1. Within 12 months of the effective date of this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall develop a technical manual for each class or category of permit, as established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1991, c.423 (C. 13:1D-105), issued by the department. Each manual shall define the procedural and substantive requirements for the completion of an application for a class or category of permit and the review thereof, and shall clarify departmental policies and interpretations of any laws, rules, and regulations relating to the filing and review of the application. Each technical manual shall also:

a. Provide a detailed summary and explanation of any policy considerations not otherwise identified by law, rule, or regulation that are used in the department’s review and consideration of the permit application;

b. Detail and clarify the department’s interpretation of any standards or other requirements that do not have a fixed meaning or are not defined by law, rule, or regulation, including, but not limited to, identification or stipulation of state-of-the-art control technologies and best management practices; and

c. Include any other general information about department policies that would facilitate the preparation by an applicant, and the review by the department, of an application.

d. Adoption of a technical manual, or of revisions thereto, shall not be subject to the notice and publication requirements of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.).

As used in this act:

“Permit” shall have the same meaning as in section 1 of P.L.1991,c.421 (C. 13:1D-101).

L.1991,c.422,s.1.