11. a. The department shall in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by rule and regulation, establish and charge reasonable administrative fees, which fees shall be based upon, and not exceed, the estimated cost of processing, monitoring, administering and enforcing the diversion permits issued by the department pursuant to the provisions of sections 6 and 7 of P.L.1981, c.262 (C. 58:1A-6 and 58:1A-7) or section 39 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C. 58:1A-5.1).

Any person who is required to apply for and obtain a water use registration pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the department to administer and enforce the provisions of P.L.1981, c.262 (C. 58:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.1993, c.202 (C. 58:1A-7.3 et al.) or P.L.2004, c.120 (C. 13:20-1 et al.) shall, in conjunction with a completed registration form, submit an initial registration fee.

Each person who holds a valid water use registration shall pay an annual renewal fee.

An annual renewal fee shall not be charged for a volunteer fire company created pursuant to N.J.S. 40A:14-70.1

b. The department shall deposit the fees in the “Environmental Services Fund” created by P.L.1975, c.232 (C. 13:1D-30 et seq.). There shall be annually appropriated an amount equivalent to the amount anticipated to be collected as fees by the department for the administration of the water supply management program.

L.1981,c.262,s.11; amended 2006, c.90.