N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-21.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 7:7-21.3 - Issuance of emergency authorization; conditions

(a) The Department shall issue or deny an emergency authorization within 15 calendar days after receiving a request that meets the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:7-21.2. The Director of the Division of Land Use Regulation, or the Director's designee, shall provide this decision to the person who requested the emergency authorization verbally and, if the decision is to issue the emergency authorization, shall provide written confirmation within five working days thereafter.

(b) Within 20 calendar days after the verbal decision to issue an emergency authorization, the Department shall publish notice of the emergency authorization in the DEP Bulletin.

(c) The Department's written confirmation of its decision to issue the emergency authorization shall include:

1. A full description of the activities authorized under the emergency authorization;

2. The time frames within which the regulated activities authorized under the emergency authorization must be commenced and conducted as set forth in (d) below;

3. A requirement that the person conducting the regulated activities authorized under the emergency authorization provide regular updates of progress at the site;

4. Any limits or other criteria necessary to ensure compliance to the maximum extent practicable with all requirements of this chapter; and

5. A requirement to provide mitigation for impacts to special areas in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:7-9 and 17, as appropriate.

(d) The regulated activities authorized under the emergency authorization shall be commenced and conducted within the following timeframes:

1. Activities authorized under the emergency authorization shall be commenced within 30 calendar days after the Department's verbal decision is provided pursuant to (a) above, unless the Department establishes a different timeframe in accordance with (f) below. If the emergency activities are not commenced within 30 calendar days or by the date established under (f) below, as applicable, the emergency authorization is automatically void as of the 30th calendar day after the verbal approval or as of the date established in accordance with (f) below, as applicable;

2. Activities authorized under the emergency authorization, including any required restoration, shall be completed within 60 calendar days after the Department's verbal decision is provided in accordance with (a) above, unless the Department establishes a different timeframe in accordance with (f) below. If the regulated activities authorized under the emergency authorization are not completed within 60 calendar days or by the date established in accordance with (f) below, as applicable, the regulated activities shall cease until either a general permit authorization or individual permit is obtained, or another emergency authorization is obtained.

(e) The person to whom the emergency authorization is provided shall submit a complete application in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:7-23 for an authorization under a general permit or for an individual permit for the activities conducted under the emergency authorization within 90 calendar days after the Department's verbal decision is provided in accordance with (a) above, or by a different date established in accordance with (f) below, as applicable.

(f) The Department shall establish a time frame different from those set forth at (d) or (e) above where the applicant demonstrates that the time frame set forth at (d) or (e) cannot feasibly be met for all or a portion of the authorized activities or where the Department determines that a different time frame is necessary to facilitate the regulated activities.

(g) The person to whom the emergency authorization is provided shall conduct all activities authorized under the emergency authorization in accordance with all requirements that apply to that activity under this chapter to the maximum extent practicable.

(h) The general permit authorization or individual permit application submitted under (e) above shall, in addition to meeting the application requirements for the specific general permit authorization or individual permit, include:

1. A demonstration that the regulated activities conducted under the emergency authorization meet the requirements of this chapter, or an explanation as to why full compliance could not be achieved; and

2. "As-built" site plans, signed and sealed by an engineer, land surveyor, or architect, as appropriate, showing the regulated activities that were or are being conducted under the emergency authorization.

(i) Upon review of the application submitted under (e) above, the Department shall require design changes, restoration, and/or stabilization measures as necessary to ensure the requirements of this chapter are met to the maximum extent practicable.

(j) The Department may modify or terminate an emergency authorization at any time without prior notice if the Department determines that modification or termination is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and/or the environment.

(k) If the person to whom the emergency authorization was provided conducts any regulated activity not authorized under the emergency authorization and/or the general permit or individual permit obtained thereafter for the activities governed by the emergency authorization, such shall constitute a violation of this chapter subject to enforcement action under N.J.A.C. 7:7-29.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-21.3

Adopted by 47 N.J.R. 1392(a), effective 7/6/2015