requiringnot
not specified 时间:2021-02-25 阅读:()
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
1ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONCOMMISSIONER'SOFFICEOFFICEOFLEGALAFFAIRSWaiverofDepartmentRulesProposedNewRules:N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1BAuthorizedby:BobMartin,Commissioner,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionAuthority:N.
J.
S.
A.
12:5-3,13:1B-1etseq.
,13:1B-15.
4etseq.
,13:1B-15.
12aetseq.
,13:1B-15.
100etseq.
,13:1B-15.
108etseq.
,13:1B-15.
128etseq.
,13:1B-15.
151etseq.
,13:1B-30etseq.
,13:1D-1etseq.
,13:1D-29etseq,13:1D-35etseq.
,13:1D-124,13:1D-125etseq.
,13:1D-134etseq.
,13:1E-1etseq.
,13:1E-100etseq.
,13:1F-1etseq.
,13:1G-1etseq.
,13:1H-1etseq,13:1H-8etseq.
,13:1K-1etseq.
,13:1K-6etseq.
,13:1K-19etseq.
,13:1L·1etseq.
,13:8-30etseq.
,13:8A-letseq.
,13:8A-19etseq.
,13:8A-35etseq.
,13:8C-letseq.
,13:9A-1etseq.
,13:9B-1etseq.
,13:13A-letseq.
,13:19-1etseq.
,13:20-1etseq.
,23:1-1etseq.
,23:2A-1etseq.
,23:2B·14,26:2C-letseq.
,26:2C-8etseq.
,26:2C-8.
1through26:2C-8.
5,26:2C-8.
11,26:2C-9.
2,26:2C-9.
5,26:2C-37etseq.
26:2C-45etseq.
,26:2D-1etseq.
,26:2D-21,26:2D-70etseq.
,26:3A2-21etseq.
,34:5A-1etseq.
,39:3-33.
1,39:8-61,40:55D-1etseq.
,40:55D-93etseq.
,40A:11-1etseq.
,45:1-9,45:5AA·1etseq.
,45:15C·1etseq.
,47:1A-1etseq.
,48:3-1etseq.
,48:13A-letseq.
,48:13A-7.
1etseq.
,50:1-1etseq.
,50:1-5,50:1-5etseq.
,50:1-23,50:1-27,50:2-7through50:2-12,50:3-1etseq.
,52:14B-3,52:14B-4,52:14B-4(b),52:27D-222through52:27D-228,54:4-3.
63etseq.
,54:4-23.
1etseq.
,54:10A-5.
31,54:10A-5.
32,54:32B-8.
36,58:1A-1etseq.
,58:1B-1etseq.
,58:1B-7,58:2-1etseq.
,58:4-1etseq.
,58:4A-4etseq.
,58:4A-4.
1etseq.
,58:10-23.
11,58:10-23.
11etseq.
,58:10-23.
11aetseq.
,58:10-23.
16,58:10-23.
20through58:10-23.
24,58:10-46through58:10-50,58:10A-1etseq.
,58:10-16,58:10A-21etseq.
,58:10B-1etseq.
,58:10B-1through58:10B-4,58:10B-8,58:10B-11through58:10B-13,58:10B-17.
1,58:10B-20,58:10B·26,58:10B-28,58:10B-29,58:10B-31,58:10C-letseq.
,58:11-9.
1etseq.
,58:11-23etseq.
,58:11-49through58:11-58,58:11-49etTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
2seq.
,58:11-59etseq.
,58:11-64etseq.
,58:11A-1etseq.
,58:12A-letseq.
,58:12A-22through58:12A-25,58:12A-26etseq.
,58:16A-50etseq.
,58:23.
11b,58:23.
l1e2,58:23.
l1f,58:23.
11g,58:23.
16,58:24-1etseq.
,58:25-23etseq.
and58:29-1etseq.
CalendarReference:SeeSummarybelowforexplanationofexceptiontocalendarrequirement.
DEPDocketNumber:03-11-02ProposalNumber:PRN2011-ApublichearingconcerningthisproposalwillbeheldonThursday,April14,2011at3:00P.
M.
at:NewJerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionPublicHearingRoom401EastStateStreetTrenton,NJ08060SubmitwrittencommentsbyMay6,2011,to:GaryJ.
Brower,Esq.
OfficeofLegalAffairsAttn:DEPDocketNumber:03-11-02NJDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection401EastStateStreet,Floor4P.
O.
Box402Trenton,NJ08625-0402TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(Department)requeststhatcommenterssubmitcommentsonCDorDVDaswellasonpaperinordertofacilitateincorporationofsubmittedcommentsintoitscomment-responsedocument.
Forthispurpose,thecommentsonCDorDVDshouldnotbeaccess-restricted(lockedorread-THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
3only).
TheDepartmentprefersMicrosoftWord6.
0orabove.
MacIntoshformatsshouldnotbeused.
SubmissionofaCDorDVDisnotarequirement.
EachcommentshouldbeidentifiedbytheapplicableN.
J.
A.
C.
citation,withthecommenter'snameandaffiliationfollowingthecomment.
TheruleproposalcanbefoundattheDepartment'swebsite(www.
nj.
gov/dep).
Theagencyproposalfollows:SummaryAstheDepartmenthasprovideda60-daycommentperiodonthisnoticeofproposal,thisnoticeisexceptedfromtherulemakingcalendarrequirementpursuanttoN.
J.
A.
C.
1:30-3.
3(a)5.
TheDepartmentproposesnewN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B,WaiverofDepartmentRules,toestablishtheconditionsandproceduresfortheDepartmenttoapprovewaiversfromstrictcompliancewithitsruleswhereappropriatetoaddresssituationswhererulesconflict,oraruleisundulyburdensomeinspecificapplication,oranetenvironmentalbenefitwouldberealized,orapublicemergencyexists.
TheDepartmentpromulgatesrulestomeetitsstatutoryobligationsandtosatisfyitscoremissionsofprotectingtheair,waters,land,andnaturalandhistoricresourcesoftheStatetoensurecontinuedpublicbenefit.
ThesecoremissionsaretobeadvancedthrougheffectiveandbalancedimplementationandenforcementofenvironmentalrulestoprotecttheseresourcesandthehealthandsafetyofNewJersey'sresidentsandvisitors.
However,itisapparentthat,incertainlimitedcircumstances,strictcompliancewitharuleorprovisionofarulecanleadtoanunreasonable,unfair,orunintendedresult,whichcanadverselyaffectaprospectiveapplicant,thepublic,and/ortheenvironment.
Inordertoprevent,oratleastminimize,suchadverseresults,GovernorChristiearticulatedasetof"CommonSensePrinciples"inExecutiveOrderNo.
2(2010).
Throughthisexecutiveorder,theGovernordirectedallStateagenciestoadoptrulesthatallowforwaiversofTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
4rulesthateitherconflictorareundulyburdensome.
AccordingtoExecutiveOrderNo.
2,anagencycanonlywaivethestrictcompliancewitharegulationifthewaiverwouldnotbeinconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheagency.
ThisCommonSensePrincipleconcerningwaiversharmonizeswellwithtwootherCommonSensePrinciplesthattheGovernorfurtherarticulatedinExecutiveOrderNo.
2.
First,theGovernordirectedallagenciestotakeactiontocultivateanapproachtoregulationsthatvaluesperformance-basedoutcomesandcompliance.
Forexample,undertheproposedrulesforwaiversthatwouldyieldanetenvironmentalbenefit,theremightbeopportunitytosatisfyrequirementsusingnewtechnologyornewornontraditionalmethodsand/ormaterialsorotherinnovativeoptions.
Second,theGovernordirectedallagenciestodraftallproposedrulesandprocessessothattheypromotetransparencyandpredictabilityregardingregulatoryactivity,consistencyofbusinessregulationwithintheState,appropriateflexibility,andareasonablebalancebetweentheunderlyingregulatoryobjectivesandtheburdensimposedbytheregulatoryactivity.
WiththeserulesforwaiverstheDepartmentispromotingboththetransparencyandpredictabilitythattheGovernormandated,aswellastheflexibilityneededtoobtaintheappropriatebalancebetweentheunderlyingregulatoryobjectivesandtheburdensimposedbytheregulatoryactivity.
SUBCHAPTER1.
GENERALPROVISIONSSubchapter1setsforththepurposeandapplicabilityoftherules;definitions;andseverability.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
1PurposeandapplicabilityThepurposeofthechapteristoestablishthelimitedcircumstancesinwhichtheDepartmentwillwaivestrictcompliancewithanyofitsrules.
Whenpromulgatingitsrules,theDepartmentcannotanticipateeverycircumstanceorpersonalhardshipthatmayariseinrelationtotheimplementationofthoserules.
TheDepartmentrecognizesthatsituationsarisewhenstrictcompliancewithaprovisionofarulecaninadvertentlybeTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
5undulyburdensome,preventfullcompliancewithanotherrule,orperhapsstandinthewayofaccomplishinganenvironmentallybeneficialresultthatsafeguardsthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.
Inspecificandinfrequentcases,waivingcompliancewithagivenrulecouldhelpmoreeffectivelyaccomplishtheDepartment'scoremissionsthanrequiringadherencewitheveryaspectofaparticularstandardorrequirement.
TheDepartmentdoesnotintendtousethischaptertowaivestrictcompliancewithagivenrulerepeatedlyorformultiplepersonssuchthatuseofawaiverwouldbecomeawaytoroutinelyavoidcompliancewiththatrule.
NorwilltheseproposedruleslimittheuseoravailabilityofanyotherDepartmentrulethatprovidesanexception,variance,orwaiverfromstrictcompliance,ortheavailabilityofemergencyauthorizations.
TheruleswillprovideanadditionalmeansofrelieffromstrictcompliancewithDepartmentruleswhenappropriate.
Importantly,theseproposedruleswillnotentitleanypersonorentitytoawaivernorwilltheyobligetheDepartmenttowaivearuleinanysituationorforanyapplicant.
TheproposedrulesestablishcriteriatoenabletheDepartmenttoapprovewaiversincertaincircumstancesconsistentwithcarryingoutitscoremissionstomaintainandprotecttheenvironmentandprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.
TheproposedruleswillnotvestentitiestowhichtheDepartmenthasdelegatedanyauthoritytomakepermitdecisionsortakeotheractionsonitsbehalfwiththeauthoritytowaiveanyDepartmentrule.
WaiversunderthischaptershallbedeterminedandapprovedonlybytheDepartment.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
2DefinitionsProposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
2setsforthdefinitionsforseveraltermsusedinthechapter.
Thetermsforwhichdefinitionsareproposedinclude"waiver,"andthetermsusedatN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(a)thatdescribethesituationsinwhichtheDepartmentwillconsiderwaivingarule,specifically,"conflictingrules,""undulyburdensome,""netenvironmentalbenefit,"and"publicemergency.
"SeediscussionofproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1below.
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
6N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
3SeverabilityProposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
3providesthatifacourtdeterminesthataportionofthischapterisinvalidorunconstitutional,theremainderofthechaptershallnotbeaffected.
SUBCHAPTER2.
WAIVERSubchapter2establishesthesituationsinwhichawaiverwillbeconsideredandidentifiestheDepartmentrulesthatcannotbeconsideredforawaiverunderthischapter;thecriteriatheDepartmentwillevaluateindeterminingwhethertoapproveawaiver;publicnoticerequirementsforwaivers;therequirementsfordocumentingthewaiverdecision;conditionsthatmaybeattachedtoawaiverwhenissued;andlimitationsonthescopeandapplicabilityofanygivenwaiverwhenissued.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1BasisforawaiverWaiversunderthischapterwillbeprospectiveonly.
Theywilladdressproposed,futureactivitiesratherthanregulatedactivitiesthathavealreadytakenplace,withorwithoutpriorDepartmentauthorization.
InorderfortheDepartmenttowaiveitsrules,itmustdeterminethatatleastoneoffoursituationsexists.
AwaiverwillbeconsiderediftwoormoreDepartmentrules,oraDepartmentruleandtheruleofanotherStateagencyoraFederalagencyconflictsoastomakecompliancewithbothrulesimpossibleorimpracticable.
Forexample,oneDepartmentrulemayrequirearegulatedpersonorentitytotakeacertainaction,whileanotherDepartmentrule(underthesameoranotherchapter)maypreventthatpersonorentityfromundertakingtherequiredaction.
IncaseswheretheDepartment'sTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
7requirementsareinopposition,theseruleswillenabletheDepartmenttoevaluatewhichrequirementmightbewaivedinordertobestpreservepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment.
TheDepartmentwillconsiderawaiverwhenaprospectiveapplicantassertsthatstrictcompliancewitharulewouldbeundulyburdensomebecauseitimposesactual,exceptionalhardshiporexcessivecostinrelationtoanalternativemeasureofcompliancethatachievescomparableorgreaterbenefits.
Awaiverofstrictcompliancemightbeappropriatewherethewaivercouldresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit.
Thequantitativeorqualitativebenefittoanaturalresourceorrelatedenvironmentalgoodfromwaivingarulehastosubstantiallyoutweighanydetrimenttotheresourceorenvironmentalgoodresultingfromthewaiver.
Inaddition,therewillhavetobeanadequategeographicorresourcenexusbetweentheenvironmentaloffset,i.
e.
,thequantitativeorqualitativeenvironmentalimprovementresultingfromthewaiver,andtheresourceorgoodprotectedbytherulebeingwaived.
Ifthenetenvironmentalbenefitincludesmitigation,themitigationmustexceedwhatwouldhavebeenrequiredunderthewaivedrule.
Finally,awaivermightbeappropriatewhenapublicemergencyhasbeendeclaredbyaFederalorStateofficial,ifdoingsobestensuresprotectionofthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment.
NoteveryDepartmentrulecanbeconsideredforawaiverundertheseproposedrules.
ProposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(b)liststheDepartmentrulesthatcannotbewaived.
TheDepartment'srulesimplementawidevarietyofstatutorymandates,andincertaincasestheDepartment'sprogramsincludedelegationsofFederalauthority.
ThelistofrulesthatcannotbewaivedunderthischapterincludesruleswheretheapprovalofawaiverwouldviolateeitheraconditionofaFederaldelegation,wouldviolateaspecificstatutorydutyassignedtotheDepartmentunderStatestatuteorwouldbeinconsistentwiththeDepartment'scoremissionofprotectinghumanhealthandsafety.
ThelistalsoincludesapprovalsforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedeithertheexistingprogramrulesalreadyprovideanadequatewaiverprocessortheregulatoryrequirementisnotTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
8sufficientlyburdensometojustifyDepartmentconsiderationofwaiverrequests(forexample,boat,hunting,fishingandtrappinglicenses).
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
2WaiverevaluationcriteriaIndeterminingwhetherawaivershouldbeapproved,theDepartmentwillconsidertheextenttowhichthecriteriaatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
2(a)aremet.
Thecriteriaaddresswhether(1)thepublichasbeenprovidednoticethatawaiverisbeingconsidered,(2)theDepartmenthasbeenprovidedsufficientinformationtosupportawaiver,(3)circumstancessupporttheneedforawaiver,(4)thepersonseekingawaiverhascausedorcontributedtothecircumstancesthatthepersonassertshaveresultedinarulebeingundulyburdensome,(5)thereisanetenvironmentalbenefitfromthewaiver,including,asappropriate,theimpactofthewaiverontheremediationorredevelopmentofacontaminatedsiteorontheexpansionofanexistingdevelopment,(6)theconsistencyoftheactivitytobeauthorizedunderthewaiverwiththepurposesandobjectivesofapplicablestatutoryrequirements,(7)consistencyofthewaiverwiththeDepartment'scoremissionstomaintain,protect,andenhancetheState'snaturalresourcesandprotectpublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment,and(8)thewaiverwouldresultinareasonableandeffectiveresponsetoapublicemergency.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
3NoticeofthewaiverProvisionofpublicnoticeofpermitapplicationsandotherDepartmentactionsismandatoryundermostoftheDepartment'senablingstatutes.
PublicnoticeisalsokeytopromotingtransparencyandpredictabilityofagencyrulesandprocessesinconformancewithExecutiveOrderNo.
2.
AnumberoftheDepartment'sregulatoryprogramsrequirethepersonorentityseekingapprovalofaparticularproject,action,orotherregulatedactivitytoprovidepublicnotice.
Accordingly,proposedN.
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A.
C.
7:1B-2.
3(a)requiresapersonrequestingawaivertoincludenoticeofthewaiverrequestinanypublicnoticetheTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
9personisotherwiserequiredtoprovide.
Inadditiontothepublicnoticethewaiverapplicantwouldprovide,theDepartmentunderproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
3(b)1willpublishintheDEPBulletinnoticeofitsdeterminationtoconsiderawaiver.
Thereafter,theDepartmentwillpublishintheDEPBulletinnoticeofitsdecisiononthewaiver.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
4RulewaiverandlimitationsTheDepartmentwilldocumenteachofitswaiverdecisionsinwritingtothepersontowhomthewaiverwillapply.
AssetforthatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
4(a),thewaiverdecisionwillspecifythelocationtowhichthewaiverapplies,theruleprovisionstowhichitapplies,andthebasisfortheapproval(ordenial,shouldthewaivernotmeetthestandardsofthisproposedchapter).
Thewrittendecisionwillspecifytheduration,scope,andextentofthewaiver,andmaycontainconditionsnecessarytoprotectnaturalresourcesand/orthepublichealth,safetyandwelfare,andtheenvironment.
Conditionsmayinclude,forexample,monitoringandreportingofimpactsofactivitiesapprovedunderthewaiver,andconditionsnecessarytoensurethatenvironmentaloffsetsareimplementedinordertorealizeanetenvironmentalbenefit.
Inaddition,thewrittenwaiverdecisionwillexplainanyapplicableproceduralrulesgoverningduration,renewal,revocability,andtransferthatapplytothewaiverbecausetheyapplytoacorrespondingpermitorauthorization.
Thewaiverdecisionwillgivenoticethatthewaivermayberevokedfornoncompliancewithanyconditionorforsubmittaloffalseorinaccurateinformation.
Thewrittenwaiverdecisionwillalsogivenoticethatthepersontowhomitapplieswillbesubjecttoenforcementfornoncompliancewiththewaiveranditsconditions.
AnywaiverdecisionthattheDepartmentissuesundertheseproposedruleswillbesubjecttothelimitationssetoutatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
4(b).
Thelimitationswillensurethattheissuedwaiverisconsistentwiththepurposeoftheseproposedrulestoallowdiscrete,circumscribedwaiversofspecificDepartmentruleswheresuchawaiverisdeterminednecessaryinordertoaddressarulesconflict,toavoidarulebeingundulyTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
10burdensome,toenableanenvironmentalbenefit,orbecausethereisapublicemergency.
Accordingly,awaiverundertheseproposedruleswillbeawaiveronlyoftheapplicationoftheparticularruleprovisionidentifiedinthewrittenwaiverdecision,anditwillnotbeawaiverofthatrulegenerallyorofanyprovisionofanyotherrulenotspecifiedinthewaiverdecision.
Norwillthewaiverconstituteapprovalofanyactivityotherthanthatapprovedunderthewaiver,whetheratthelocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiveroranyotherlocation.
Thewaiverwillbevalidonlyastothepersonidentifiedinthewaiver,ortotheparticularprojectorlocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiver,unlessapplicableDepartmentprogramrulesprovideotherwise.
Thewaiverwillnotbeautomaticallyrenewable,unlessthewaiverorapplicableDepartmentprogramrulessoprovide.
Thewaiverwillnotconstituteadefensetoanenforcementactionforanyviolationthatpredatesthewaiver,anditwillnotjustifyorexcusepriorviolations.
Thewaivercould,however,beusedtoresolveacontestedcaseorotherdispute.
SocialImpactTheproposednewruleswillallowtheDepartmenttowaivestrictcompliancewithprovisionsoftheDepartment'srulesinlimitedcasesinamannerwhichisanticipatedtoresultinapositivesocialimpact.
WhilemanyoftheDepartment'srulesalreadycontainprovisionstoallowtheDepartmenttoreactinemergencysituationswherestrictcompliancewiththenormalpermitting/reviewprocess,forexample,wouldnotallowtimelyresponse,therulesprovideassurancethattheDepartmentwillbeabletorespondtosituationsthatmayariseunderanyofitsruleswhereapublicemergencyexists.
TherulesadditionallyallowtheDepartmenttoapprovewaiversofstrictcomplianceinappropriatecircumstanceswherenecessarytoavoidunreasonable,unfairorunintendedresults,whileassuringcontinuedprotectionofpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment.
Inthismanner,theruleswillallowtheDepartmenttoallowappropriateTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
11activitiestooccur,but,throughmechanismssuchasthespecificprohibitionofanywaiverofanarrativeornumericstandardprotectiveofhumanhealth,theruleswillalsoassurethatpublicwatersuppliesandpublichealthcontinuetobeprotectedandthatanyadverseimpactsresultingfromthewaiversareminimized.
EconomicImpactTheDepartmentanticipatesthattheproposednewruleswillhaveapositiveeconomicimpact,althoughitisnotpossibletoquantifytheeconomicresultsoffuturewaiverapplicationsandpotentialapprovalsofwaiverfromstrictcompliance.
TheproposednewruleswillallowtheDepartmenttoreviewcasestodeterminewhereawaiverofstrictcompliancewithcertainDepartmentrulerequirementsisappropriatetoavoidunreasonable,unfairorunintendedresults,whileassuringcontinuedprotectionofpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment.
Theabilitytoobtainrelieffromthestrictapplicationofarequirementthatqualifiesforconsiderationforwaiverundertherulesisanticipatedtoresultinapositiveeconomicimpactinsomecasesbyallowingappropriateactivitieswhichwouldnototherwisebeallowedtoproceedandotheractivitiestobeconductedatanincreasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Positiveeconomicimpactsfromjobscreatedtocarryouttheactivity,purchaseofgoodsutilizedintheactivity,orincreasedoperationalefficiencywilllikelyresult.
Dependingupontherequirementwhichissoughttobewaivedandthebasisuponwhichthewaiverisrequested,apersonseekingawaiverfromtheDepartmentmayincurcostsrelatedtodevelopmentofinformationthepersonwishestoprovidetotheDepartmentinsupportofthewaiverrequestor,inthecaseofwaiverrequestsbaseduponnetenvironmentalimpact,inprovidingproposedmitigationorotherenvironmentalbenefitstooffsetanynegativeenvironmentalimpactresultingfromapprovalofarequestedwaiverofstrictcompliance.
TheexactamountofanysuchcostwilldependuponthetypeandsizeofprojectinvolvedandthespecificrequirementfromwhichTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
12waiverissought.
However,asrequestofawaiverispurelyvoluntary,theDepartmentanticipatesthatawaiverrequestwillonlybemadewhenthepersonrequestingthewaiverhasdeterminedthataneteconomicorotherbenefitwillbeachievedbyobtainingthewaiverofstrictcompliance,andthattheneteconomicorotherbenefittobeachievedoutweighsanycostassociatedwithseekingthewaiver,includingcostsrelatedtoprovisionofalternateenvironmentalbenefitstooffsetanyimpactsfromthewaiverofstrictcompliance.
Accordingly,theDepartmentanticipatesthattheproposednewruleswillresultinanoverallpositiveeconomicimpact.
EnvironmentalImpactTheruleswouldallowtheDepartmenttowaivestrictcompliancewithsomeprovisionsoftheDepartment'srules,whichwillallowsomeactivitiestoproceedthatwouldotherwisenotbeallowed,withcorrespondingnegativeenvironmentalimpacts.
However,theproposednewruleswillapplyonlyinlimitedcircumstancesandcontainlimitationsdesignedtoassurethatunacceptableenvironmentalandpublichealthimpactsdonotoccur.
TheDepartmentwillonlyconsiderarequestforawaiverofstrictcomplianceifoneoffourspecifiedconditionsispresent.
Toqualifyforconsiderationforawaiver,theDepartmentmustbeabletodeterminethattherequirementsoughttobewaivedconflictswithanotherDepartmentorotherStateorFederalagencyrule,applicationoftheruleinthespecificcircumstancespresentwouldbeundulyburdensome(definedtoincludeonlyactual,exceptionalhardship),therewouldbeanetenvironmentalbenefitachievedthroughtheapprovalofthewaiverorthereisapublicemergencythatmustbeaddressed.
Evenwhenoneofthosefoureligibilityrequirementsispresent,therulesspecificallyprohibitwaiversofcertainstandardsandrequirements,includingspecificrequirementsordutiesimposedbyStatestatuteorunderFederalstatuteorregulation.
Alsoprohibitediswaiverofnumericornarrativestandardsprotectiveofhumanhealth.
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
13Further,therulescontaincriteriaatproposedN.
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A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1thatwillbeconsideredbytheDepartmentindeterminingifstrictcomplianceshouldbewaived,includingfactorssuchaswhetherawaivertoallowtheactivitytoproceedwouldbeconsistentwiththepurposesandobjectivesofallapplicablestatutoryrequirements.
ThelimitedbasesforwaivercontainedatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(a),thelimitationsonthetypesofrulesthatmaybeconsideredforwaiverspecifiedatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(b),andthecriteriatobeconsideredintheDepartment'sdeterminationastowhethertoapproveordenyawaiverrequestspecifiedatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
2.
2,inconjunctionwiththeoverarchingrequirementofproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
1(a)thatanywaiverofstrictcompliancemustbeconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheDepartmenttomaintain,protectandenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment,willassurethatwaiversareapprovedonlyinlimited,appropriatecircumstancesandthatanyadverseenvironmentalimpactsareminimized.
Inadditiontosituationswherelimitedadverseenvironmentalimpactsmaybeallowedtooccur,therulesadditionallyallowtheDepartmenttoconsiderwaiverofstandardsnotspecificallyprecludedunderproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(b)insituationswherewaiverofstrictcompliancewiththespecificstandardwillresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit.
WherethisisthebasisforapprovalofawaiverofstrictcompliancewithaDepartmentrule,apositiveenvironmentalimpactwilloccur.
TheDepartmentanticipatesthatanynegativeenvironmentalimpactfromapprovalsofwaiversbaseduponconflictsbetweenrules,orarulebeingundulyburdensomeorwhennecessitatedbypublicemergencywillbepartiallyoffsetbypositiveenvironmentalimpactsfromwaiversapprovedbaseduponnetenvironmentalbenefitandthehumanhealthandsafetyconcernsaddressedinsituationsofpublicemergency.
FederalStandardsStatementExecutiveOrderNo.
27(1994)andN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-1etseq.
(P.
L.
1995c.
65)requireStateagencieswhichadopt,readoptoramendStateregulationsthatexceedanyTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
14FederalstandardsorrequirementstoincludeintherulemakingdocumentaFederalstandardsanalysis.
Theproposednewrulesdonotimposeanynewstandards.
Instead,therulessimplyprovideamechanismfortheconsiderationofrelaxationofstandardsintheDepartment'sexistingrulesinappropriatecircumstances.
Accordingly,nothinginthisproposednewruleexceedsanyFederalstandardsorrequirements.
TheproposednewruleswillapplytoDepartmentrulesthatareinsomecasessubjecttoFederalstandardsorrequirementsandinothercasesbasedentirelyuponStatestatutoryauthority.
AnanalysisoftheFederalstandardsapplicabletoeachofthoserulesispresenteduponreadoptionoramendmentofeachofthoseindividualrulechapters.
Theproposedrulesspecificallyprovidethatnowaiverwillbeapprovedinaccordancewiththisproposednewchapterofaspecificrequirementof,oraspecificdutyimposedby,aFederalstatuteorregulation,unlessthatstatuteorregulationprovidesforsuchawaiver.
Further,waiversareprecludedofstandardscontainedinaFederallydelegated,authorized,orassumedprogramwherethewaiverwouldnotbeconsistentwithNewJersey'sdelegation,authorization,orassumptionofauthoritypursuanttothatFederalprogram.
Accordingly,theproposedrulesareconsistentwithanyFederalstatuteorregulationapplicabletoanyoftheaffectedDepartmentprogramrules.
BecausetheproposedrulesdonotincludestandardsthatexceedanyapplicableFederalstandardorrequirementandareconsistentwithanyapplicableFederalwaiverstandards,nofurtheranalysisisrequiredunderExecutiveOrderNo.
27(1994)andN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-1etseq.
JobsImpactAsindicatedintheEconomicImpactanalysis,theDepartmentanticipatesthattheproposedruleswillallowcertainactivitiesthatotherwisewouldnotbeapprovableunderthestricttermsoftheDepartment'srulestoproceedandmayallowotheractivitiesthatwouldbelimitedbyaspecificprovisionoftheDepartment'srulestoproceedatanTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
15increasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Wherethisisthecase,therulesmayprovideincreasedjobopportunitiesinfieldsrelatedtotheactivityincludingconstruction,professionalservicessuchasengineeringandsurveying,andindustriesthatsupplytheseactivities,suchasbuildingsupplies.
Therulesmayadditionallyprovidesomeincreaseinjobsinprofessionsthatcouldbeinvolvedinmakingarequestforawaiveranddevelopingsupportinginformation,suchaslegalprofessionalsandaccountants,biologistsorothersretainedtodevelopinformationdemonstratinganactual,exceptionalhardshipthatwouldresultfromthestrictapplicationofaruleprovisionorthataproposedwaiverwouldresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit.
WhiletheDepartmentanticipatesthattherulewillhaveamodestpositivejobsimpact,asthecircumstanceswhereawaiverwillbeapprovedareintentionallylimitedtoassurethatanyappropriateactivitiesareallowedtooccurconsistentwithmaintenance,protectionandenhancementofNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment,itisnotanticipatedthattherewillbeasignificantimpactonjobs.
AgricultureIndustryImpactTheproposednewrulesdonotimposeanynewstandardsapplicabletoanyactivity,includingagriculturaloperations.
Instead,therulesprovideamechanismfortheconsiderationofawaiverfromstrictcompliancewithanyDepartmentruleinappropriatecircumstances.
ManyoftheDepartment'srulesprovideexemptionsforagriculturaloperations.
However,theproposedruleswillprovideagriculturaloperationsthataresubjecttoDepartmentruleswithamechanismtoseekwaiverofrequirementsapplicabletotheminappropriatecircumstances.
Accordingly,anyimpactontheagriculturalindustryisanticipatedtobepositive.
RegulatoryFlexibilityAnalysisTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
16InaccordancewiththeNewJerseyRegulatoryFlexibilityAct,N.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-16etseq.
,theDepartmenthasdeterminedthatsomeofthosethatmaybeaffectedbytheproposednewrulesmaybe"smallbusinesses"asdefinedintheAct.
Therules'compliancerequirementsaredescribedinthesummaryaboveandthecostsofcompliancearediscussedintheEconomicImpactStatementabove.
Asindicatedabove,theproposednewrulesdonotimposeanynewstandardsapplicabletoanyactivity,whetherthatactivityisconductedbyanindividual,alargecorporationorasmallbusiness.
Instead,therulesprovideamechanismfortheconsiderationofrelaxationofstandardsintheDepartment'sexistingrulesinappropriatecircumstances.
Dependingupontherequirementwhichissoughttobewaivedandthebasisuponwhichthewaiverisrequested,asmallbusinessseekingawaiverfromtheDepartmentmaydecidetoretainprofessionalassistancetodevelopinformationthesmallbusinesswishestoprovidetotheDepartmentinsupportofthewaiverrequest,forexample,ifthewaiversoughtisofatechnicalnature,suchasawaiverfromanengineeringstandard.
Similarly,professionalssuchasaccountantsmayberetainedtosupportawaiverrequestbaseduponunduehardship.
However,retentionofprofessionalassistanceisnotrequired.
Ifthesmallbusinessdiddeterminetoretainprofessionalassistance,thecostinvolvedwillvarydependinguponthetypeandsizeofprojectinvolved,andthespecificrequirementfromwhichwaiverissought.
Accordingly,anyimpactonsmallbusinessesisanticipatedtobepositive.
Therefore,theDepartmentdoesnotbelieveitwouldbeappropriatetoprovideanydifferingstandardforapprovalofawaiverthatwouldbeapplicabletosmallbusinesses.
SmartGrowthImpactExecutiveOrderNo.
4(2002)requiresStateagenciesthatadopt,amendorrepealTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
17StateregulationstoincludeintherulemakingdocumentaSmartGrowthImpactstatementthatdescribestheimpactoftheproposedruleontheachievementofsmartgrowthandimplementationoftheStateDevelopmentandRedevelopmentPlan(StatePlan).
TheproposednewrulesareconsistentwithStatePlanningGoals2,3and4.
StatePlanningGoal2:ConserveTheState'sNaturalResourcesandSystems,providesthattheState'snaturalresources(includingrivers,freshandsaltwaterwetlands,habitatsofuniquefloraandfauna)havesignificantintrinsicvalueascriticalelementsoftheState'squalityoflife.
TheimplementingstrategycallsforconservingtheState'snaturalresources.
StatePlanningGoal3,PromoteBeneficialEconomicGrowth,DevelopmentandRenewalforAllResidentsofNewJersey,providesthatsociallyandecologicallybeneficialeconomicgrowthistobepromotedasisgrowthinlocationsandwaysthatarebothfiscallyandenvironmentallysound.
Goal4ProtecttheEnvironment,PreventandCleanUpPollution,providesthat"Aclean,safeandattractiveenvironmentisessentialtoassuringthehealthofourcitizens.
Sustainablesuppliesofcleanwater,cleanairandanabundanceofopenspaceandrecreationalopportunitiesalsowillassureasustainableeconomy.
"Theimplementingstrategyisto"Protecttheenvironmentbyplanningforgrowthincompactforms,atlocationsanddensitiesofusethatmakeefficientuseofexistingandplannedinfrastructureandbyincreasinginfrastructurecapacitiesandgrowthpotentialinareaswheredevelopmentwillnotdamagewaterresources,criticalhabitatsorimportantforests…"TheproposednewrulesareintendedtoallowtheDepartmenttowaivestrictcompliancewithstandardscontainedinanyoftheDepartment'srulesinappropriatecircumstanceswhereawaiverofstrictcomplianceisappropriatetoavoidunreasonable,unfairorunintendedresults,thuspotentiallyencouragingeconomicdevelopment.
OneofthecriteriathatwillbeconsideredbytheDepartmentindeterminingwhethertoapproveawaiverrequestistheimpactofthewaiverontheremediationandredevelopmentofaTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
18contaminatedsite,orontheexpansionofanexistingdevelopment.
However,consistentwiththelimitationsinGoal3thateconomicgrowthbeenvironmentallysound,therulescontainlimitationsthatassureanyrelaxationallowedbyapprovalofawaiverwillbeconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheDepartmenttomaintain,protectandenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment,thusassuringthegoalsincorporatedinGoals2and4continuetobeachievedbytheDepartment'sotherrules.
Further,assummarizedintheEnvironmentalImpactstatement,therulesspecificallyexcludefromconsiderationforapprovalofawaiverrulessuchasnumericornarrativestandardsprotectiveofhumanhealth.
Therefore,theproposednewrulescomportwiththegoalsofsmartgrowthandimplementationoftheStatePlanasrequiredinExecutiveOrderNo.
4(2002).
HousingAffordabilityImpactInaccordancewithN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-4,asamendedeffectiveJuly17,2008,byP.
L.
2008,c.
46,theDepartmenthasevaluatedtheproposednewrulesforpurposesofdeterminingtheirimpact,ifany,ontheaffordabilityofhousing.
TheproposednewruleswillallowtheDepartmenttoconsiderappropriaterelaxationofregulatoryrequirementsincertaincircumstanceswhichcouldresultinallowingactivitiesthatwouldotherwisebeprecludedortheconductofanactivityatanincreasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Insomelimitednumberofcases,activitiesallowedcouldincludeprojectsthatincluderesidentialhousingunitsandcouldresultintheabilityforadditionalunitstobeconstructed.
Whilethereissomepotentialthatthenewrulescouldhaveaminorpositiveimpactonthenumberofunitsofhousingthatcouldbeconstructedincertaincircumstances,theDepartmentdoesnotanticipatethattheproposedruleswillhaveanyimpactontheaffordabilityofthosehousesinparticularandbelievesthatitisextremelyTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
19unlikelythattheproposednewruleswouldevokeachangeintheaveragecostsassociatedwithhousing.
SmartGrowthDevelopmentImpactInaccordancewithN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-4,asamendedeffectiveJuly17,2008,byP.
L.
2008,c.
46,theDepartmenthasevaluatedtheproposednewrulesforpurposesofdeterminingtheirimpact,ifany,onsmartgrowthdevelopment.
AsindicatedintheHousingAffordabilityImpactstatement,incertaincircumstancesapprovalofawaiverofstrictcomplianceundertheproposednewrulescouldresultinallowingactivitiesthatwouldotherwisebeprecludedortheconductofanactivityatanincreasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Insomelimitednumberofcases,activitiesallowedcouldincludeprojectsthatincluderesidentialhousingunitsandcouldresultintheabilityforadditionalunitstobeconstructedwithsomeportionoftheseunitspotentiallyincludingaffordablehousingaswellashousinginStateDevelopmentandRedevelopmentPlan(StatePlan)PlanningAreas1and2anddesignatedcenters.
WhilethereissomepotentialthatthenewrulescouldhaveaminorpositiveimpactonthenumberofunitsofhousingproducedwithinPlanningArea1or2orwithindesignatedcenters,theDepartmentbelievesthatitisextremelyunlikelythattheproposednewruleswouldevokeachangeinhousingproductionwithintheseareas.
Fulltextoftheproposednewrulesfollows:CHAPTER1BWAIVEROFDEPARTMENTRULESTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
20SUBCHAPTER1.
GENERALPROVISIONS7:1B-1.
1Purposeandapplicability(a)ThepurposeofthischapteristosetforththelimitedcircumstancesinwhichtheDepartmentmay,initsdiscretion,waivethestrictcompliancewithanyofitsrulesinamannerconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheDepartmenttomaintain,protect,andenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment.
(b)ItisnotthepurposeofthischaptertoallowfortheroutinecircumventionofanyDepartmentrule.
(c)Thischapterdoesnotprecludetheavailabilityofanyruleconcerninganexception,variance,waiver,oremergencyauthorizationpursuanttoanyotherchapterinTitle7oftheNewJerseyAdministrativeCode.
(d)Thischapterdoesnotcreateinanypersonarighttoawaiver.
(e)Thischapterdoesnotauthorizeanyotherentitytoapproveawaiver.
7:1B-1.
2DefinitionsThefollowingwordsandterms,whenusedinthischapter,shallhavethefollowingmeaningsunlessthecontextclearlyindicatesotherwise:"Conflictingrules"meansasituationinwhichtwoormoreDepartmentrules,oraDepartmentruleandtheruleofanotherStateagencyoraFederalagency,conflictsoastomakecompliancewithbothrulesimpossibleorimpracticable.
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
21"Department"meanstheNewJerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
"Netenvironmentalbenefit"meansasituationinwhichthequantitativeorqualitativebenefittoanaturalresourceorotherrelatedenvironmentalgoodforwhichtheDepartmenthasresponsibilitywouldsubstantiallyoutweighanydetrimenttothatnaturalresourceorenvironmentalgood,whichwouldresultfromawaiver.
Theremustbeanadequategeographicandresourcenexusbetweentheenvironmentaloffsetandthenaturalresourceorotherenvironmentalgoodthatisprotectedbytherulebeingwaived.
Thenetenvironmentalbenefitmayincludemitigation,butitmustbebeyondwhatthewaivedrulewouldhaverequiredindependentofthewaiver.
"Publicemergency"meansasituationinwhichaFederalorStateofficialwiththeauthoritytodosodeclaresapublicemergency.
"Undulyburdensome"meansasituationinwhichthestrictcompliancewithaspecificDepartmentrulewouldresultineither:(1)actual,exceptionalhardshipforaparticularprojectorproperty;or(2)excessivecostinrelationtoanalternativemeasureofcompliancethatachievescomparableorgreaterbenefits.
"Waiver"meansadecisionbytheDepartmentpursuanttothischapterthatrelaxesstrictcompliancewithaspecificDepartmentrule,inwholeorpart,asappliedtoaspecificpersonorproperty,onthebasisoftheparticularcircumstancesofthatpersonorproperty.
7:1B-1.
3SeverabilityAfindingbyacourtofcompetentjurisdictionthatanysection,subsection,provision,clause,orportionofthischapterisinvalidorunconstitutionalshallnotaffectTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
22theremainderofthechapter.
SUBCHAPTER2.
WAIVER7:1B-2.
1Basisforawaiver(a)Exceptasprovidedin(b)below,theDepartmentmay,inaccordancewiththischapter,prospectivelywaivethestrictcompliancewithanyofitsrulesonlywhenitdeterminesthatatleastoneofthefollowingexists:1.
Conflictingrules;2.
Thestrictcompliancewiththerulewouldbeundulyburdensome;3.
Anetenvironmentalbenefit;or4.
Apublicemergency.
(b)TheDepartmentshallnotwaiveanyruleconcerning:1.
Aspecificrequirementof,oraspecificdutyimposedby,aFederalorStatestatuteorFederalregulation,unlessthatstatuteorregulationprovidesforsuchawaiver;2.
AFederallydelegated,authorized,orassumedprogramwherethewaiverwouldnotbeconsistentwithNewJersey'sdelegation,authorization,orassumptionofauthoritypursuanttothatFederalprogram;3.
ArulethatimplementsaFederallyenforceableprogrampursuanttoaStateTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
23ImplementationPlan(SIP),asdefinedatN.
J.
A.
C.
7:27-18.
1;4.
PartofacollaborativeprograminvolvingmultiplestatesorjurisdictionswherethewaiverwouldnotbeconsistentwithNewJersey'sparticipationinthemulti-stateormulti-jurisdictionprogram;5.
Theairemissionstradingprogram;6.
Numericornarrativestandardsprotectiveofhumanhealth;7.
Thedesignationofrare,threatened,orendangeredstatusofanyspeciesoffloraorfauna,orhabitatforsuchspecies;8.
Aremediationfundingsource,claimorotherreimbursement,grant,loan,orotherfinancialassistance;9.
Alicense,certification,orregistrationforavehicle,boat,individual,orbusiness;10.
Alicenseorapprovalforhunting,fishing,ortrapping;11.
Publicparticipationornotice;or12.
Afee,oversightcost,andotherDepartmentcost.
7:1B-2.
2Waiverevaluationcriteria(a)TheDepartmentshallconsidertheextenttowhichthefollowingcriteriaTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
24supportawaiverofthestrictcompliancewitharuleinaccordancewiththischapter.
1.
Thepublichashadsufficientnoticeofthewaiverinaccordancewithapplicablerules;2.
TheDepartmenthasbeenprovidedwithinformationanddatasufficienttosupportawaiver;3.
Therearecircumstancesthatsupporttheneedforawaiver;4.
Thepersonseekingthewaivermayhavedirectlycausedorcontributedtothecircumstancesthatresultedintherulebeingundulyburdensome;5.
Thereisanetenvironmentalbenefit,includingtheconsideration,whenappropriate,oftheimpactofthewaiverontheremediationandredevelopmentofacontaminatedsite,orontheexpansionofanexistingdevelopment;6.
Theactivityauthorizedbythewaiverwouldbeconsistentwiththepurposesandobjectivesofallapplicablestatutoryrequirements;and7.
ThewaiverwouldbeconsistentwiththeDepartment'scoremissionstomaintain,protect,andenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectpublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment;and8.
Thewaiverwouldresultinareasonableandeffectiveresponsetoapublicemergency.
7:1B-2.
3NoticeofthewaiverTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
25(a)Anypersonrequestingawaivershallincludenoticeofthewaiverrequestinanypublicnoticethepersonmustprovideinaccordancewiththepublicnoticerequirementsoftherulesfromwhichthewaiverisrequested.
(b)TheDepartmentshallpublish,intheDEPBulletin,noticeof:1.
Itsdeterminationtoconsiderawaiver;and2.
Itsdecisiononeachwaiver.
7:1B-2.
4Rulewaiverandlimitations(a)IftheDepartmentdecidestowaivethestrictcomplianceofanyofitsrules,itshalldocumentitsdecisioninwritingtothepersontowhomthewaiverapplies,including;1.
Thenameandaddressofthepersontowhomthewaiverapplies;2.
Thespecificlocationtowhichthewaiverapplies;3.
Thespecificruleprovision(s)towhichthewaiverapplies;4.
Thebasisforitsdecisiononthewaiver;5.
Theduration,scope,andextentofthewaiver;6.
Anyconditionsonthewaivernecessarytomaintain,protect,andenhanceNewTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
26Jersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment,including,butnotlimitedto:i.
Monitoringoftheenvironmentalimpactsoftheactivityapprovedaspartofthewaiver;ii.
Reportingofanyenvironmentalimpactsoftheactivityapprovedaspartofthewaiver;andiii.
Implementationofenvironmentaloffsets,ifapplicable,toensurethatthewaiverwouldresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit;7.
Anexplanation,ifapplicable,thattheproceduralrulesapplicabletoapermitauthorizationbeingissuedconcerningduration,renewal,revocability,andtransferapplytothewaiver;8.
NoticethattheDepartmentmayrevokethewaiverfornoncompliancewithanyconditioninthewaiver,orforthesubmissionoffalseorinaccurateinformation;and9.
Noticethatthepersontowhomthewaiverappliesshallbesubjecttoenforcementfornoncompliancewithanyconditioninthewaiver.
(b)TheDepartment'swaiverofthestrictcompliancewithoneofitsrulesshall:1.
BeconsideredawaiveronlyoftheapplicationoftheparticularruleprovisionthattheDepartmentidentifiesinitswaiverdecisionissuedunder(a)above;2.
Notconstituteawaiveroftherulegenerallyoranyotherprovisionofanyotherrulenotspecifiedinthewaiver;THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
273.
Notconstituteanapprovalofanyotheractivity,whetheratthelocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiveroranotherlocation;4.
Bevalidonlyastothepersonidentifiedinthewaiverortheparticularprojectorlocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiver,exceptastheapplicableprogram-specificrulesprovide;5.
Notbeautomaticallyrenewable,exceptasthewaiverorapplicableprogram-specificrulesprovide;6.
Notconstituteadefensetoajudicialoradministrativeenforcementactionforaviolationthatpredatesthewaiver;and7.
Notjustifyorotherwiseexcusepriorviolations,butmaybeusedtoresolvecontestedcasesorotherdisputes.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
1ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONCOMMISSIONER'SOFFICEOFFICEOFLEGALAFFAIRSWaiverofDepartmentRulesProposedNewRules:N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1BAuthorizedby:BobMartin,Commissioner,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionAuthority:N.
J.
S.
A.
12:5-3,13:1B-1etseq.
,13:1B-15.
4etseq.
,13:1B-15.
12aetseq.
,13:1B-15.
100etseq.
,13:1B-15.
108etseq.
,13:1B-15.
128etseq.
,13:1B-15.
151etseq.
,13:1B-30etseq.
,13:1D-1etseq.
,13:1D-29etseq,13:1D-35etseq.
,13:1D-124,13:1D-125etseq.
,13:1D-134etseq.
,13:1E-1etseq.
,13:1E-100etseq.
,13:1F-1etseq.
,13:1G-1etseq.
,13:1H-1etseq,13:1H-8etseq.
,13:1K-1etseq.
,13:1K-6etseq.
,13:1K-19etseq.
,13:1L·1etseq.
,13:8-30etseq.
,13:8A-letseq.
,13:8A-19etseq.
,13:8A-35etseq.
,13:8C-letseq.
,13:9A-1etseq.
,13:9B-1etseq.
,13:13A-letseq.
,13:19-1etseq.
,13:20-1etseq.
,23:1-1etseq.
,23:2A-1etseq.
,23:2B·14,26:2C-letseq.
,26:2C-8etseq.
,26:2C-8.
1through26:2C-8.
5,26:2C-8.
11,26:2C-9.
2,26:2C-9.
5,26:2C-37etseq.
26:2C-45etseq.
,26:2D-1etseq.
,26:2D-21,26:2D-70etseq.
,26:3A2-21etseq.
,34:5A-1etseq.
,39:3-33.
1,39:8-61,40:55D-1etseq.
,40:55D-93etseq.
,40A:11-1etseq.
,45:1-9,45:5AA·1etseq.
,45:15C·1etseq.
,47:1A-1etseq.
,48:3-1etseq.
,48:13A-letseq.
,48:13A-7.
1etseq.
,50:1-1etseq.
,50:1-5,50:1-5etseq.
,50:1-23,50:1-27,50:2-7through50:2-12,50:3-1etseq.
,52:14B-3,52:14B-4,52:14B-4(b),52:27D-222through52:27D-228,54:4-3.
63etseq.
,54:4-23.
1etseq.
,54:10A-5.
31,54:10A-5.
32,54:32B-8.
36,58:1A-1etseq.
,58:1B-1etseq.
,58:1B-7,58:2-1etseq.
,58:4-1etseq.
,58:4A-4etseq.
,58:4A-4.
1etseq.
,58:10-23.
11,58:10-23.
11etseq.
,58:10-23.
11aetseq.
,58:10-23.
16,58:10-23.
20through58:10-23.
24,58:10-46through58:10-50,58:10A-1etseq.
,58:10-16,58:10A-21etseq.
,58:10B-1etseq.
,58:10B-1through58:10B-4,58:10B-8,58:10B-11through58:10B-13,58:10B-17.
1,58:10B-20,58:10B·26,58:10B-28,58:10B-29,58:10B-31,58:10C-letseq.
,58:11-9.
1etseq.
,58:11-23etseq.
,58:11-49through58:11-58,58:11-49etTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
2seq.
,58:11-59etseq.
,58:11-64etseq.
,58:11A-1etseq.
,58:12A-letseq.
,58:12A-22through58:12A-25,58:12A-26etseq.
,58:16A-50etseq.
,58:23.
11b,58:23.
l1e2,58:23.
l1f,58:23.
11g,58:23.
16,58:24-1etseq.
,58:25-23etseq.
and58:29-1etseq.
CalendarReference:SeeSummarybelowforexplanationofexceptiontocalendarrequirement.
DEPDocketNumber:03-11-02ProposalNumber:PRN2011-ApublichearingconcerningthisproposalwillbeheldonThursday,April14,2011at3:00P.
M.
at:NewJerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionPublicHearingRoom401EastStateStreetTrenton,NJ08060SubmitwrittencommentsbyMay6,2011,to:GaryJ.
Brower,Esq.
OfficeofLegalAffairsAttn:DEPDocketNumber:03-11-02NJDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection401EastStateStreet,Floor4P.
O.
Box402Trenton,NJ08625-0402TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(Department)requeststhatcommenterssubmitcommentsonCDorDVDaswellasonpaperinordertofacilitateincorporationofsubmittedcommentsintoitscomment-responsedocument.
Forthispurpose,thecommentsonCDorDVDshouldnotbeaccess-restricted(lockedorread-THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
3only).
TheDepartmentprefersMicrosoftWord6.
0orabove.
MacIntoshformatsshouldnotbeused.
SubmissionofaCDorDVDisnotarequirement.
EachcommentshouldbeidentifiedbytheapplicableN.
J.
A.
C.
citation,withthecommenter'snameandaffiliationfollowingthecomment.
TheruleproposalcanbefoundattheDepartment'swebsite(www.
nj.
gov/dep).
Theagencyproposalfollows:SummaryAstheDepartmenthasprovideda60-daycommentperiodonthisnoticeofproposal,thisnoticeisexceptedfromtherulemakingcalendarrequirementpursuanttoN.
J.
A.
C.
1:30-3.
3(a)5.
TheDepartmentproposesnewN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B,WaiverofDepartmentRules,toestablishtheconditionsandproceduresfortheDepartmenttoapprovewaiversfromstrictcompliancewithitsruleswhereappropriatetoaddresssituationswhererulesconflict,oraruleisundulyburdensomeinspecificapplication,oranetenvironmentalbenefitwouldberealized,orapublicemergencyexists.
TheDepartmentpromulgatesrulestomeetitsstatutoryobligationsandtosatisfyitscoremissionsofprotectingtheair,waters,land,andnaturalandhistoricresourcesoftheStatetoensurecontinuedpublicbenefit.
ThesecoremissionsaretobeadvancedthrougheffectiveandbalancedimplementationandenforcementofenvironmentalrulestoprotecttheseresourcesandthehealthandsafetyofNewJersey'sresidentsandvisitors.
However,itisapparentthat,incertainlimitedcircumstances,strictcompliancewitharuleorprovisionofarulecanleadtoanunreasonable,unfair,orunintendedresult,whichcanadverselyaffectaprospectiveapplicant,thepublic,and/ortheenvironment.
Inordertoprevent,oratleastminimize,suchadverseresults,GovernorChristiearticulatedasetof"CommonSensePrinciples"inExecutiveOrderNo.
2(2010).
Throughthisexecutiveorder,theGovernordirectedallStateagenciestoadoptrulesthatallowforwaiversofTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
4rulesthateitherconflictorareundulyburdensome.
AccordingtoExecutiveOrderNo.
2,anagencycanonlywaivethestrictcompliancewitharegulationifthewaiverwouldnotbeinconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheagency.
ThisCommonSensePrincipleconcerningwaiversharmonizeswellwithtwootherCommonSensePrinciplesthattheGovernorfurtherarticulatedinExecutiveOrderNo.
2.
First,theGovernordirectedallagenciestotakeactiontocultivateanapproachtoregulationsthatvaluesperformance-basedoutcomesandcompliance.
Forexample,undertheproposedrulesforwaiversthatwouldyieldanetenvironmentalbenefit,theremightbeopportunitytosatisfyrequirementsusingnewtechnologyornewornontraditionalmethodsand/ormaterialsorotherinnovativeoptions.
Second,theGovernordirectedallagenciestodraftallproposedrulesandprocessessothattheypromotetransparencyandpredictabilityregardingregulatoryactivity,consistencyofbusinessregulationwithintheState,appropriateflexibility,andareasonablebalancebetweentheunderlyingregulatoryobjectivesandtheburdensimposedbytheregulatoryactivity.
WiththeserulesforwaiverstheDepartmentispromotingboththetransparencyandpredictabilitythattheGovernormandated,aswellastheflexibilityneededtoobtaintheappropriatebalancebetweentheunderlyingregulatoryobjectivesandtheburdensimposedbytheregulatoryactivity.
SUBCHAPTER1.
GENERALPROVISIONSSubchapter1setsforththepurposeandapplicabilityoftherules;definitions;andseverability.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
1PurposeandapplicabilityThepurposeofthechapteristoestablishthelimitedcircumstancesinwhichtheDepartmentwillwaivestrictcompliancewithanyofitsrules.
Whenpromulgatingitsrules,theDepartmentcannotanticipateeverycircumstanceorpersonalhardshipthatmayariseinrelationtotheimplementationofthoserules.
TheDepartmentrecognizesthatsituationsarisewhenstrictcompliancewithaprovisionofarulecaninadvertentlybeTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
5undulyburdensome,preventfullcompliancewithanotherrule,orperhapsstandinthewayofaccomplishinganenvironmentallybeneficialresultthatsafeguardsthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.
Inspecificandinfrequentcases,waivingcompliancewithagivenrulecouldhelpmoreeffectivelyaccomplishtheDepartment'scoremissionsthanrequiringadherencewitheveryaspectofaparticularstandardorrequirement.
TheDepartmentdoesnotintendtousethischaptertowaivestrictcompliancewithagivenrulerepeatedlyorformultiplepersonssuchthatuseofawaiverwouldbecomeawaytoroutinelyavoidcompliancewiththatrule.
NorwilltheseproposedruleslimittheuseoravailabilityofanyotherDepartmentrulethatprovidesanexception,variance,orwaiverfromstrictcompliance,ortheavailabilityofemergencyauthorizations.
TheruleswillprovideanadditionalmeansofrelieffromstrictcompliancewithDepartmentruleswhenappropriate.
Importantly,theseproposedruleswillnotentitleanypersonorentitytoawaivernorwilltheyobligetheDepartmenttowaivearuleinanysituationorforanyapplicant.
TheproposedrulesestablishcriteriatoenabletheDepartmenttoapprovewaiversincertaincircumstancesconsistentwithcarryingoutitscoremissionstomaintainandprotecttheenvironmentandprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.
TheproposedruleswillnotvestentitiestowhichtheDepartmenthasdelegatedanyauthoritytomakepermitdecisionsortakeotheractionsonitsbehalfwiththeauthoritytowaiveanyDepartmentrule.
WaiversunderthischaptershallbedeterminedandapprovedonlybytheDepartment.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
2DefinitionsProposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
2setsforthdefinitionsforseveraltermsusedinthechapter.
Thetermsforwhichdefinitionsareproposedinclude"waiver,"andthetermsusedatN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(a)thatdescribethesituationsinwhichtheDepartmentwillconsiderwaivingarule,specifically,"conflictingrules,""undulyburdensome,""netenvironmentalbenefit,"and"publicemergency.
"SeediscussionofproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1below.
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
6N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
3SeverabilityProposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
3providesthatifacourtdeterminesthataportionofthischapterisinvalidorunconstitutional,theremainderofthechaptershallnotbeaffected.
SUBCHAPTER2.
WAIVERSubchapter2establishesthesituationsinwhichawaiverwillbeconsideredandidentifiestheDepartmentrulesthatcannotbeconsideredforawaiverunderthischapter;thecriteriatheDepartmentwillevaluateindeterminingwhethertoapproveawaiver;publicnoticerequirementsforwaivers;therequirementsfordocumentingthewaiverdecision;conditionsthatmaybeattachedtoawaiverwhenissued;andlimitationsonthescopeandapplicabilityofanygivenwaiverwhenissued.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1BasisforawaiverWaiversunderthischapterwillbeprospectiveonly.
Theywilladdressproposed,futureactivitiesratherthanregulatedactivitiesthathavealreadytakenplace,withorwithoutpriorDepartmentauthorization.
InorderfortheDepartmenttowaiveitsrules,itmustdeterminethatatleastoneoffoursituationsexists.
AwaiverwillbeconsiderediftwoormoreDepartmentrules,oraDepartmentruleandtheruleofanotherStateagencyoraFederalagencyconflictsoastomakecompliancewithbothrulesimpossibleorimpracticable.
Forexample,oneDepartmentrulemayrequirearegulatedpersonorentitytotakeacertainaction,whileanotherDepartmentrule(underthesameoranotherchapter)maypreventthatpersonorentityfromundertakingtherequiredaction.
IncaseswheretheDepartment'sTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
7requirementsareinopposition,theseruleswillenabletheDepartmenttoevaluatewhichrequirementmightbewaivedinordertobestpreservepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment.
TheDepartmentwillconsiderawaiverwhenaprospectiveapplicantassertsthatstrictcompliancewitharulewouldbeundulyburdensomebecauseitimposesactual,exceptionalhardshiporexcessivecostinrelationtoanalternativemeasureofcompliancethatachievescomparableorgreaterbenefits.
Awaiverofstrictcompliancemightbeappropriatewherethewaivercouldresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit.
Thequantitativeorqualitativebenefittoanaturalresourceorrelatedenvironmentalgoodfromwaivingarulehastosubstantiallyoutweighanydetrimenttotheresourceorenvironmentalgoodresultingfromthewaiver.
Inaddition,therewillhavetobeanadequategeographicorresourcenexusbetweentheenvironmentaloffset,i.
e.
,thequantitativeorqualitativeenvironmentalimprovementresultingfromthewaiver,andtheresourceorgoodprotectedbytherulebeingwaived.
Ifthenetenvironmentalbenefitincludesmitigation,themitigationmustexceedwhatwouldhavebeenrequiredunderthewaivedrule.
Finally,awaivermightbeappropriatewhenapublicemergencyhasbeendeclaredbyaFederalorStateofficial,ifdoingsobestensuresprotectionofthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment.
NoteveryDepartmentrulecanbeconsideredforawaiverundertheseproposedrules.
ProposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(b)liststheDepartmentrulesthatcannotbewaived.
TheDepartment'srulesimplementawidevarietyofstatutorymandates,andincertaincasestheDepartment'sprogramsincludedelegationsofFederalauthority.
ThelistofrulesthatcannotbewaivedunderthischapterincludesruleswheretheapprovalofawaiverwouldviolateeitheraconditionofaFederaldelegation,wouldviolateaspecificstatutorydutyassignedtotheDepartmentunderStatestatuteorwouldbeinconsistentwiththeDepartment'scoremissionofprotectinghumanhealthandsafety.
ThelistalsoincludesapprovalsforwhichtheDepartmenthasdeterminedeithertheexistingprogramrulesalreadyprovideanadequatewaiverprocessortheregulatoryrequirementisnotTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
8sufficientlyburdensometojustifyDepartmentconsiderationofwaiverrequests(forexample,boat,hunting,fishingandtrappinglicenses).
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
2WaiverevaluationcriteriaIndeterminingwhetherawaivershouldbeapproved,theDepartmentwillconsidertheextenttowhichthecriteriaatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
2(a)aremet.
Thecriteriaaddresswhether(1)thepublichasbeenprovidednoticethatawaiverisbeingconsidered,(2)theDepartmenthasbeenprovidedsufficientinformationtosupportawaiver,(3)circumstancessupporttheneedforawaiver,(4)thepersonseekingawaiverhascausedorcontributedtothecircumstancesthatthepersonassertshaveresultedinarulebeingundulyburdensome,(5)thereisanetenvironmentalbenefitfromthewaiver,including,asappropriate,theimpactofthewaiverontheremediationorredevelopmentofacontaminatedsiteorontheexpansionofanexistingdevelopment,(6)theconsistencyoftheactivitytobeauthorizedunderthewaiverwiththepurposesandobjectivesofapplicablestatutoryrequirements,(7)consistencyofthewaiverwiththeDepartment'scoremissionstomaintain,protect,andenhancetheState'snaturalresourcesandprotectpublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment,and(8)thewaiverwouldresultinareasonableandeffectiveresponsetoapublicemergency.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
3NoticeofthewaiverProvisionofpublicnoticeofpermitapplicationsandotherDepartmentactionsismandatoryundermostoftheDepartment'senablingstatutes.
PublicnoticeisalsokeytopromotingtransparencyandpredictabilityofagencyrulesandprocessesinconformancewithExecutiveOrderNo.
2.
AnumberoftheDepartment'sregulatoryprogramsrequirethepersonorentityseekingapprovalofaparticularproject,action,orotherregulatedactivitytoprovidepublicnotice.
Accordingly,proposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
3(a)requiresapersonrequestingawaivertoincludenoticeofthewaiverrequestinanypublicnoticetheTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
9personisotherwiserequiredtoprovide.
Inadditiontothepublicnoticethewaiverapplicantwouldprovide,theDepartmentunderproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
3(b)1willpublishintheDEPBulletinnoticeofitsdeterminationtoconsiderawaiver.
Thereafter,theDepartmentwillpublishintheDEPBulletinnoticeofitsdecisiononthewaiver.
N.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
4RulewaiverandlimitationsTheDepartmentwilldocumenteachofitswaiverdecisionsinwritingtothepersontowhomthewaiverwillapply.
AssetforthatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
4(a),thewaiverdecisionwillspecifythelocationtowhichthewaiverapplies,theruleprovisionstowhichitapplies,andthebasisfortheapproval(ordenial,shouldthewaivernotmeetthestandardsofthisproposedchapter).
Thewrittendecisionwillspecifytheduration,scope,andextentofthewaiver,andmaycontainconditionsnecessarytoprotectnaturalresourcesand/orthepublichealth,safetyandwelfare,andtheenvironment.
Conditionsmayinclude,forexample,monitoringandreportingofimpactsofactivitiesapprovedunderthewaiver,andconditionsnecessarytoensurethatenvironmentaloffsetsareimplementedinordertorealizeanetenvironmentalbenefit.
Inaddition,thewrittenwaiverdecisionwillexplainanyapplicableproceduralrulesgoverningduration,renewal,revocability,andtransferthatapplytothewaiverbecausetheyapplytoacorrespondingpermitorauthorization.
Thewaiverdecisionwillgivenoticethatthewaivermayberevokedfornoncompliancewithanyconditionorforsubmittaloffalseorinaccurateinformation.
Thewrittenwaiverdecisionwillalsogivenoticethatthepersontowhomitapplieswillbesubjecttoenforcementfornoncompliancewiththewaiveranditsconditions.
AnywaiverdecisionthattheDepartmentissuesundertheseproposedruleswillbesubjecttothelimitationssetoutatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
4(b).
Thelimitationswillensurethattheissuedwaiverisconsistentwiththepurposeoftheseproposedrulestoallowdiscrete,circumscribedwaiversofspecificDepartmentruleswheresuchawaiverisdeterminednecessaryinordertoaddressarulesconflict,toavoidarulebeingundulyTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
10burdensome,toenableanenvironmentalbenefit,orbecausethereisapublicemergency.
Accordingly,awaiverundertheseproposedruleswillbeawaiveronlyoftheapplicationoftheparticularruleprovisionidentifiedinthewrittenwaiverdecision,anditwillnotbeawaiverofthatrulegenerallyorofanyprovisionofanyotherrulenotspecifiedinthewaiverdecision.
Norwillthewaiverconstituteapprovalofanyactivityotherthanthatapprovedunderthewaiver,whetheratthelocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiveroranyotherlocation.
Thewaiverwillbevalidonlyastothepersonidentifiedinthewaiver,ortotheparticularprojectorlocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiver,unlessapplicableDepartmentprogramrulesprovideotherwise.
Thewaiverwillnotbeautomaticallyrenewable,unlessthewaiverorapplicableDepartmentprogramrulessoprovide.
Thewaiverwillnotconstituteadefensetoanenforcementactionforanyviolationthatpredatesthewaiver,anditwillnotjustifyorexcusepriorviolations.
Thewaivercould,however,beusedtoresolveacontestedcaseorotherdispute.
SocialImpactTheproposednewruleswillallowtheDepartmenttowaivestrictcompliancewithprovisionsoftheDepartment'srulesinlimitedcasesinamannerwhichisanticipatedtoresultinapositivesocialimpact.
WhilemanyoftheDepartment'srulesalreadycontainprovisionstoallowtheDepartmenttoreactinemergencysituationswherestrictcompliancewiththenormalpermitting/reviewprocess,forexample,wouldnotallowtimelyresponse,therulesprovideassurancethattheDepartmentwillbeabletorespondtosituationsthatmayariseunderanyofitsruleswhereapublicemergencyexists.
TherulesadditionallyallowtheDepartmenttoapprovewaiversofstrictcomplianceinappropriatecircumstanceswherenecessarytoavoidunreasonable,unfairorunintendedresults,whileassuringcontinuedprotectionofpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment.
Inthismanner,theruleswillallowtheDepartmenttoallowappropriateTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
11activitiestooccur,but,throughmechanismssuchasthespecificprohibitionofanywaiverofanarrativeornumericstandardprotectiveofhumanhealth,theruleswillalsoassurethatpublicwatersuppliesandpublichealthcontinuetobeprotectedandthatanyadverseimpactsresultingfromthewaiversareminimized.
EconomicImpactTheDepartmentanticipatesthattheproposednewruleswillhaveapositiveeconomicimpact,althoughitisnotpossibletoquantifytheeconomicresultsoffuturewaiverapplicationsandpotentialapprovalsofwaiverfromstrictcompliance.
TheproposednewruleswillallowtheDepartmenttoreviewcasestodeterminewhereawaiverofstrictcompliancewithcertainDepartmentrulerequirementsisappropriatetoavoidunreasonable,unfairorunintendedresults,whileassuringcontinuedprotectionofpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment.
Theabilitytoobtainrelieffromthestrictapplicationofarequirementthatqualifiesforconsiderationforwaiverundertherulesisanticipatedtoresultinapositiveeconomicimpactinsomecasesbyallowingappropriateactivitieswhichwouldnototherwisebeallowedtoproceedandotheractivitiestobeconductedatanincreasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Positiveeconomicimpactsfromjobscreatedtocarryouttheactivity,purchaseofgoodsutilizedintheactivity,orincreasedoperationalefficiencywilllikelyresult.
Dependingupontherequirementwhichissoughttobewaivedandthebasisuponwhichthewaiverisrequested,apersonseekingawaiverfromtheDepartmentmayincurcostsrelatedtodevelopmentofinformationthepersonwishestoprovidetotheDepartmentinsupportofthewaiverrequestor,inthecaseofwaiverrequestsbaseduponnetenvironmentalimpact,inprovidingproposedmitigationorotherenvironmentalbenefitstooffsetanynegativeenvironmentalimpactresultingfromapprovalofarequestedwaiverofstrictcompliance.
TheexactamountofanysuchcostwilldependuponthetypeandsizeofprojectinvolvedandthespecificrequirementfromwhichTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
12waiverissought.
However,asrequestofawaiverispurelyvoluntary,theDepartmentanticipatesthatawaiverrequestwillonlybemadewhenthepersonrequestingthewaiverhasdeterminedthataneteconomicorotherbenefitwillbeachievedbyobtainingthewaiverofstrictcompliance,andthattheneteconomicorotherbenefittobeachievedoutweighsanycostassociatedwithseekingthewaiver,includingcostsrelatedtoprovisionofalternateenvironmentalbenefitstooffsetanyimpactsfromthewaiverofstrictcompliance.
Accordingly,theDepartmentanticipatesthattheproposednewruleswillresultinanoverallpositiveeconomicimpact.
EnvironmentalImpactTheruleswouldallowtheDepartmenttowaivestrictcompliancewithsomeprovisionsoftheDepartment'srules,whichwillallowsomeactivitiestoproceedthatwouldotherwisenotbeallowed,withcorrespondingnegativeenvironmentalimpacts.
However,theproposednewruleswillapplyonlyinlimitedcircumstancesandcontainlimitationsdesignedtoassurethatunacceptableenvironmentalandpublichealthimpactsdonotoccur.
TheDepartmentwillonlyconsiderarequestforawaiverofstrictcomplianceifoneoffourspecifiedconditionsispresent.
Toqualifyforconsiderationforawaiver,theDepartmentmustbeabletodeterminethattherequirementsoughttobewaivedconflictswithanotherDepartmentorotherStateorFederalagencyrule,applicationoftheruleinthespecificcircumstancespresentwouldbeundulyburdensome(definedtoincludeonlyactual,exceptionalhardship),therewouldbeanetenvironmentalbenefitachievedthroughtheapprovalofthewaiverorthereisapublicemergencythatmustbeaddressed.
Evenwhenoneofthosefoureligibilityrequirementsispresent,therulesspecificallyprohibitwaiversofcertainstandardsandrequirements,includingspecificrequirementsordutiesimposedbyStatestatuteorunderFederalstatuteorregulation.
Alsoprohibitediswaiverofnumericornarrativestandardsprotectiveofhumanhealth.
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
13Further,therulescontaincriteriaatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1thatwillbeconsideredbytheDepartmentindeterminingifstrictcomplianceshouldbewaived,includingfactorssuchaswhetherawaivertoallowtheactivitytoproceedwouldbeconsistentwiththepurposesandobjectivesofallapplicablestatutoryrequirements.
ThelimitedbasesforwaivercontainedatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(a),thelimitationsonthetypesofrulesthatmaybeconsideredforwaiverspecifiedatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(b),andthecriteriatobeconsideredintheDepartment'sdeterminationastowhethertoapproveordenyawaiverrequestspecifiedatproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
2.
2,inconjunctionwiththeoverarchingrequirementofproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-1.
1(a)thatanywaiverofstrictcompliancemustbeconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheDepartmenttomaintain,protectandenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment,willassurethatwaiversareapprovedonlyinlimited,appropriatecircumstancesandthatanyadverseenvironmentalimpactsareminimized.
Inadditiontosituationswherelimitedadverseenvironmentalimpactsmaybeallowedtooccur,therulesadditionallyallowtheDepartmenttoconsiderwaiverofstandardsnotspecificallyprecludedunderproposedN.
J.
A.
C.
7:1B-2.
1(b)insituationswherewaiverofstrictcompliancewiththespecificstandardwillresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit.
WherethisisthebasisforapprovalofawaiverofstrictcompliancewithaDepartmentrule,apositiveenvironmentalimpactwilloccur.
TheDepartmentanticipatesthatanynegativeenvironmentalimpactfromapprovalsofwaiversbaseduponconflictsbetweenrules,orarulebeingundulyburdensomeorwhennecessitatedbypublicemergencywillbepartiallyoffsetbypositiveenvironmentalimpactsfromwaiversapprovedbaseduponnetenvironmentalbenefitandthehumanhealthandsafetyconcernsaddressedinsituationsofpublicemergency.
FederalStandardsStatementExecutiveOrderNo.
27(1994)andN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-1etseq.
(P.
L.
1995c.
65)requireStateagencieswhichadopt,readoptoramendStateregulationsthatexceedanyTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
14FederalstandardsorrequirementstoincludeintherulemakingdocumentaFederalstandardsanalysis.
Theproposednewrulesdonotimposeanynewstandards.
Instead,therulessimplyprovideamechanismfortheconsiderationofrelaxationofstandardsintheDepartment'sexistingrulesinappropriatecircumstances.
Accordingly,nothinginthisproposednewruleexceedsanyFederalstandardsorrequirements.
TheproposednewruleswillapplytoDepartmentrulesthatareinsomecasessubjecttoFederalstandardsorrequirementsandinothercasesbasedentirelyuponStatestatutoryauthority.
AnanalysisoftheFederalstandardsapplicabletoeachofthoserulesispresenteduponreadoptionoramendmentofeachofthoseindividualrulechapters.
Theproposedrulesspecificallyprovidethatnowaiverwillbeapprovedinaccordancewiththisproposednewchapterofaspecificrequirementof,oraspecificdutyimposedby,aFederalstatuteorregulation,unlessthatstatuteorregulationprovidesforsuchawaiver.
Further,waiversareprecludedofstandardscontainedinaFederallydelegated,authorized,orassumedprogramwherethewaiverwouldnotbeconsistentwithNewJersey'sdelegation,authorization,orassumptionofauthoritypursuanttothatFederalprogram.
Accordingly,theproposedrulesareconsistentwithanyFederalstatuteorregulationapplicabletoanyoftheaffectedDepartmentprogramrules.
BecausetheproposedrulesdonotincludestandardsthatexceedanyapplicableFederalstandardorrequirementandareconsistentwithanyapplicableFederalwaiverstandards,nofurtheranalysisisrequiredunderExecutiveOrderNo.
27(1994)andN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-1etseq.
JobsImpactAsindicatedintheEconomicImpactanalysis,theDepartmentanticipatesthattheproposedruleswillallowcertainactivitiesthatotherwisewouldnotbeapprovableunderthestricttermsoftheDepartment'srulestoproceedandmayallowotheractivitiesthatwouldbelimitedbyaspecificprovisionoftheDepartment'srulestoproceedatanTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
15increasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Wherethisisthecase,therulesmayprovideincreasedjobopportunitiesinfieldsrelatedtotheactivityincludingconstruction,professionalservicessuchasengineeringandsurveying,andindustriesthatsupplytheseactivities,suchasbuildingsupplies.
Therulesmayadditionallyprovidesomeincreaseinjobsinprofessionsthatcouldbeinvolvedinmakingarequestforawaiveranddevelopingsupportinginformation,suchaslegalprofessionalsandaccountants,biologistsorothersretainedtodevelopinformationdemonstratinganactual,exceptionalhardshipthatwouldresultfromthestrictapplicationofaruleprovisionorthataproposedwaiverwouldresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit.
WhiletheDepartmentanticipatesthattherulewillhaveamodestpositivejobsimpact,asthecircumstanceswhereawaiverwillbeapprovedareintentionallylimitedtoassurethatanyappropriateactivitiesareallowedtooccurconsistentwithmaintenance,protectionandenhancementofNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment,itisnotanticipatedthattherewillbeasignificantimpactonjobs.
AgricultureIndustryImpactTheproposednewrulesdonotimposeanynewstandardsapplicabletoanyactivity,includingagriculturaloperations.
Instead,therulesprovideamechanismfortheconsiderationofawaiverfromstrictcompliancewithanyDepartmentruleinappropriatecircumstances.
ManyoftheDepartment'srulesprovideexemptionsforagriculturaloperations.
However,theproposedruleswillprovideagriculturaloperationsthataresubjecttoDepartmentruleswithamechanismtoseekwaiverofrequirementsapplicabletotheminappropriatecircumstances.
Accordingly,anyimpactontheagriculturalindustryisanticipatedtobepositive.
RegulatoryFlexibilityAnalysisTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
16InaccordancewiththeNewJerseyRegulatoryFlexibilityAct,N.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-16etseq.
,theDepartmenthasdeterminedthatsomeofthosethatmaybeaffectedbytheproposednewrulesmaybe"smallbusinesses"asdefinedintheAct.
Therules'compliancerequirementsaredescribedinthesummaryaboveandthecostsofcompliancearediscussedintheEconomicImpactStatementabove.
Asindicatedabove,theproposednewrulesdonotimposeanynewstandardsapplicabletoanyactivity,whetherthatactivityisconductedbyanindividual,alargecorporationorasmallbusiness.
Instead,therulesprovideamechanismfortheconsiderationofrelaxationofstandardsintheDepartment'sexistingrulesinappropriatecircumstances.
Dependingupontherequirementwhichissoughttobewaivedandthebasisuponwhichthewaiverisrequested,asmallbusinessseekingawaiverfromtheDepartmentmaydecidetoretainprofessionalassistancetodevelopinformationthesmallbusinesswishestoprovidetotheDepartmentinsupportofthewaiverrequest,forexample,ifthewaiversoughtisofatechnicalnature,suchasawaiverfromanengineeringstandard.
Similarly,professionalssuchasaccountantsmayberetainedtosupportawaiverrequestbaseduponunduehardship.
However,retentionofprofessionalassistanceisnotrequired.
Ifthesmallbusinessdiddeterminetoretainprofessionalassistance,thecostinvolvedwillvarydependinguponthetypeandsizeofprojectinvolved,andthespecificrequirementfromwhichwaiverissought.
Accordingly,anyimpactonsmallbusinessesisanticipatedtobepositive.
Therefore,theDepartmentdoesnotbelieveitwouldbeappropriatetoprovideanydifferingstandardforapprovalofawaiverthatwouldbeapplicabletosmallbusinesses.
SmartGrowthImpactExecutiveOrderNo.
4(2002)requiresStateagenciesthatadopt,amendorrepealTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
17StateregulationstoincludeintherulemakingdocumentaSmartGrowthImpactstatementthatdescribestheimpactoftheproposedruleontheachievementofsmartgrowthandimplementationoftheStateDevelopmentandRedevelopmentPlan(StatePlan).
TheproposednewrulesareconsistentwithStatePlanningGoals2,3and4.
StatePlanningGoal2:ConserveTheState'sNaturalResourcesandSystems,providesthattheState'snaturalresources(includingrivers,freshandsaltwaterwetlands,habitatsofuniquefloraandfauna)havesignificantintrinsicvalueascriticalelementsoftheState'squalityoflife.
TheimplementingstrategycallsforconservingtheState'snaturalresources.
StatePlanningGoal3,PromoteBeneficialEconomicGrowth,DevelopmentandRenewalforAllResidentsofNewJersey,providesthatsociallyandecologicallybeneficialeconomicgrowthistobepromotedasisgrowthinlocationsandwaysthatarebothfiscallyandenvironmentallysound.
Goal4ProtecttheEnvironment,PreventandCleanUpPollution,providesthat"Aclean,safeandattractiveenvironmentisessentialtoassuringthehealthofourcitizens.
Sustainablesuppliesofcleanwater,cleanairandanabundanceofopenspaceandrecreationalopportunitiesalsowillassureasustainableeconomy.
"Theimplementingstrategyisto"Protecttheenvironmentbyplanningforgrowthincompactforms,atlocationsanddensitiesofusethatmakeefficientuseofexistingandplannedinfrastructureandbyincreasinginfrastructurecapacitiesandgrowthpotentialinareaswheredevelopmentwillnotdamagewaterresources,criticalhabitatsorimportantforests…"TheproposednewrulesareintendedtoallowtheDepartmenttowaivestrictcompliancewithstandardscontainedinanyoftheDepartment'srulesinappropriatecircumstanceswhereawaiverofstrictcomplianceisappropriatetoavoidunreasonable,unfairorunintendedresults,thuspotentiallyencouragingeconomicdevelopment.
OneofthecriteriathatwillbeconsideredbytheDepartmentindeterminingwhethertoapproveawaiverrequestistheimpactofthewaiverontheremediationandredevelopmentofaTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
18contaminatedsite,orontheexpansionofanexistingdevelopment.
However,consistentwiththelimitationsinGoal3thateconomicgrowthbeenvironmentallysound,therulescontainlimitationsthatassureanyrelaxationallowedbyapprovalofawaiverwillbeconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheDepartmenttomaintain,protectandenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment,thusassuringthegoalsincorporatedinGoals2and4continuetobeachievedbytheDepartment'sotherrules.
Further,assummarizedintheEnvironmentalImpactstatement,therulesspecificallyexcludefromconsiderationforapprovalofawaiverrulessuchasnumericornarrativestandardsprotectiveofhumanhealth.
Therefore,theproposednewrulescomportwiththegoalsofsmartgrowthandimplementationoftheStatePlanasrequiredinExecutiveOrderNo.
4(2002).
HousingAffordabilityImpactInaccordancewithN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-4,asamendedeffectiveJuly17,2008,byP.
L.
2008,c.
46,theDepartmenthasevaluatedtheproposednewrulesforpurposesofdeterminingtheirimpact,ifany,ontheaffordabilityofhousing.
TheproposednewruleswillallowtheDepartmenttoconsiderappropriaterelaxationofregulatoryrequirementsincertaincircumstanceswhichcouldresultinallowingactivitiesthatwouldotherwisebeprecludedortheconductofanactivityatanincreasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Insomelimitednumberofcases,activitiesallowedcouldincludeprojectsthatincluderesidentialhousingunitsandcouldresultintheabilityforadditionalunitstobeconstructed.
Whilethereissomepotentialthatthenewrulescouldhaveaminorpositiveimpactonthenumberofunitsofhousingthatcouldbeconstructedincertaincircumstances,theDepartmentdoesnotanticipatethattheproposedruleswillhaveanyimpactontheaffordabilityofthosehousesinparticularandbelievesthatitisextremelyTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
19unlikelythattheproposednewruleswouldevokeachangeintheaveragecostsassociatedwithhousing.
SmartGrowthDevelopmentImpactInaccordancewithN.
J.
S.
A.
52:14B-4,asamendedeffectiveJuly17,2008,byP.
L.
2008,c.
46,theDepartmenthasevaluatedtheproposednewrulesforpurposesofdeterminingtheirimpact,ifany,onsmartgrowthdevelopment.
AsindicatedintheHousingAffordabilityImpactstatement,incertaincircumstancesapprovalofawaiverofstrictcomplianceundertheproposednewrulescouldresultinallowingactivitiesthatwouldotherwisebeprecludedortheconductofanactivityatanincreasedlevelthanwouldotherwisebeallowediftherulerequirementweretobestrictlyapplied.
Insomelimitednumberofcases,activitiesallowedcouldincludeprojectsthatincluderesidentialhousingunitsandcouldresultintheabilityforadditionalunitstobeconstructedwithsomeportionoftheseunitspotentiallyincludingaffordablehousingaswellashousinginStateDevelopmentandRedevelopmentPlan(StatePlan)PlanningAreas1and2anddesignatedcenters.
WhilethereissomepotentialthatthenewrulescouldhaveaminorpositiveimpactonthenumberofunitsofhousingproducedwithinPlanningArea1or2orwithindesignatedcenters,theDepartmentbelievesthatitisextremelyunlikelythattheproposednewruleswouldevokeachangeinhousingproductionwithintheseareas.
Fulltextoftheproposednewrulesfollows:CHAPTER1BWAIVEROFDEPARTMENTRULESTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
20SUBCHAPTER1.
GENERALPROVISIONS7:1B-1.
1Purposeandapplicability(a)ThepurposeofthischapteristosetforththelimitedcircumstancesinwhichtheDepartmentmay,initsdiscretion,waivethestrictcompliancewithanyofitsrulesinamannerconsistentwiththecoremissionsoftheDepartmenttomaintain,protect,andenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment.
(b)ItisnotthepurposeofthischaptertoallowfortheroutinecircumventionofanyDepartmentrule.
(c)Thischapterdoesnotprecludetheavailabilityofanyruleconcerninganexception,variance,waiver,oremergencyauthorizationpursuanttoanyotherchapterinTitle7oftheNewJerseyAdministrativeCode.
(d)Thischapterdoesnotcreateinanypersonarighttoawaiver.
(e)Thischapterdoesnotauthorizeanyotherentitytoapproveawaiver.
7:1B-1.
2DefinitionsThefollowingwordsandterms,whenusedinthischapter,shallhavethefollowingmeaningsunlessthecontextclearlyindicatesotherwise:"Conflictingrules"meansasituationinwhichtwoormoreDepartmentrules,oraDepartmentruleandtheruleofanotherStateagencyoraFederalagency,conflictsoastomakecompliancewithbothrulesimpossibleorimpracticable.
THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
21"Department"meanstheNewJerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
"Netenvironmentalbenefit"meansasituationinwhichthequantitativeorqualitativebenefittoanaturalresourceorotherrelatedenvironmentalgoodforwhichtheDepartmenthasresponsibilitywouldsubstantiallyoutweighanydetrimenttothatnaturalresourceorenvironmentalgood,whichwouldresultfromawaiver.
Theremustbeanadequategeographicandresourcenexusbetweentheenvironmentaloffsetandthenaturalresourceorotherenvironmentalgoodthatisprotectedbytherulebeingwaived.
Thenetenvironmentalbenefitmayincludemitigation,butitmustbebeyondwhatthewaivedrulewouldhaverequiredindependentofthewaiver.
"Publicemergency"meansasituationinwhichaFederalorStateofficialwiththeauthoritytodosodeclaresapublicemergency.
"Undulyburdensome"meansasituationinwhichthestrictcompliancewithaspecificDepartmentrulewouldresultineither:(1)actual,exceptionalhardshipforaparticularprojectorproperty;or(2)excessivecostinrelationtoanalternativemeasureofcompliancethatachievescomparableorgreaterbenefits.
"Waiver"meansadecisionbytheDepartmentpursuanttothischapterthatrelaxesstrictcompliancewithaspecificDepartmentrule,inwholeorpart,asappliedtoaspecificpersonorproperty,onthebasisoftheparticularcircumstancesofthatpersonorproperty.
7:1B-1.
3SeverabilityAfindingbyacourtofcompetentjurisdictionthatanysection,subsection,provision,clause,orportionofthischapterisinvalidorunconstitutionalshallnotaffectTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
22theremainderofthechapter.
SUBCHAPTER2.
WAIVER7:1B-2.
1Basisforawaiver(a)Exceptasprovidedin(b)below,theDepartmentmay,inaccordancewiththischapter,prospectivelywaivethestrictcompliancewithanyofitsrulesonlywhenitdeterminesthatatleastoneofthefollowingexists:1.
Conflictingrules;2.
Thestrictcompliancewiththerulewouldbeundulyburdensome;3.
Anetenvironmentalbenefit;or4.
Apublicemergency.
(b)TheDepartmentshallnotwaiveanyruleconcerning:1.
Aspecificrequirementof,oraspecificdutyimposedby,aFederalorStatestatuteorFederalregulation,unlessthatstatuteorregulationprovidesforsuchawaiver;2.
AFederallydelegated,authorized,orassumedprogramwherethewaiverwouldnotbeconsistentwithNewJersey'sdelegation,authorization,orassumptionofauthoritypursuanttothatFederalprogram;3.
ArulethatimplementsaFederallyenforceableprogrampursuanttoaStateTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
23ImplementationPlan(SIP),asdefinedatN.
J.
A.
C.
7:27-18.
1;4.
PartofacollaborativeprograminvolvingmultiplestatesorjurisdictionswherethewaiverwouldnotbeconsistentwithNewJersey'sparticipationinthemulti-stateormulti-jurisdictionprogram;5.
Theairemissionstradingprogram;6.
Numericornarrativestandardsprotectiveofhumanhealth;7.
Thedesignationofrare,threatened,orendangeredstatusofanyspeciesoffloraorfauna,orhabitatforsuchspecies;8.
Aremediationfundingsource,claimorotherreimbursement,grant,loan,orotherfinancialassistance;9.
Alicense,certification,orregistrationforavehicle,boat,individual,orbusiness;10.
Alicenseorapprovalforhunting,fishing,ortrapping;11.
Publicparticipationornotice;or12.
Afee,oversightcost,andotherDepartmentcost.
7:1B-2.
2Waiverevaluationcriteria(a)TheDepartmentshallconsidertheextenttowhichthefollowingcriteriaTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
24supportawaiverofthestrictcompliancewitharuleinaccordancewiththischapter.
1.
Thepublichashadsufficientnoticeofthewaiverinaccordancewithapplicablerules;2.
TheDepartmenthasbeenprovidedwithinformationanddatasufficienttosupportawaiver;3.
Therearecircumstancesthatsupporttheneedforawaiver;4.
Thepersonseekingthewaivermayhavedirectlycausedorcontributedtothecircumstancesthatresultedintherulebeingundulyburdensome;5.
Thereisanetenvironmentalbenefit,includingtheconsideration,whenappropriate,oftheimpactofthewaiverontheremediationandredevelopmentofacontaminatedsite,orontheexpansionofanexistingdevelopment;6.
Theactivityauthorizedbythewaiverwouldbeconsistentwiththepurposesandobjectivesofallapplicablestatutoryrequirements;and7.
ThewaiverwouldbeconsistentwiththeDepartment'scoremissionstomaintain,protect,andenhanceNewJersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectpublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment;and8.
Thewaiverwouldresultinareasonableandeffectiveresponsetoapublicemergency.
7:1B-2.
3NoticeofthewaiverTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
25(a)Anypersonrequestingawaivershallincludenoticeofthewaiverrequestinanypublicnoticethepersonmustprovideinaccordancewiththepublicnoticerequirementsoftherulesfromwhichthewaiverisrequested.
(b)TheDepartmentshallpublish,intheDEPBulletin,noticeof:1.
Itsdeterminationtoconsiderawaiver;and2.
Itsdecisiononeachwaiver.
7:1B-2.
4Rulewaiverandlimitations(a)IftheDepartmentdecidestowaivethestrictcomplianceofanyofitsrules,itshalldocumentitsdecisioninwritingtothepersontowhomthewaiverapplies,including;1.
Thenameandaddressofthepersontowhomthewaiverapplies;2.
Thespecificlocationtowhichthewaiverapplies;3.
Thespecificruleprovision(s)towhichthewaiverapplies;4.
Thebasisforitsdecisiononthewaiver;5.
Theduration,scope,andextentofthewaiver;6.
Anyconditionsonthewaivernecessarytomaintain,protect,andenhanceNewTHISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
26Jersey'snaturalresourcesandtoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare,andtheenvironment,including,butnotlimitedto:i.
Monitoringoftheenvironmentalimpactsoftheactivityapprovedaspartofthewaiver;ii.
Reportingofanyenvironmentalimpactsoftheactivityapprovedaspartofthewaiver;andiii.
Implementationofenvironmentaloffsets,ifapplicable,toensurethatthewaiverwouldresultinanetenvironmentalbenefit;7.
Anexplanation,ifapplicable,thattheproceduralrulesapplicabletoapermitauthorizationbeingissuedconcerningduration,renewal,revocability,andtransferapplytothewaiver;8.
NoticethattheDepartmentmayrevokethewaiverfornoncompliancewithanyconditioninthewaiver,orforthesubmissionoffalseorinaccurateinformation;and9.
Noticethatthepersontowhomthewaiverappliesshallbesubjecttoenforcementfornoncompliancewithanyconditioninthewaiver.
(b)TheDepartment'swaiverofthestrictcompliancewithoneofitsrulesshall:1.
BeconsideredawaiveronlyoftheapplicationoftheparticularruleprovisionthattheDepartmentidentifiesinitswaiverdecisionissuedunder(a)above;2.
Notconstituteawaiveroftherulegenerallyoranyotherprovisionofanyotherrulenotspecifiedinthewaiver;THISISACOURTESYCOPYOFTHISRULEPROPOSAL.
THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLBEPUBLISHEDINTHEMARCH7,2011,NEWJERSEYREGISTER.
SHOULDTHEREBEANYDISCREPANCIESBETWEENTHISTEXTANDTHEOFFICIALVERSIONOFTHEPROPOSAL,THEOFFICIALVERSIONWILLGOVERN.
273.
Notconstituteanapprovalofanyotheractivity,whetheratthelocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiveroranotherlocation;4.
Bevalidonlyastothepersonidentifiedinthewaiverortheparticularprojectorlocationthatisthesubjectofthewaiver,exceptastheapplicableprogram-specificrulesprovide;5.
Notbeautomaticallyrenewable,exceptasthewaiverorapplicableprogram-specificrulesprovide;6.
Notconstituteadefensetoajudicialoradministrativeenforcementactionforaviolationthatpredatesthewaiver;and7.
Notjustifyorotherwiseexcusepriorviolations,butmaybeusedtoresolvecontestedcasesorotherdisputes.
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