An applicant for a freshwater wetlands permit issued pursuant to this act may request the commissioner for an administrative hearing on any decision to issue or deny a permit made by the department pursuant to this act. Upon receipt of such a request, the commissioner shall refer the matter to the Office of Administrative Law, which shall assign an administrative law judge to conduct a hearing on the matter in the form of a contested case pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.). Within 45 days of receipt of the administrative law judge’s decision, the commissioner shall affirm, reject, or modify the decision. The commissioner’s action shall be considered the final agency action for the purposes of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” and shall be subject only to judicial review as provided in the Rules of Court.

L. 1987, c. 156, s. 20.