N.J. Admin. Code § 7:14A-2.14

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 7:14A-2.14 - Specific criteria for concentrated aquatic animal production facilities

(a) Except for indirect discharges, a permit shall be obtained for any discharge from an animal production facility if the animal production facility meets the criteria in (b) below or is required to obtain a permit under (d) below.

(b) An animal production facility shall be considered a concentrated aquatic animal production facility if it is a hatchery, fish farm, or other facility that contains, grows, or holds aquatic animals in either of the following categories:

1. Cold water fish species, including but not limited to, the Salmonidae family of fish (for example, trout and salmon), or other cold water aquatic animals in ponds, raceways, or other similar structures which discharge at least 30 days per year, but does not include:

i. Facilities which produce less than 9,090 harvest weight kilograms (approximately 20,000 pounds) of aquatic animals per year; and

ii. Facilities which feed less than 2,272 kilograms (approximately 5,000 pounds) of food during the calendar month of maximum feeding.

2. Warm water fish species, including, but not limited to, the Ameiuride, Centrarchidae and Cyprinidae families of fish (for example, respectively, catfish, sunfish, and minnows), or other warm water aquatic animals in ponds, raceways, or other similar structures which discharge at least 30 days per year, but does not include:

i. Closed ponds which discharge only during periods of excess runoff; or

ii. Facilities which produce less than 45,454 harvest weight kilograms (approximately 100,000 pounds) of aquatic animals per year.

(c) Any aquatic animal production facility which does not meet the criteria in (b) above, shall submit the following information to the Department to determine if a permit is required:

1. The number and type of animals confined;

2. A description of the means of discharge; and

3. The name and address of the owner or operator.

(d) The Department shall require on a case-by-case basis any aquatic animal production facility to obtain a permit upon determining that:

1. It is a significant contributor of pollution to the waters of the State. In making this determination the Department shall consider the following factors:

i. The location and quality of the receiving waters of the State;

ii. The holding, feeding, and production capacities of the facility;

iii. The quantity and nature of the pollutants reaching waters of the State; and

iv. Other relevant factors.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:14A-2.14