a. The department shall consolidate the processing of wetlands related aspects of other regulatory programs which affect activities in freshwater wetlands, including, but not limited to, sewer extension approvals required pursuant to P.L. 1977, c. 74 (C. 58:10A-1 et seq.), permits required pursuant to P.L. 1973, c. 185 (C. 13:19-1 et seq.), and any permits and approvals required pursuant to P.L. 1977, c. 75 (C. 58:11A-1 et seq.) and P.L. 1962, c. 19 (C. 58:16A-50 et seq.), with the freshwater wetlands permit process established herein so as to provide a timely and coordinated permit process consistent with the Federal Act.

b. Within 60 days after the department receives comment on a complete application for a permit from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or upon receipt of notice from the United States Environmental Protection Agency that no comment will be forthcoming, the department may hold a public hearing on the application for a permit. If such a hearing is held, it shall be in the county wherein the freshwater wetland is located whenever practicable. The department may issue or deny a permit without a public hearing, unless there is a significant degree of public interest in the application as manifested by written requests for a hearing within 20 days after the publication of notice of the permit application in the bulletin of the department.

c. The department shall issue or deny a permit within 90 days of receipt of comments, or notice that comments will not be forthcoming, from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or within 180 days of submittal of a complete application, whichever is later. Until the State assumes the implementation of the Federal Act, the department shall issue or deny a permit within 180 days of submittal of a complete application, except as may otherwise be provided by the Federal Act. The department shall review an application for a permit for completeness, and make any necessary requests for further information, within 30 days of receipt of the application for a permit; provided, however, that this deadline shall not apply to requests for further information made by the department on the basis of comments received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. If the department issues the permit, the department shall send notice thereof to the applicant. If the department denies, or requests a modification of, the complete permit application, the department shall send notice thereof to the applicant. The department may issue a permit imposing conditions necessary for compliance with this act and the “Water Pollution Control Act,” P.L. 1977, c. 74 (C. 58:10A-1 et seq.).

d. The fees authorized pursuant to sections 8, 9, and 17 of this act shall be dedicated to further the specific purposes of this act.

L. 1987, c. 156, s. 5.