The department shall develop a system for the classification of freshwater wetlands based upon criteria which distinguish among wetlands of exceptional resource value, intermediate resource value, and ordinary resource value.
a. Freshwater wetlands of exceptional resource value shall be freshwater wetlands which exhibit any of the following characteristics:
(1) Those which discharge into FW-1 waters and FW-2 trout production (TP) waters and their tributaries; or
(2) Those which are present habitats for threatened or endangered species, or those which are documented habitats for threatened or endangered species which remain suitable for breeding, resting, or feeding by these species during the normal period these species would use the habitat. A habitat shall be considered a documented habitat if the department makes a finding that the habitat remains suitable for use by the specific documented threatened and endangered species, based upon information available to it, including but not limited to, information submitted by an applicant for a freshwater wetlands permit. An applicant shall have the opportunity to request the department that a documented habitat not result in the classification of a freshwater wetland as a freshwater wetland of exceptional value if the applicant can demonstrate the loss of one or more requirements of the specific documented threatened or endangered species, including, but not limited to wetlands or overall habitat size, water quality, or vegetation density or diversity...
d. As used in this section “threatened or endangered species” shall be those species identified pursuant to “The Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act,” P.L.1973, c. 309 (C. 23:2A-1 et seq.) or which appear on the federal endangered species list...
Citation: N.J.S.A. 13:9B-7.
a. The Legislature finds and declares that forest lands are critical to the environmental welfare of the State; that forest lands help clean and refresh the air by filtering dust and particulates(,) that forest lands absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to reduce global warming(,) that forest lands help clean and protect the waters of the State, promote replenishment of aquifers, stabilize soils, provide shade, and provide habitat essential to sustaining New Jersey's native biodiversity, including habitat critical for endangered and threatened species and species of special concern; and that it is proper to consider the management of forests in a sustainable manner as an agricultural or horticultural use which yields public benefits...
e. The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to establish a forest stewardship program to develop and promote the long-term active management of the State's forest resources in order to preserve and enhance those resources and realize the benefits thereof.
Citation: N.J.S.A. 13:1L-29.
a. No lands acquired or developed by the State with Green Acres funds, or acquired or developed by the State in any other manner and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, or any agency of the department, may be conveyed unless the department first:
(1) Prepares a report identifying the reasons for, and all advantages and disadvantages and benefits and detriments of, the proposed conveyance; assessing the environmental and recreational impact of that proposed conveyance, including, but not limited to, the impact on endangered species and nongame species as defined and regulated pursuant to P.L.1973, c. 309 (C.23:2A-1 et seq.), and endangered plant species as defined and regulated pursuant to P.L.1989, c. 56 (C.13:1B-15.151 et seq.); and assessing the environmental and economic value of the lands proposed to be conveyed under both their current and proposed uses...
Citation: N.J.S.A. 13:1D-52.