a. Any public body or public utility which intends to exercise the power of eminent domain, pursuant to the provisions of the “Eminent Domain Act of 1971,” P.L. 1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-1 et seq.), for the acquisition of land included in an agricultural development area, or which intends to advance a grant, loan, interest subsidy or other funds within an agricultural development area for the construction of dwellings, commercial or industrial facilities, transportation facilities, or water or sewer facilities to serve nonfarm structures, shall file a notice of intent with the board and the committee, the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, 30 days prior to the initiation of this action. This notice shall contain a statement of the reasons for the acquisition and an evaluation of alternatives which would not include action in the agricultural development area.

b. Within 30 days of the receipt of this notice of intent, the board and the committee shall review the proposed action to determine its effect upon the preservation and enhancement of agriculture in the agricultural development area, the municipally approved program, and upon overall State agricultural preservation and development policies. If the board or the committee finds that the proposed action would cause unreasonably adverse effects on the agricultural development area, or State agricultural preservation and development policies, the board or the committee may direct that no action be taken thereon for 60 days, during which time a public hearing shall be held by the board or the committee in the agricultural development area and a written report containing the recommendations of the board or the committee concerning the proposed acquisition or development project shall be made public. Notice of the hearing shall be afforded in accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” P.L. 1975, c. 231 (C. 10:4-6 et seq.).

c. The secretary may, upon finding that the provisions of this section have been violated, request the Attorney General to bring an action to enjoin the acquisition or development project.

L.1983, c. 32, s. 12, eff. Jan. 26, 1983, operative Jan. 26, 1983.