The department shall annually certify to the State Comptroller, as soon as practicable after January first, and not later than February fifteenth, the names of all municipalities, corporations or private persons owing money to the State for the diversion of water during the preceding year, with the amounts so due.
The State Comptroller shall promptly notify said municipalities, water companies or persons of their indebtedness to the State, and if said amounts are not paid to the State Treasurer on or before July first of the same year, the State Comptroller shall certify to the Attorney-General for collection the names of the delinquents and the amounts due from each, and the Attorney-General shall take immediate steps to collect the same in the name of the State.
All sums received as herein provided shall be deposited to the credit of the State and deemed as part of the Environmental Services Fund. The Legislature shall annually appropriate an amount equivalent to the amount anticipated to be collected as sums charged under this section in support of the water management programs.
N.J.S. § 58:2-3