NJ A4011

Commercial farm developments creating 1.25 acres or less of regulated impervious surface, regulated motor vehicle surface, or a combination thereof would be exempt from "major development" classification under New Jersey stormwater management rules.

Exempt commercial farms would not be subject to the permitting requirements or fees associated with major developments under DEP regulations at N.J.A.C.7:8-1.1 et seq.

The Department of Environmental Protection may adopt new rules and regulations for these commercial farm developments, provided they are less stringent than major development requirements.

Current major development thresholds apply to projects disturbing one or more acres of land or creating one-quarter acre or more of impervious or motor vehicle surface since February 2004 and March 2021 respectively.

The bill's sponsor cites a case where stormwater compliance costs for a hay barn construction doubled project costs from $250,000 to $500,000 due to basin creation, engineering, and permitting fees.