19. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall adopt, within one year of the effective date of this act and pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), a comprehensive animal waste management program that shall provide for the proper disposal of animal wastes, including wastes generated from aquaculture. The animal waste management program shall include, but need not be limited to, criteria and standards for the composting, handling, storage, processing, utilization and disposal of animal wastes, the establishment of program compliance provisions including appropriate penalties for program noncompliance and violations, and may include provisions for the assessment of fees to cover reasonable administrative costs.

L.1997,c.236,s.19.