Bill > S3550

Introduced Session

This bill would provide that local government approval is not required for a forest stewardship plan. Under current law, a person who prepares a forest stewardship plan pursuant to P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-29 et seq.) is required to work with an approved forester or other professional, and obtain the approval of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Additionally, under the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), a landowner who prepares a forest stewardship plan for land in the pinelands area must also obtain the approval of the Pinelands Commission and the municipality in which the forested land is located. This multi-tiered review process is unduly burdensome for landowners, and adds cost and time delays to forest stewardship projects without adding any clear environmental benefits. Additionally, most municipal governments do not have the time, resources, or expertise to review and approve a forest stewardship plan, and so these plans can be held up in the municipal permitting process. Forest stewardship plans are already required to be approved by the DEP and, if applicable, the Pinelands Commission, to ensure compliance with appropriate forestry standards. The bill would prohibit a local government unit from enacting any ordinance, rule, or resolution that requires local government approval of a forest stewardship plan. The bill would also provide that the provisions of P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-29 et seq.) would supersede any municipal ordinance adopted prior to the effective date of this bill. Finally, the bill would provide that, notwithstanding the requirement in the law that a forest stewardship plan in the Pinelands comply with the CMP, local government approval of a forest stewardship plan is not required. This bill would streamline the review process for forest stewardship plans, while maintaining appropriate environmental protections.

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Bob Smith (D)*, 

Senate Environment and Energy Hearing (10:00 4/21/2021 Registration Form) (on 04/21/2021)