Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes exemption for solar panel installation in certain wetland areas on farmland.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning certain types of energy generation in certain wetland areas on farmland, and supplementing P.L.1987, c.156 (C.13:9B-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. In addition to the exemptions provided pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1987, c.156 (C.13:9B-4) but notwithstanding the limitations on such exemptions specified pursuant to that section, installation of solar panels shall be a regulated activity exempt from the requirement of a freshwater wetlands permit and transition area requirements, provided that:
a. The land on which the solar panels are to be installed has been in agricultural or horticultural use for three years or more; and
b. The only indication that the land is freshwater wetlands or a transition area is the presence of hydrologic soils as determined by soil sampling.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides an exemption from the requirement of a freshwater wetlands permit and transition area requirements for installation of solar panels, if:
1) the land on which the solar panels are to be installed has been in agricultural or horticultural use for three years or more; and
2) the only indication of wetlands on the land is the presence of hydrologic soils as determined by soil sampling.