N.J. Admin. Code § 2:76-7.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 2:76-7.4 - Information about the project

(a) The information outlined in (d) below regarding the proposed action and project shall be required in the notice of intent submitted to the board and the Committee by the public body or public utility and shall be used, along with other relevant information, by the board and the Committee to evaluate the impact of the project on the agricultural activities in the Agricultural Development Area. If the board determines that further information is required to complete its evaluation, such information shall be submitted by the public body or public utility within 10 working days of the request.

(b) If a draft environmental impact statement has been prepared in connection with the proposed action or project and includes all of the information required in (d) below, then that statement, along with the information required in 2:76-7.3(c) and together with a cover letter to the board and the Committee stating that the enclosed statement is intended to serve as a notice of intent to undertake an action within an agricultural development area, shall fully comply with the notice requirement, provided that such statement is served upon the board and the Committee at least 30 days prior to the initiation of the proposed action.

(c) If a draft environmental impact statement prepared in connection with the proposed action or project does not contain all of the information required in (d) below, including the information required in 2:76-7.3(c), then that statement, together with all additional information necessary and a cover letter to the board and the Committee stating that the enclosed statement is intended to serve as a notice of intent to undertake an action within an agricultural development area, shall fully comply with the notice requirement, provided that such statement is served upon the board and the Committee at least 30 days prior to the undertaking of the proposed action.

(d) The following information must be submitted for each project:

1. The name of the public body or public utility involved, its address, telephone number and the name of a contact person.

2. The location and land use of the project as follows:

i. The location of the project, including:

(1) The municipality(ies), block and lot number(s) to the extent known;

(2) A key map adequately locating the site or proposed route of the project;

(3) The current use of the site; and

(4) The land use of area adjacent to the site, including:

(A) Current buffers between the project and farmland; and

(B) The proposed use of buffers between the project and farmland.

(C) Land use on adjacent lots.

ii. A description of the project, including:

(1) The type of project (utility, residential, commercial, industrial, etc.);

(2) The purpose of the project;

(3) The total area of the project;

(4) The phases of the project;

(5) The infrastructure required, including roads and utilities (water, electric, gas, etc.); and

(6) The alternatives considered, if any.

(7) The site plan, if available.

3. A discussion of farm activities impacts on the project through consideration of the following issues from the public body or public utility's perspective and identification of feasible solutions to these potential problems:

i. Potential complaints concerning noise from use of farm machinery, irrigation pumps or other equipment;

ii. Potential complaints concerning odors associated with livestock, poultry, crops or manure spreading;

iii. Potential complaints concerning use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers; and

iv. Potential dust problems.

4. A discussion of project impacts on farm activities, including:

i. Prevention of access to an actively farmed area;

ii. Potential increase in vandalism of farm equipment, buildings and/or crops;

iii. Potential increase in farm trespass;

iv. Potential increase in vehicle traffic;

v. Potential increase in litter (glass, plastic and/or paper) that may affect the farm operation; and

vi. Potential impact on aesthetics of the area.

5. A discussion of the project's impact on water resources with respect to the agricultural operation, including:

i. The following aspects of water diversion:

(1) Surface runoff affecting water bodies, including irrigation ponds;

(2) Groundwater aquifers affected; and

(3) Rechanneling of streams or water courses;

ii. The potential effect on surface and groundwater quality; and

iii. The site's function as a water recharge area.

N.J. Admin. Code § 2:76-7.4