In designating an area of critical water supply concern, the department shall be required to demonstrate that the specific area is stressed to a degree which jeopardizes the integrity and viability of the water supply source or poses a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare. This designation shall conform to and satisfy the criteria of an area of critical water supply concern as defined in rules and regulations adopted by the department pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
Those specific areas previously designated by the department as water supply critical and margin areas, considered as Depleted or Threatened Zones, respectively, prior to the effective date of P.L. 1993, c.202 shall be considered to be areas of critical water supply concern for the purposes 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.).
N.J.S. § 58:1A-6