4. a. For the purposes of section 1 of P.L.2005, c.367 (C. 52:32-45), the department shall establish a forest certification program under which the department may certify that forest land is managed in a sustainable manner, provided that:

(1) the owner has obtained a forest stewardship plan approved by the department pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C. 13:1L-31); and

(2) the owner and a forester or other professional selected by the owner from a list of foresters approved by the department, or from a list of other professionals authorized by the department in consultation with the forest stewardship advisory committee established pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C. 13:1L-36), has annually attested to full compliance with the forest stewardship plan for at least two years.

b. Certification pursuant to subsection a. of this section, or renewal thereof, shall be in accordance with procedures established by the department and shall be valid for five years, except that the department may withdraw certification if the department determines that the owner has failed to maintain full implementation of the forest stewardship plan. To maintain in good standing the certification of forest land beyond the date that a forest stewardship plan expires, the owner shall obtain the department’s approval of a new or revised forest stewardship plan pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C. 13:1L-31) prior to the expiration date of the current forest stewardship plan.

L.2009, c.256, s.4.