1. a. The provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-51 et seq.) shall not apply in the case of conveyances by the State or the department involving an exchange of lands within the pinelands area, as defined in section 10 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C. 13:18A-11), or within the Hackensack Meadowlands District, as defined in section 4 of P.L.1968, c.404 (C. 13:17-4), or within the Highlands Region as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C. 13:20-3), to the federal government or any agency or entity thereof, another State agency or entity, or a local unit, provided the lands to be conveyed are used for recreation or conservation purposes, shall continue to be used for recreation or conservation purposes and it has been determined pursuant to subsection c. of this section that the proposed recreation and conservation purposes for the lands do not significantly alter the ecological and environmental value of the lands being exchanged.

b. Prior to any conveyance of lands that is exempted from the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-51 et seq.) pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall conduct at least one public hearing on the proposed conveyance in the municipality in which the lands proposed to be conveyed are located. The local unit proposing the recreation or conservation use of the lands being exchanged shall present its proposal for the use of the lands being exchanged at the public hearing, including a description of the proposed recreation or conservation use of the lands and any proposed alterations to the lands for the recreation or conservation purposes.

c. As a condition of any conveyance of lands that is exempted from the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C. 13:1D-51 et seq.) pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and prior to any public hearing required pursuant to subsection b. of this section, the Pinelands Commission, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, or the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, as appropriate, after consultation with the local units in which the lands to be conveyed are located, shall determine that the proposed recreation or conservation purpose does not significantly alter the ecological and environmental value of the lands being exchanged. The appropriate commission or council shall determine that the proposed recreation or conservation purpose does not significantly alter the ecological and environmental value of the lands being exchanged, if:

(1) the appropriate commission or council determines that any proposed recreation or conservation use of the lands being exchanged is consistent with the law, rules and regulations governing the protection and development of the pinelands area or pinelands preservation area, as appropriate and as defined in section 10 of P.L.1979, c.111 (C. 13:18A-11), the Hackensack Meadowlands District, as defined in section 4 of P.L.1968, c.404 (C. 13:17-4), or the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C. 13:20-3), and the requirements of the law, rules or regulations have been met to the satisfaction of the appropriate commission or council; and

(2) a portion of the lands would be maintained in an undeveloped or pre-conveyance state and no wetlands would be negatively affected in violation of State or federal law, or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

The determinations required pursuant to this subsection shall be made available to the public at the time of the public hearing required pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

d. For the purposes of this section, “local unit” means a municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the State, or any agency thereof authorized to administer, protect, develop and maintain lands for recreation and conservation purposes.

L.1995,c.306,s.1; amended by L.2004, c.120, s.49.