a. In addition to the other powers conferred by this act, the commission may acquire, in the name of the State, by purchase or otherwise, on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper, by the exercise of the power of eminent domain as hereinafter provided, and to lease, sell, or otherwise convey, as hereinafter provided, to hazardous waste industries, any land and other property which it may determine is reasonably necessary for a major hazardous waste facility or for the relocation or reconstruction of any highway by the commission and any and all rights, title, interest or option in that land and other property, including public lands, highways or parkways, owned by or in which the State or any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the State has any right, title or interest, or parts thereof or rights therein and any fee simple absolute or any lesser interest in private property, and any fee simple absolute in, easements upon, or the benefit of restrictions upon, abutting property for the purposes of this act.

b. Notwithstanding its land acquisition and conveyance powers provided in subsection a., the commission shall not implement those powers with respect to any land or interest therein unless:

(1) The site on which the facility would be constructed has been adopted by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this act;

(2) An agreement has been entered into between the commission and the hazardous waste industry whereby compensation for the land or any interest therein acquired by the commission will be provided by the hazardous waste industry;

(3) The hazardous waste industry has sought to obtain the land or any interest therein from the owner thereof in good faith bargaining; and

(4) The hazardous waste industry has already obtained the approval of the department for the registration statement and engineering design for the major hazardous waste facility to be constructed on the land.

c. Upon the exercise of the power of eminent domain by the commission, the compensation to be paid thereunder shall be ascertained and paid in the manner provided in the “Eminent Domain Act of 1971,” P.L.1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-1 et seq.), and the commission may file with the clerk of the Superior Court a declaration of taking in the manner provided in that act.

d. Nothing in this section shall authorize the exercise of the power of eminent domain for the acquisition of any land which has been specifically designated as a site for a solid waste disposal facility by any solid waste management district in any solid waste plan or amendment thereto approved by the department pursuant to the provisions of the “Solid Waste Management Act,” P.L.1970, c. 39 (C. 13:1E-1 et seq.), unless the prior approval of the affected solid waste management district shall have been obtained by the commission.

L.1981, c. 279, s. 33, eff. Sept. 10, 1981.