Current through L. 2024, c. 87.
Section 4:1C-3.2 - Shellfish aquaculture management unit, commercial farm, protections, entitleda. A shellfish aquaculture management unit that qualifies as a shellfish commercial farm, pursuant to P.L.2023, c.20 (C.4:1C-3.2 et al.), shall be entitled to the protections set forth in section 4 of P.L.2023, c.20 (C.4:1C-10a), but not for agricultural or horticultural activities that are not related to shellfish aquaculture unless the shellfish aquaculture management unit also qualifies as a commercial farm pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-3) for reasons other than shellfish aquaculture.b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any municipal or county ordinance, resolution, or regulation to the contrary, the owner or operator of a shellfish commercial farm that is located in an area in which, as of December 31, 1997 or thereafter, agriculture is a permitted use under the municipal zoning ordinance and is consistent with the municipal master plan, or that is in operation as of the effective date of P.L.2023, c.20 (C.4:1C-3.2 et al.) and is located in an area zoned for commercial or industrial use, or that is located in the coastal area, as designated pursuant to section 4 of P.L. 1973, c.185 (C.13:19-4), and is zoned for commercial or industrial use, or that is located on land under tidal waters that the shellfish commercial farm has the authority to use pursuant to a riparian grant or lease granted pursuant to R.S. 12:3-2 et seq. or a lease granted pursuant to R.S. 50:1-23 et seq., and that operates in conformance with agricultural management practices recommended by the committee and adopted pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), or whose specific operation or practice has been determined by the appropriate county board, or by the committee in a county where no county board exists, to constitute a generally accepted agricultural operation or practice, and that operates in conformance with all relevant federal or State statutes or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety shall be authorized to: (1) produce shellfish as described in the Standard Industrial Classification for shellfish farming or, after the operative date of the regulations adopted pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2003, c.157 (C.4:1C-9.1), as described in the corresponding classification under the North American Industry Classification System;(2) process and package the shellfish output of the shellfish commercial farm;(3) provide for the operation of a shellfish farm market, including the construction of a building and parking area in conformance with municipal standards;(4) control pests, predators, and diseases of shellfish;(5) conduct on-site disposal of organic waste on land included in the shellfish aquaculture management unit, excluding land currently flowed by tidal waters;(6) recycle shells on land included in the shellfish aquaculture management unit;(7) conduct agriculture-related educational and farm-based recreational activities, provided that the activities are related to marketing the shellfish output of the shellfish commercial farm; and(8) engage in any other agricultural activity as determined by the committee and adopted by rule or regulation pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).Added by L. 2023, c. 20, s. 3, eff. 3/13/2023.