N.J. Admin. Code § 7:13-15.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:13-15.2 - Pre-application conference

(a) A pre-application conference is a meeting between the Department and a prospective applicant to discuss the applicant's project. An applicant may request a pre-application conference for any project. A pre-application conference is highly recommended for large and/or complicated projects as it enables the Department to inform an applicant of the application procedures and standards that will apply to the project. There is no fee for a pre-application conference.

(b) A pre-application conference can be requested by telephone, electronic mail or by writing to the address listed at 7:13-1.1(f). Such a request shall be directed to the engineering supervisor or review engineer responsible for the county wherein the project is located and shall include a description of the project.

(c) Prior to scheduling a pre-application conference, the Department shall require the applicant to submit a set of drawings depicting the proposed development and an application report, as described at 7:13-15.3, if the Department determines that such information is necessary to properly advise the applicant regarding the proposed project and application procedures. The information contained in an application report enables the Department to be better prepared for a pre-application conference, which often saves the applicant and the Department both time and effort.

(d) At a pre-application conference, Department staff will discuss various requirements of this chapter as they relate to a project and may offer guidance to assist the applicant. However, no discussion or guidance offered at a pre-application conference shall compel the Department to approve or deny an application.

(e) If a project requires approvals from multiple Department programs, the applicant is advised to contact the Office of Pollution Prevention and Right to Know at (609) 292-3600 before filing an application under this chapter. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Permit Coordination can help the applicant coordinate the various applications.

(f) If an applicant has reason to believe that construction is proposed in freshwater wetlands or transition areas, the Department encourages the applicant to obtain a freshwater wetlands letter of interpretation under the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act rules at N.J.A.C. 7:7A-8 prior to the pre-application conference.

(g) Workload permitting, the Department shall hold a pre-application conference within three weeks of receiving a request that complies with this section. The Department is not obligated to hold a pre-application conference with a prospective applicant if the Department determines that the questions raised can be adequately addressed by telephone.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:13-15.2