipality is located.

[In the case of a municipality situated within the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), the master plan shall include a specific policy statement indicating the relationship of the proposed development of the municipality, as developed in the master plan, to the Highlands regional master plan adopted pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-8).]

(cf:P.L.2008, c.54, s1)

20. Section 4 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15-8) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. The proceeds of the fees collected by the county recording officer, as authorized by P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15‑5 et seq.), shall be accounted for and remitted to the county treasurer.

b. (1) The county portion of the basic fee collected pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15‑7) shall be retained by the county treasurer for the use of the county.

(2) The State portion of the basic fee, the additional fee, and the general purpose fee shall be paid to the State Treasurer for the use of the State. Payments shall be made to the State Treasurer on the tenth day of each month following the month of collection.

c. (1) Amounts, not in excess of $25,000,000, paid during the State fiscal year to the State Treasurer from the payment of the State portion of the basic fee shall be credited to the "Shore Protection Fund" created pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c.148 (C.13:19‑16.1), in the manner established under that section.

(2) In addition to the amounts credited to the "Shore Protection Fund" pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, amounts equal to $12,000,000 in each of the first 10 years after [the date of enactment of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act,"P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.)] August 10, 2004 and to $5,000,000 in each year thereafter, paid during the State fiscal year to the State Treasurer from the payment of [fees collected by the county recording officer other than the additional fee of $0.75 for each $500.00 of consideration or fractional part thereof recited in the deed in excess of $150,000.00] the State portion of the basic fee shall be credited to the "[Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund" created pursuant to section 21 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-19), in the manner established under that section. No monies shall be credited to the "[Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund" pursuant to this paragraph until and unless the full amount of $25,000,000 has first been credited to the "Shore Protection Fund" pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection.

d. All amounts paid to the State Treasurer from the payment of the additional fee shall be credited to the Neighborhood Preservation Nonlapsing Revolving Fund established pursuant to P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D‑301 et al.), in the manner established under section 20 thereof (C.52:27D‑320).

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.61)

21. Section 2 of P.L.1992, c.148 (C.46:15-10.2) is amended to read as follows:

2. a. The annual appropriations act for each State fiscal year shall, without other conditions, limitations or restrictions on the following:

(1) credit amounts paid to the State Treasurer, if any, in payment of fees collected pursuant to paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15‑7) to the "Shore Protection Fund" created pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c.148 (C.13:19‑16.1), the Neighborhood Preservation Nonlapsing Revolving Fund established pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D‑320), and the " [Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund" created pursuant to section 21 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-19), pursuant to the requirements of section 4 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15‑8);

(2) appropriate the balance of the "Shore Protection Fund" created pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c.148 (C.13:19‑16.1), for the purposes of that fund;

(3) appropriate the balance of the Neighborhood Preservation Nonlapsing Revolving Fund established pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D‑320), for the purposes of that fund; and

(4) appropriate the balance of the " [Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund" created pursuant to section 21 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-19), for the purposes of that fund.

b. If the requirements of subsection a. of this section are not met on the effective date of an annual appropriations act for the State fiscal year, or if an amendment or supplement to an annual appropriations act for the State fiscal year should violate any of the requirements of subsection a. of this section, the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury shall, not later than five days after the enactment of the annual appropriations act, or an amendment or supplement thereto, that violates any of the requirements of subsection a. of this section, certify to the Director of the Division of Taxation that the requirements of subsection a. of this section have not been met.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.62)

22. Section 7 of P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A-202) is amended to read as follows:

7. a. In preparing, maintaining and revising the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, the commission shall solicit and give due consideration to the plans, comments and advice of each county and municipality, State agencies designated by the commission, [the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4),] and other local and regional entities. Prior to the adoption of each plan, the commission shall prepare and distribute a preliminary plan to each county planning board, municipal planning board and other requesting parties, including State agencies [, the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council,] and metropolitan planning organizations. Not less than 45 nor more than 90 days thereafter, the commission shall conduct a joint public informational meeting with each county planning board in each county [and with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council] for the purpose of providing information on the plan, responding to inquiries concerning the plan, and receiving informal comments and recommendations from county and municipal planning boards, local public officials [, the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council,] and other interested parties.

b. The commission shall negotiate plan cross‑acceptance with each county planning board, which shall solicit and receive any findings, recommendations and objections concerning the plan from local planning bodies. Each county planning board shall negotiate plan cross‑acceptance among the local planning bodies within the county, unless it shall notify the commission in writing within 45 days of the receipt of the preliminary plan that it waives this responsibility, in which case the commission shall designate an appropriate entity, or itself, to assume this responsibility. Each board or designated entity shall, within ten months of receipt of the preliminary plan, file with the commission a formal report of findings, recommendations and objections concerning the plan, including a description of the degree of consistency and any remaining inconsistency between the preliminary plan and county and municipal plans. In any event, should any municipality's plan remain inconsistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan after the completion of the cross‑acceptance process, the municipality may file its own report with the State Planning Commission, notwithstanding the fact that the county planning board has filed its report with the State Planning Commission. The term cross‑acceptance means a process of comparison of planning policies among governmental levels with the purpose of attaining compatibility between local, county, regional, and State plans. The process is designed to result in a written statement specifying areas of agreement or disagreement and areas requiring modification by parties to the cross‑acceptance.

c. Upon consideration of the formal reports of the county planning boards, the commission shall prepare and distribute a final plan to county and municipal planning boards, [the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council,] and other interested parties. The commission shall conduct not less than six public hearings in different locations throughout the State for the purpose of receiving comments on the final plan. The commission shall give at least 30 days' public notice of each hearing in advertisements in at least two newspapers which circulate in the area served by the hearing and at least 30 days' notice to the governing body and planning board of each county and municipality in the area served by the hearing [and to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for any area in the Highlands Region served by the hearing].

d. Taking full account of the testimony presented at the public hearings, the commission shall make revisions in the plan as it deems necessary and appropriate and adopt the final plan by a majority vote of its authorized membership no later than 60 days after the final public hearing.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.67)

23. Section 8 of P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A-203) is amended to read as follows:

8. a. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out its purposes, including procedures to facilitate the solicitation and receipt of comments in the preparation of the preliminary and final plan and to ensure a process for comparison of the plan with county and municipal master plans and regional plans, and procedures for coordinating the information collection, storage and retrieval activities of the various State agencies, and to establish a process for the endorsement of municipal, county, and regional plans that are consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.

b. [Any municipality or county or portion thereof located in the Highlands preservation area as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3) shall be exempt from the plan endorsement process established in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section. Upon the State Planning Commission endorsing the regional master plan adopted by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-8), any municipal master plan and development regulations or county master plan and associated regulations that have been approved by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to section 14 or 15 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-14 or C.13:20-15) shall be deemed the equivalent of having those plans endorsed by the State Planning Commission.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.69)

24. Section 11 of P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A-206) is amended to read as follows:

11. a. The provisions of P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A‑196 et al.) shall not be construed to affect the plans and regulations of the Pinelands Commission pursuant to the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.), or the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission pursuant to the "Hackensack Meadowlands Reclamation and Development Act," P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17‑1 et seq.) [, or the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council pursuant to the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act,"P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.) for that portion of the Highlands Region lying within the preservation area as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3)] . The State Planning Commission shall rely on the adopted plans and regulations of these entities in developing the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.

b. The State Planning Commission may adopt, after the enactment date of P.L.1993, c.190 (C.13:19‑5.1 et al.), the coastal planning policies of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19‑1 et seq.), the coastal planning policies of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection b. of section 17 of P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19‑17) and any coastal planning policies of rules and regulations adopted pursuant to P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19‑1 et seq.) thereafter as the State Development and Redevelopment Plan for the coastal area as defined in section 4 of P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19‑4).

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.72)

25. Section 3 of P.L.2004, c.89 (C.52:27D-10.4) is amended to read as follows:

3. The Smart Growth Ombudsman shall:

a. in conjunction with the Directors of the Divisions of Smart Growth established pursuant to sections 5, 7 and 9 of P.L.2004, c.89 (C.13:1D-145, C.27:1E-2 and C.52:27D-10.6), review all relevant permit programs and requirements and make recommendations to the Governor and the departments regarding integration of multiple review and approval processes and recommendations on those permits for which approval may be expedited in smart growth areas through mechanisms such as permits-by-rule, general permits or qualification of professionals;

b. maintain and operate an informational website which shall enable any person to gain access to information regarding the statutory obligations and authority of the Smart Growth Ombudsman, including those services which the ombudsman may provide to State permit applicants to facilitate or expedite permit approval and issuance;

c. at the request of an applicant, participate in the permit application and review process to ensure compliance with the time frames set forth in subsection c. of section 5, subsection c. of section 7 or subsection c. of section 9, or subsections c. and d. of section 10, as the case may be, of P.L.2004, c.89 (C.13:1D-145, C.27:1E-2, C.52:27D-10.6 or C.13:1D-146);

d. review any new rules or regulations proposed by any State agency and determine whether the proposed rules or regulations, as they pertain to the smart growth areas, are consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. In the event that the Smart Growth Ombudsman determines that the proposed rules or regulations in the smart growth areas are not consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, the Smart Growth Ombudsman shall return the proposed rules or regulations to the State agency with recommended amendments necessary to make the proposed rules or regulations consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. A State agency shall not file proposed new rules or regulations for publication in the New Jersey Register unless and until the Smart Growth Ombudsman determines the proposed rules or regulations in the smart growth areas are consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The requirements of this section may be waived upon a written determination by the Chief Counsel to the Governor that the proposed rules or regulations are required to implement a federal or State mandate; and

e. one year after the date of enactment of this act and annually thereafter, prepare a report which shall be transmitted to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the activities of the ombudsman, including, but not limited to, a description of the permits, permit mechanisms, and permit processes that have been streamlined, a list of permit applications in which the ombudsman has participated, any rules or regulations that have been reviewed and the consistency determinations made by the ombudsman, and a report concerning the programs established for the registration and qualification of professionals by the Director of the Division of Smart Growth in the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Community Affairs.

As used in this section, "State agency" shall not include the Pinelands Commission established pursuant to P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.), [the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council established pursuant to P.L.2004, c.89 (C.52:27D-10.2 et al),] or the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.404 (C.13:17-1 et seq.), or any independent authority or commission.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.89, s.3)

26. Section 20 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.54:1-84) is amended to read as follows:

20. a. The "Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund" is established in the General Fund as a special nonlapsing fund for the purpose of providing State aid to qualifying municipalities in the pinelands area. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall serve as administrator of the fund.

b. Every qualifying municipality in the pinelands area shall be eligible for State aid made with monies in the fund. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall annually distribute to each qualifying municipality in the pinelands area a percentage of the monies annually allocated to the fund equal to the percentage the qualifying municipality received of the total sum distributed from the "Pinelands Municipal Property Tax Stabilization Fund" pursuant to P.L.1983, c.551 (C.54:1-68 et seq.).

c. The State Treasurer shall annually credit, in each of the first five years after the date of enactment of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), to the "Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund" from the " [Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund" established pursuant to section 21 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-19), the sum of $1,800,000.

d. Any State aid made available with monies from the "Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund" pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any other moneys appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to any other federal or State program for the same category of aid.

e. Any qualifying municipality receiving State aid pursuant to this section shall anticipate those sums in its annual budget or any amendments or supplements thereto as a direct offset to the amount to be raised by taxation.

f. The Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs shall make such changes in the budget of any qualifying municipality to ensure that all sums received pursuant to this section are utilized as a direct offset to the amount to be raised by taxation and shall make such changes therein as the director deems necessary to ensure that the offset occurs.

g. Any sum received by a qualifying municipality pursuant to this section shall not be considered as an exception or exemption under P.L.1976, c.68 (C.40A:4-45.1 et seq.).

h. Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Local Budget Law" (N.J.S.40A:4-1 et seq.), a qualifying municipality which is due a payment pursuant to this section may anticipate the amount of the entitlement in its annual budget for the year in which the payment is made.

i. The Director of the Division of Local Government Services shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

j. As used in this section:

"Pinelands area" means the area so designated in section 10 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-11); and

"Qualifying municipality" means any municipality that received State aid distributed from the "Pinelands Municipal Property Tax Stabilization Fund" pursuant to P.L.1983, c.551 (C.54:1-68 et seq.).

k. This section shall expire July 1 next following one year after the date the last State aid payment is made to a qualifying municipality in the fifth year as provided pursuant to subsection c. of this section.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.20)

27. Section 13 of P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A-13) is amended to read as follows:

13. a. The department shall prepare and adopt the New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan, which plan shall be revised and updated at least once every five years.

b. The plan shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) An identification of existing Statewide and regional ground and surface water supply sources, both interstate and intrastate, and the current usage thereof;

(2) Projections of Statewide and regional water supply demands for the duration of the plan;

(3) Recommendations for improvements to existing State water supply facilities, the construction of additional State water supply facilities, and for the interconnection or consolidation of existing water supply systems, both interstate and intrastate;

(4) Recommendations for the diversion or use of fresh surface or ground waters and saline surface or ground waters for aquaculture purposes;

(5) Recommendations for legislative and administrative actions to provide for the maintenance and protection of watershed areas;

(6) Identification of lands purchased by the State for water supply facilities that currently are not actively used for water supply purposes, including, but not limited to, the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, with recommendations as to the future use of these lands for water supply purposes within or outside of the planning horizon for the plan; and

(7) Recommendations for administrative actions to ensure the protection of ground and surface water quality and water supply sources.

c. Prior to adopting the plan, including any revisions and updates thereto, the department shall:

(1) Prepare and make available to all interested persons a copy of the proposed plan or proposed revisions and updates to the current plan;

(2) Conduct public meetings in the several geographic areas of the State on the proposed plan or proposed revisions and updates to the current plan; and

(3) Consider the comments made at these meetings, make any revisions to the proposed plan or proposed revisions and updates to the current plan as it deems necessary, and adopt the plan.

d. [Prior to the adoption of any revision to the New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan pursuant to this section, the department shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), concerning the possible effects and impact of the plan upon the Highlands regional master plan, adopted pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-8l), and the water and other natural resources of the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3).] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c.) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2005, c.285, s.1)

28. Section 10 of P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A‑15.1) is amended to read as follows:

10. No action taken by the department pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.262 (C.58:1A‑1 et al.) or P.L.1993, c.202 (C.58:1A‑7.3 et al.) shall be inconsistent with the provisions of the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.) [,] or the comprehensive management plan for the pinelands area adopted pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑8) [, the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act,"P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), or the Highlands regional master plan adopted pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-8)] .

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.74)

29. Section 6 of P.L.1981, c.293 (C.58:1B-6) is amended to read as follows:

6. a. The authority is hereby empowered to design, initiate, acquire, construct, maintain, repair and operate projects or cause the same to be operated pursuant to a lease, sublease, or agreement with any person or governmental agency, and to issue bonds of the authority to finance these projects, payable from the revenues and other funds of the authority. All projects undertaken by the authority shall conform to the recommendations of the New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan.

b. The authority shall be subject to compliance with all State health and environmental protection statutes and regulations and any other statutes and regulations not inconsistent herewith. The authority may, upon the request of a governmental agency, enter into a contract to provide services for any project.

c. The authority shall consult with the Water Supply Advisory Council from time to time prior to final action on any project or undertaking authorized pursuant to this section.

d. [The authority shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), from time to time prior to final action on any project or undertaking authorized pursuant to this section in the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3). The provisions of section 16 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-16) shall apply to the authority.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.75)

30. Section 7 of P.L.2000, c.175 (C.58:4B‑7) is amended to read as follows:

7. The Lake Hopatcong Commission shall, in conjunction with each Lake Hopatcong municipality, develop a stormwater and nonpoint source pollution management plan for the region. The stormwater management and nonpoint source pollution plan shall be designed to reduce siltation and prevent pollution caused by stormwater runoff or nonpoint sources that would otherwise degrade the water quality of Lake Hopatcong and its tributaries, interfere with water‑based recreation, or adversely affect aquatic life. The goals and purposes of the plan shall be to improve the quality of stormwater runoff entering Lake Hopatcong, identify cost effective measures to control stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution, and identify funding mechanisms for implementation of such measures. [The commission shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), in developing the stormwater and nonpoint source pollution management plan pursuant to this section. Any plan developed pursuant to this section that may impact upon or otherwise affect the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), shall be consistent with the Highlands regional master plan adopted by the council pursuant to section 8 of that act.]

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.76)

31. Section 9 of P.L.2000, c.175 (C.58:4B-9) is amended to read as follows:

9. Each municipality represented on the commission shall provide the commission notice of proposed amendments and revisions to municipal master plans, zoning and other ordinances governing land use and development, and applications for specific development projects, and request that the commission review and evaluate the proposed amendment, revision, or application to assess its potential impact upon Lake Hopatcong and its watershed and provide the commission's recommendations for appropriate action thereon. [As part of the commission's review and evaluation, the commission shall consider the consistency of the amendment or revision with the Highlands regional master plan, adopted pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-8), if it may impact upon or otherwise affect the Highlands preservation area, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), and shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4), on any such matter.]

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.77)

32. R.S.58:5-12 is amended to read as follows:

58:5-12. The district water supply commission shall thereupon proceed to formulate plans for obtaining a water supply or a new or additional water supply for the municipality and any other municipalities that may desire water from such joint water supply, as provided for herein, and to estimate the cost thereof, the annual cost of operating the same, the probable share of the cost which each of the municipalities will be called upon to pay for its share of water supply and plant used in common with the other municipalities, and the cost of any distribution system, water supply or plant acquired or constructed for its individual use, and shall report the plans to the municipalities, together with a form of contract, providing for the raising and payment of the necessary funds to meet the cost of acquisition and operation.

[If the plans to be formulated pursuant to this section involve obtaining water from the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), the district water supply commission shall consult with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-4) prior to moving forward with any such plans or entering into any such contracts. The provisions of section 16 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-16) shall apply to the district water supply commission.]

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.78)

33. Section 1 of P.L.1993, c.351 (C.58:10A-7.2) is amended to read as follows:

1. a. An application for a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A‑1 et seq.) for the discharge of groundwater to surface water involving a groundwater remedial action necessitated by a discharge from an underground storage tank containing petroleum products or a groundwater remedial action involving petroleum products, shall contain, in addition to a properly filled application form:

(1) such documentation or other information on the permit application as may be prescribed by the department on a checklist made available to a prospective applicant;

(2) if the discharge from the proposed groundwater remedial action is located within a wastewater service district or area of a local public entity, a certified statement that a request, dated at least 60 days prior to the filing of the permit application, had been made to the local public entity to discharge the groundwater into the wastewater collection or treatment facilities of that entity, and that no reply has been received from that entity, or a written statement by the local public entity, dated not more than 60 days prior to the filing of the permit application with the department, that the entity has approved or rejected a written request by the applicant to discharge the treated groundwater into the wastewater collection or treatment facilities of that entity. Notwithstanding that a local public entity has approved the request to discharge groundwater into its facilities, the department may approve the applicant's permit to discharge the groundwater to surface water upon a finding that it is in the public interest;

(3) a certified statement that a copy of the completed application form along with a consent request, as prescribed in subsection b. of this section, have been filed with the clerk of the municipality in which the site of the proposed groundwater remedial action is located, and setting forth the date of the filing with the host municipality, which filing shall be made prior to, or concurrent with, the filing of the application with the department; and

(4) within the pinelands area, documentation from the Pinelands Commission that the application is consistent with the requirements of the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A‑1 et seq.) or any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto and section 502 of the "National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978" (Pub.L. 95‑625) [; and

(5) within the Highlands preservation area, documentation from the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council that the application is consistent with the requirements of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act,"P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), and any rules and regulations and the Highlands regional master plan adopted pursuant thereto] .

b. The department shall prescribe the form and content of a request for consent filed with a municipality pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection a. of this section. The municipal consent request shall be limited to an identification of all municipal approvals with which the applicant is required to comply, the status of any applications filed therefor, and whether or not the municipality consents to the application and the specific reasons therefor. The request for consent form shall also advise that documentation and other information relating to the application have been filed and are available for review at the department. A municipality receiving a request for consent form shall have 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of the application and request for consent form to file with the department the information requested, and its consent of, or objections to, the application. Municipal consent or objection to a groundwater remedial action shall be by resolution of the governing body of the municipality unless the governing body has, by resolution, delegated such authority to a qualified officer or entity thereof, in which case the endorsement shall be signed by the designated officer or official of the entity. Notwithstanding that a municipality objects to a permit application or fails to file a consent or objection to the permit application, the department may approve the applicant's permit application to discharge groundwater to surface water.

c. An application pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be deemed complete, for the purposes of departmental review, within 30 days of the filing of the application with the department unless the department notifies the applicant, in writing, prior to expiration of the 30 days that the application has failed to satisfy one or more of the items identified in subsection a. of this section. If an application is determined to be complete, the department shall review and take final action on the completed application within 60 days from commencement of the review, or, if the parties mutually agree to a 30‑day extension, within 90 days therefrom. The review period for a completed application shall commence immediately upon termination of the 30‑day period, or upon determination by the department that the application is complete, whichever occurs first. If the department fails to take final action on a permit application for a general permit in the time frames set forth in this subsection, that general permit shall be deemed to have been approved by the department. The department shall review an application for a permit pursuant to subsection a. of this section and shall take action on that application pursuant to the time frames set forth in this subsection, notwithstanding that all of the municipal approvals have not been obtained, unless such approvals would materially affect the terms and conditions of the permit, except that in such instances the department may condition its approval of the application on the necessary municipal approvals being subject to the terms and conditions of the application.

d. The department may issue a general permit for the discharge of groundwater to surface water pursuant to a groundwater remedial action of discharged petroleum products as provided in subsection a. of this section.

e. (1) The department may not require a municipal consent of a treatment works application for a groundwater remedial action for which a permit application is submitted pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

(2) If a completed application for a treatment works approval for a groundwater remedial action is filed with the department at the same time as an application for a general permit therefor, the department shall concurrently review the two applications, except that the review of the application for the treatment works approval for a groundwater remedial action shall not be subject to the time frames set forth in subsection c. of this section.

f. The provisions of this section shall apply to applications filed on or after the effective date of this act, except that the Department of Environmental Protection may implement any of the provisions of this section prior to that date.

g. The department may, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this act.

h. For purposes of this section:

"General permit" means a permit issued by the department for similar discharges.

"Groundwater remedial action" means the removal or abatement of one or more pollutants in a groundwater source.

"Local public entity" means a sewerage authority established pursuant to P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A‑1 et seq.), a municipal authority established pursuant to P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B‑1 et seq.), the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners continued pursuant to R.S.58:14‑2, a joint meeting established pursuant to R.S.40:63‑68 et seq. or a local unit authorized to operate a sewerage facility pursuant to N.J.S.40A:26A‑1 et seq., or any predecessor act.

"Underground storage tank" shall have the same meaning as in section 2 of P.L.1986, c.102 (C.58:10A‑22), except that as used herein underground storage tanks shall include:

(1) farm underground storage tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes;

(2) underground storage tanks used to store heating oil for on‑site consumption in a nonresidential building with a capacity of 2,000 gallons or less; and

(3) underground storage tanks used to store heating oil for on‑site consumption in a residential building.

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.79)

34. Section 24 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-2) is amended to read as follows:

24. a. The department shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations establishing criteria and standards necessary for the submission, evaluation and approval of plans or results of preliminary assessments, site investigations, remedial investigations, and remedial action workplans and for the implementation thereof. The documents for the preliminary assessment, site investigation, remedial investigation, and remedial action workplan required to be submitted for a remediation, shall not be identical to the criteria and standards used for similar documents submitted pursuant to federal law, except as may be required by federal law. In establishing criteria and standards for these terms the department shall strive to be result oriented, provide for flexibility, and to avoid duplicate or unnecessarily costly or time consuming conditions or standards.

b. The regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall provide that a person performing a remediation may deviate from the strict adherence to the regulations, in a variance procedure or by another method prescribed by the department, if that person can demonstrate that the deviation and the resulting remediation would be as protective of human health, safety, and the environment, as appropriate, as the department's regulations and that the health risk standards established in subsection d. of section 35 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-12) and any applicable environmental standards would be met. Factors to be considered in determining if the deviation should be allowed are whether the alternative method:

(1) has been either used successfully or approved by the department in writing or similar situations;

(2) reflects current technology as documented in peer-reviewed professional journals;

(3) can be expected to achieve the same or substantially the same results or objectives as the method which it is to replace; and

(4) furthers the attainment of the goals of the specific remedial phase for which it is used.

c. To the extent practicable and in conformance with the standards for remediations as provided in section 35 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10-12), the department shall adopt rules and regulations that allow for certain remedial actions to be undertaken in a manner prescribed by the department without having to obtain prior approval from or submit detailed documentation to the department. A person who performs a remedial action in the manner prescribed in the rules and regulations of the department, and who certifies this fact to the department, shall obtain a final remediation document for that particular remedial action.

d. The department shall develop regulatory procedures that encourage the use of innovative technologies in the performance of remedial actions and other remediation activities.

e. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, all remediation standards and remedial actions that involve real property located in the pinelands area shall be consistent with the provisions of the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.), any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and with section 502 of the "National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978," 16 U.S.C. s.471i.

f. [Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, all remediation standards and remedial actions that involve real property located in the Highlands preservation area shall be consistent with the provisions of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), and any rules and regulations and the Highlands regional master plan adopted pursuant thereto.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

(cf: P.L.2009, c.60, s.41)

35. Section 35 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-12) is amended to read as follows:

35. a. The Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt minimum remediation standards for soil, groundwater, and surface water quality necessary for the remediation of contamination of real property. The remediation standards shall be developed to ensure that the potential for harm to public health and safety and to the environment is minimized to acceptable levels, taking into consideration the location, the surroundings, the intended use of the property, the potential exposure to the discharge, and the surrounding ambient conditions, whether naturally occurring or man-made.

Until the minimum remediation standards for the protection of public health and safety as described herein are adopted, the department shall apply public health and safety remediation standards for contamination at a site on a case-by-case basis based upon the considerations and criteria enumerated in this section.

The department shall not propose or adopt remediation standards protective of the environment pursuant to this section, except standards for groundwater or surface water, until recommendations are made by the Environment Advisory Task Force created pursuant to section 37 of P.L.1993, c.139. Until the Environment Advisory Task Force issues its recommendations and the department adopts remediation standards protective of the environment as required by this section, the department shall continue to determine the need for and the application of remediation standards protective of the environment on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the guidance and regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980," 42 U.S.C. s.9601 et seq. and other statutory authorities as applicable.

The department may not require any person to perform an ecological evaluation of any area of concern that consists of an underground storage tank storing heating oil for on-site consumption in a one to four family residential building.

b. In developing minimum remediation standards the department shall:

(1) base the standards on generally accepted and peer reviewed scientific evidence or methodologies;

(2) base the standards upon reasonable assumptions of exposure scenarios as to amounts of contaminants to which humans or other receptors will be exposed, when and where those exposures will occur, and the amount of that exposure;

(3) avoid the use of redundant conservative assumptions. The department shall avoid the use of redundant conservative assumptions by the use of parameters that provide an adequate margin of safety and which avoid the use of unrealistic conservative exposure parameters and which guidelines make use of the guidance and regulations for exposure assessment developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980," 42 U.S.C. s.9601 et seq. and other statutory authorities as applicable;

(4) where feasible, establish the remediation standards as numeric or narrative standards setting forth acceptable levels or concentrations for particular contaminants; and

(5) consider and utilize, in the absence of other standards used or developed by the Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the toxicity factors, slope factors for carcinogens and reference doses for non-carcinogens from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).

c. (1) The department shall develop residential and nonresidential soil remediation standards that are protective of public health and safety. For contaminants that are mobile and transportable to groundwater or surface water, the residential and nonresidential soil remediation standards shall be protective of groundwater and surface water. Residential soil remediation standards shall be set at levels or concentrations of contamination for real property based upon the use of that property for residential or similar uses and which will allow the unrestricted use of that property without the need of engineering devices or any institutional controls and without exceeding a health risk standard greater than that provided in subsection d. of this section. Nonresidential soil remediation standards shall be set at levels or concentrations of contaminants that recognize the lower likelihood of exposure to contamination on property that will not be used for residential or similar uses, which will allow for the unrestricted use of that property for nonresidential purposes, and that can be met without the need of engineering controls. Whenever real property is remediated to a nonresidential soil remediation standard, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3) of subsection g. of this section, the department shall require, pursuant to section 36 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-13), that the use of the property be restricted to nonresidential or other uses compatible with the extent of the contamination of the soil and that access to that site be restricted in a manner compatible with the allowable use of that property.

(2) The department may develop differential remediation standards for surface water or groundwater that take into account the current, planned, or potential use of that water in accordance with the "Clean Water Act" (33 U.S.C. s.1251 et seq.) and the "Water Pollution Control Act," P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.).

d. The department shall develop minimum remediation standards for soil, groundwater, and surface water intended to be protective of public health and safety taking into account the provisions of this section. In developing these minimum health risk remediation standards the department shall identify the hazards posed by a contaminant to determine whether exposure to that contaminant can cause an increase in the incidence of an adverse health effect and whether the adverse health effect may occur in humans. The department shall set minimum soil remediation health risk standards for both residential and nonresidential uses that:

(1) for human carcinogens, as categorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, will result in an additional cancer risk of one in one million;

(2) for noncarcinogens, will limit the Hazard Index for any given effect to a value not exceeding one.

The health risk standards established in this subsection are for any particular contaminant and not for the cumulative effects of more than one contaminant at a site.

e. Remediation standards and other remediation requirements established pursuant to this section and regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall apply to remediation activities required pursuant to the "Spill Compensation and Control Act," P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11 et seq.), the "Water Pollution Control Act," P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.), P.L.1986, c.102 (C.58:10A-21 et seq.), the "Industrial Site Recovery Act," P.L.1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-6 et al.), the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.), the "Comprehensive Regulated Medical Waste Management Act," sections 1 through 25 of P.L.1989, c.34 (C.13:1E-48.1 et seq.), the "Major Hazardous Waste Facilities Siting Act," P.L.1981, c.279 (C.13:1E-49 et seq.), the "Sanitary Landfill Facility Closure and Contingency Fund Act," P.L.1981, c.306 (C.13:1E-100 et seq.), the "Regional Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility Siting Act," P.L.1987, c.333 (C.13:1E-177 et seq.), or any other law or regulation by which the State may compel a person to perform remediation activities on contaminated property. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the department to establish discharge limits for pollutants or to prescribe penalties for violations of those limits pursuant to P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.), or to require the complete removal of nonhazardous solid waste pursuant to law.

f. (1) A person performing a remediation of contaminated real property, in lieu of using the established minimum soil remediation standard for either residential use or nonresidential use adopted by the department pursuant to subsection c. of this section, may submit to the department a request to use an alternative residential use or nonresidential use soil remediation standard. The use of an alternative soil remediation standard shall be based upon site specific factors which may include (1) physical site characteristics which may vary from those used by the department in the development of the soil remediation standards adopted pursuant to this section; or (2) a site specific risk assessment. If a person performing a remediation requests to use an alternative soil remediation standard based upon a site specific risk assessment, that person shall demonstrate to the department that the requested deviation from the risk assessment protocol used by the department in the development of soil remediation standards pursuant to this section is consistent with the guidance and regulations for exposure assessment developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980," 42 U.S.C.s.9601 et seq. and other statutory authorities as applicable. A site specific risk assessment may consider exposure scenarios and assumptions that take into account the form of the contaminant present, natural biodegradation, fate and transport of the contaminant, available toxicological data that are based upon generally accepted and peer reviewed scientific evidence or methodologies, and physical characteristics of the site, including, but not limited to, climatic conditions and topographic conditions. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the use of an alternative soil remediation standard in those instances where an engineering control is the appropriate remedial action, as determined by the department, to prevent exposure to contamination.

Upon a determination by the department that the requested alternative remediation standard satisfies the department's regulations, is protective of public health and safety, as established in subsection d. of this section, and is protective of the environment pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the alternative residential use or nonresidential use soil remediation standard shall be approved by the department. The burden to demonstrate that the requested alternative remediation standard is protective rests with the person requesting the alternative standard and the department may require the submission of any documentation as the department determines to be necessary in order for the person to meet that burden.

(2) The department may, upon its own initiative, require an alternative remediation standard for a particular contaminant for a specific real property site, in lieu of using the established minimum residential use or nonresidential use soil remediation standard adopted by the department for a particular contaminant pursuant to this section. The department may require an alternative remediation standard pursuant to this paragraph upon a determination by the department, based on the weight of the scientific evidence, that due to specific physical site characteristics of the subject real property, including, but not limited to, its proximity to surface water, the use of the adopted residential use or nonresidential use soil remediation standards would not be protective, or would be unnecessarily overprotective, of public health or safety or of the environment, as appropriate.

g. The development, selection, and implementation of any remediation standard or remedial action shall ensure that it is protective of public health, safety, and the environment, as applicable, as provided in this section. In determining the appropriate remediation standard or remedial action that shall occur at a site, the department and any person performing the remediation, shall base the decision on the following factors:

(1) Unrestricted use remedial actions, limited restricted use remedial actions and restricted use remedial actions shall be allowed except that unrestricted use remedial actions and limited restricted use remedial actions shall be preferred over restricted use remedial actions. For any remediation initiated one year after the date of enactment of P.L.2009, c.60 (C.58:10C-1 et al.), the department shall require the use of an unrestricted use remedial action, or a presumptive remedy or an alternative remedy as provided in paragraph (10) of this subsection, at a site or area of concern where new construction is proposed for residential purposes, for use as a child care center licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.), or as a public school or private school as defined in N.J.S.18A:1-1, as a charter school established pursuant to P.L.1995, c.426 (C.18A:36A-1 et seq.), or where there will be a change in the use of the site to residential, child care, or public school, private school, or charter school purposes or another purpose that involves use by a sensitive population. For any remediation initiated on or after the date of enactment of P.L.2009, c.60 (C.58:10C-1 et al.), the department may require the use of an unrestricted use remedial action or a presumptive remedy as provided in guidelines adopted pursuant to paragraph (10) of this subsection for a site or area of concern that is to be used for residential, child care, or public school, private school, or charter school purposes or another purpose that involves use by a sensitive population. Except as provided in this subsection, and section 27 of P.L.2009, c.60 (C.58:10C-27), the department, however, may not disapprove the use of a restricted use remedial action or a limited restricted use remedial action so long as the selected remedial action meets the health risk standard established in subsection d. of this section, and where, as applicable, is protective of the environment. Except as provided in this subsection and section 27 of P.L.2009, c.60 (C.58:10C-27), the choice of the remedial action to be implemented shall be made by the person responsible for conducting the remediation in accordance with regulations adopted by the department and that choice of the remedial action shall be approved by the department if all the criteria for remedial action selection enumerated in this section, as applicable, are met. Except as provided in section 27 of P.L.2009, c.60 (C.58:10C-27), the department may not require a person to compare or investigate any alternative remedial action as part of its review of the selected remedial action. The department may disapprove the selection of a remedial action for a site on which the proposed remedial action will render the property unusable for future redevelopment or for recreational use;

(2) Contamination may, upon the department's approval, be left onsite at levels or concentrations that exceed the minimum soil remediation standards for residential use if the implementation of institutional or engineering controls at that site will result in the protection of public health, safety and the environment at the health risk standard established in subsection d. of this section, if the requirements established in subsections a., b., c. and d. of section 36 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-13), and paragraphs (1) and (10) of this subsection, are met. The department may also require the treatment or removal of contaminated material that would pose an acute health or safety hazard in the event of failure of an engineering control;

(3) Real property on which there is soil that has not been remediated to the residential soil remediation standards, or real property on which the soil, groundwater, or surface water has been remediated to meet the required health risk standard by the use of engineering or institutional controls, may be developed or used for residential purposes, or for any other similar purpose, if (a) all areas of that real property at which a person may come into contact with soil are remediated to meet the residential soil remediation standards, (b) it is clearly demonstrated that for all areas of the real property, other than those described in subparagraph (a) above, engineering and institutional controls can be implemented and maintained on the real property sufficient to meet the health risk standard as established in subsection d. of this section, and (c) a presumptive remedy established and approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (10) of this subsection, or an alternative remedy approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (10) of this subsection, has been approved, as provided in paragraphs (1) and (10) of this subsection;

(4) Remediation shall not be required beyond the regional natural background levels for any particular contaminant. The department shall develop regulations that set forth a process to identify background levels of contaminants for a particular region. For the purpose of this paragraph "regional natural background levels" means the concentration of a contaminant consistently present in the environment of the region of the site and which has not been influenced by localized human activities;

(5) Remediation shall not be required of the owner or operator of real property for contamination coming onto the site from another property owned and operated by another person, unless the owner or operator is the person who is liable for cleanup and removal costs pursuant to P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11 et seq.);

(6) Groundwater that is contaminated shall not be required to be remediated to a level or concentration for any particular contaminant lower than the level or concentration that is migrating onto the property from another property owned and operated by another person;

(7) The technical performance, effectiveness and reliability of the proposed remedial action in attaining and maintaining compliance with applicable remediation standards and required health risk standards shall be considered. In reviewing a proposed remedial action, the department or the licensed site remediation professional shall also consider the ability of the owner or operator to implement the proposed remedial action within a reasonable time frame without jeopardizing public health, safety or the environment;

(8) The use of a remedial action for soil contamination that is determined by the department to be effective in its guidance document created pursuant to section 38 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-14), is presumed to be an appropriate remedial action if it is to be implemented on a site in the manner described by the department in the guidance document and applicable regulations and if all of the conditions for remedy selection provided for in this section are met. The burden to prove compliance with the criteria in the guidance document is with the person responsible for conducting the remediation;

(9) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1997, c.278);

(10) The department shall, by rule or regulation, establish presumptive remedies, use of which shall be required on any site or area of concern to be used for residential purposes, as a child care center licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.), as a public school or private school as defined in N.J.S.18A:1-1, or as a charter school established pursuant to P.L.1995, c.426 (C.18A:36A-1 et seq.). The department may also issue guidelines that provide for presumptive remedies that may be required as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, on a site to be used for residential purposes, as a child care center, or as a public school, private school or charter school. The presumptive remedies shall be based on the historic use of the property, the nature and extent of the contamination at the site, the future use of the site and any other factors deemed relevant by the department. The department may include the use of engineering and institutional controls in the presumptive remedies authorized pursuant to this subsection. If the person responsible for conducting the remediation demonstrates to the department that the use of an unrestricted use remedial action or a presumptive remedy is impractical due to conditions at the site, or that an alternative remedy would be equally protective over time as a presumptive remedy, then an alternative remedy for the site that is protective of the public health and safety may be proposed for review and approval by the department;

(11) The department may authorize a person conducting a remediation to divide a contaminated site into one or more areas of concern. For each area of concern, a different remedial action may be selected provided the requirements of this subsection are met and the remedial action selected is consistent with the future use of the property; and

(12) The construction of single family residences, public schools, private schools, or charter schools, or child care centers shall be prohibited on a landfill that undergoes a remediation if engineering controls are required for the management of landfill gas or leachate.

The burden to demonstrate that a remedial action is protective of public health, safety and the environment, as applicable, and has been selected in conformance with the provisions of this subsection is with the person responsible for conducting the remediation.

The department may require the person responsible for conducting the remediation to supply the information required pursuant to this subsection as is necessary for the department to make a determination.

h. (1) The department shall adopt regulations which establish a procedure for a person to demonstrate that a particular parcel of land contains large quantities of historical fill material. Upon a determination by the department that large quantities of historic fill material exist on that parcel of land, there is a rebuttable presumption that the department shall not require any person to remove or treat the fill material in order to comply with applicable health risk or environmental standards. In these areas the department shall establish by regulation the requirement for engineering or institutional controls that are designed to prevent exposure of these contaminants to humans, that allow for the continued use of the property, that are less costly than removal or treatment, which maintain the health risk standards as established in subsection d. of this section, and, as applicable, are protective of the environment. The department may rebut the presumption only upon a finding by the preponderance of the evidence that the use of engineering or institutional controls would not be effective in protecting public health, safety, and the environment. The department may not adopt any rule or regulation that has the effect of shifting the burden of rebutting the presumption. For the purposes of this paragraph "historic fill material" means generally large volumes of non-indigenous material, no matter what date they were emplaced on the site, used to raise the topographic elevation of a site, which were contaminated prior to emplacement and are in no way connected with the operations at the location of emplacement and which include, but are not limited to, construction debris, dredge spoils, incinerator residue, demolition debris, fly ash, and non-hazardous solid waste. Historic fill material shall not include any material which is substantially chromate chemical production waste or any other chemical production waste or waste from processing of metal or mineral ores, residues, slags or tailings.

(2) The department shall develop recommendations for remedial actions in large areas of historic industrial contamination. These recommendations shall be designed to meet the health risk standards established in subsection d. of this section, and to be protective of the environment and shall take into account the industrial history of these sites, the extent of the contamination that may exist, the costs of remedial actions, the economic impacts of these policies, and the anticipated uses of these properties. The department shall issue a report to the Senate Environment Committee and to the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, or their successors, explaining these recommendations and making any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action.

(3) The department may not, as a condition of allowing the use of a nonresidential use soil remediation standard, or the use of institutional or engineering controls, require the owner of that real property, except as provided in section 36 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-13), to restrict the use of that property through the filing of a deed easement, covenant, or condition.

i. The department may not require a remedial action workplan to be prepared or implemented or engineering or institutional controls to be imposed upon any real property unless sampling performed at that real property demonstrates the existence of contamination above the applicable remediation standards.

j. Upon the approval by the department or by a licensed site remediation professional of a remedial action workplan, or similar plan that describes the extent of contamination at a site and the remedial action to be implemented to address that contamination, the department may not subsequently require a change to that workplan or similar plan in order to compel a different remediation standard due to the fact that the established remediation standards have changed; however, the department may compel a different remediation standard if the difference between the new remediation standard and the remediation standard approved in the workplan or other plan differs by an order of magnitude. The limitation to the department's authority to change a workplan or similar plan pursuant to this subsection shall only apply if the workplan or similar plan is being implemented in a reasonable timeframe, as may be indicated in the approved remedial action workplan or similar plan.

k. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, all remediation standards and remedial actions that involve real property located in the Pinelands area shall be consistent with the provisions of the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.), any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and with section 502 of the "National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978," 16 U.S.C. s.471i [; and all remediation standards and remedial actions that involve real property located in the Highlands preservation area shall be consistent with the provisions of the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), and any rules and regulations and the Highland regional master plan adopted pursuant thereto] .

l. Upon the adoption of a remediation standard for a particular contaminant in soil, groundwater, or surface water pursuant to this section, the department may amend that remediation standard only upon a finding that a new standard is necessary to maintain the health risk standards established in subsection d. of section 35 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-12) or to protect the environment, as applicable. The department may not amend a public health based soil remediation standard to a level that would result in a health risk standard more protective than that provided for in subsection d. of section 35 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-12).

m. Nothing in P.L.1993, c.139 shall be construed to restrict or in any way diminish the public participation which is otherwise provided under the provisions of the "Spill Compensation and Control Act," P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11 et seq.).

n. Notwithstanding any provision of subsection a. of section 36 of P.L.1993, c.139 (C.58:10B-13) to the contrary, the department may not require a person intending to implement a remedial action at an underground storage tank facility storing heating oil for on-site consumption at a one to four family residential dwelling to provide advance notice to a municipality prior to implementing that remedial action.

o. A person who has remediated a site pursuant to the provisions of this section, who was liable for the cleanup and removal costs of that discharge pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 8 of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11g), and who remains liable for the discharge on that site due to a possibility that a remediation standard may change, undiscovered contamination may be found, or because an engineering control was used to remediate the discharge, shall maintain with the department a current address at which that person may be contacted in the event additional remediation needs to be performed at the site. The requirement to maintain the current address shall be made part of the conditions of the permit issued pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2009, c.60 (C.58:10C-19) and the final remediation document.

(cf: P.L. 2009, c.60, s.47)

36. Section 1 of P.L.1999, c.225 (C.58:29-8) is amended to read as follows:

1. There shall be appropriated each State fiscal year from the "[Highlands] Watershed Protection Fund , " created pursuant to section [19] 21 of P.L.2004, c.120 [(C.54:1-85)] (C.13:20-19), to each municipality within which any lands subject to the moratorium on the conveyance of watershed lands imposed pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by section 1 of P.L.1990, c.19, are located [an amount of $47 per acre of such lands] the municipality's pro rata share of the balance of the "Watershed Protection Fund" available, after the allocation to the Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund established pursuant to section 20 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.54:1-84) is made, based upon the number of acres subject to the moratorium on the conveyance of watershed lands located within the municipality. [Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, the per acre amount of watershed moratorium offset aid prescribed by this section shall be adjusted annually in direct proportion to the increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in the New York City area as reported by the United States Department of Labor. The adjustment shall become effective on July 1 of the year in which the adjustment is made.]

(cf: P.L.2004, c.120, s.82)

37. The following sections are repealed:

Section 19 of P.L.2004, c.89 (13:1D-147); and

Sections 1 through 19 and sections 22 through 43 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.).

38. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill repeals sections 1 through 19 and sections 22 through 43 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-1 et al.), the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act" ("Highlands act"). The sections to be repealed by this bill established the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council ("Highlands council"), detailed the components of the regional master plan to be developed by the Highlands council, and established a strict environmental permitting program in the Highlands preservation area.

This bill also amends those sections of statutory law that were amended by the Highlands act to provide for the various commissions and authorities in and near the Highlands Region to coordinate planning with the Highlands council. The bill deletes that language which is unnecessary as a result of the provisions of this bill to repeal various sections of the Highlands act.

This bill does not affect sections 63 through 71 of the Highlands act which amended the "State Planning Act" to incorporate coordination with regional entities into the State Development and Redevelopment Plan process.

In addition, this bill amends and renames the "Highlands Protection Fund" as the "Watershed Protection Fund" to continue the dedication of $12 million of the realty transfer fee revenue annually for 10 years, and $5 million annually thereafter, for the payment of watershed moratorium offset aid pursuant to P.L.1999, c.225 (C.58:29-8), and the funding of the "Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund" established in the Highlands act.

This bill amends P.L.1999, c.225 (C.58:29-8) to provide that the amount of the payment of watershed moratorium offset aid each year would be the municipality's pro rata share of the balance of the "Watershed Protection Fund," available after the allocation to the Pinelands Property Tax Assistance Fund is made, based upon the number of acres subject to the watershed moratorium located within the municipality.

This bill also amends section 8 of P.L.2005, c.178 (C.13:8C-38.2), which requires the State Agriculture Development Committee to prepare and issue periodic reports listing the farms preserved under the State development easement and fee simple acquisition programs and listing the farms receiving soil and water grants, by deleting the requirement to provide a copy of these reports to the Highlands Council.

This bill amends section 3 and repeals section 19 of P.L.2004, c.89 (the law concerning expedited State permits in smart growth areas) to reflect the repeal of the Highlands act by this bill.

Lastly, this bill makes technical amendments to update statutory