The owner or operator of an industrial establishment may, upon submission of a written notice to the department, transfer ownership or operations or close operations without complying with the provisions of section 4 of P.L. 1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-9) if the total quantity of hazardous substances and hazardous wastes generated, manufactured, refined, transported, treated, stored, handled, or disposed of at the industrial establishment at any one time during the owner's or operator's period of ownership or operations:
N.J.S. § 13:1K-9.7