1. a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, a person shall not perform, except in accordance with the provisions of this act, tank services on an underground storage tank at an underground storage tank site required for purposes of complying with the provisions of P.L.1986, c.102 (C. 58:10A-21 et seq.), including, but not limited to, tank testing, tank installation, tank removal, tank repair, installation of monitoring systems, and subsurface evaluations for corrective action, closure, and corrosivity. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, a person shall not perform, except in compliance with the provisions of this act, tank testing, tank installation, tank removal, tank closure, or subsurface evaluations for corrective action, closure or corrosivity on an unregulated heating oil tank. Routine maintenance performed on appurtenant pipes, lines, fixtures, and other related equipment on an unregulated heating oil tank may be performed by a person who is not certified pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1991, c.123 (C. 58:10A-24.3).

b. Subsection a. of this section shall not apply to a person performing tank closure on an underground storage tank located on a farm or an unregulated heating oil tank located on a farm. A person performing tank closure on an underground storage tank located on a farm or an unregulated heating oil tank located on a farm shall comply with the guidelines and the criteria established pursuant to subsection c. of this section. For the purposes of this section, “farm” shall mean land that qualifies for a special tax assessment pursuant to the “Farmland Assessment Act of 1964,” P.L.1964, c.48 (C. 54:4-23.1 et seq.), or any land less than five acres in area that would otherwise qualify for that farmland assessment and that has produced agricultural or horticultural products with a wholesale value of $10,000 or more annually for at least the two successive years immediately preceding the year in which the tank removal is performed.

c. Within 90 days of the effective date of P.L.1997, c.430, the department shall implement guidelines establishing a protocol for the performance of tank closures on a farm. Within 18 months of the effective date of P.L.1997, c.430, the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Committee, shall, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt criteria for the performance of tank closures on farms. Both the guidelines and the criteria shall be developed with the objectives of reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of the process of tank closure while also ensuring environmental protection and public safety.

L.1991,c.123,s.1; amended 1997, c.430, s.1; 1999, c.322, s.2.