As used in this act:
"Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
"Fee" means any fee, assessment or other charge imposed by the department pursuant to any law, rule or regulation for licenses, permits or other approvals, or for regulatory actions or services performed or provided by the department pursuant to federal or State law.
"Program" means any regulatory or other activity by the department, required or permitted by law, for which the department imposes a fee.
"Program costs or costs" means all direct and indirect costs incurred by the department in implementing a program for which a fee is assessed and collected.
N.J.S. § 13:1D-9.1