Coastal Zone Management Rules: What You Need to Know about the New Changes

Starting July 6, 2015, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) consolidated the Coastal Permit Program Rules and the Coastal Zone Management Rules into one unified chapter, now known as the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) rules.

This consolidation is just one part of the DEP’s ongoing effort to adapt and streamline the various operations of the land use permitting programs that had been administered by the Division of Land Use Regulation. By streamlining the Coastal Permit Program and Coastal Zone Management rules into the CZM, there is now a single, comprehensive set of rules to govern land use in the coastal area. Additionally, the DEP is anticipated to amend the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, which will allow them to align these three major programs’ processes as closely as their respective statutes allow.

In the case of the CZM, it has amended the various standards of the DEP’s rules regarding the use, development and protection of NJ’s coastal resources. This also covers the rules related to both dredging and dredged material management, as well as marina development and management and also mitigation.

What Does this Change Mean?

Change can often seem intimidating, but the Coastal Zone Management rules combination of adopted amendments, repeals and new rules will be beneficial in the long run. This change will streamline functions, re-engineer business processes, and leverage technology to eliminate excess paperwork, by providing access to DEP applications and forms online.

The full CZM adoption is already available online, on the DEP’s Rules and Regulations website, here. Meanwhile, all of the CZM’s checklists and new application form are available on their Forms and Checklists page, here. As of July 6th, all new applications for the CZM must be completed on the new form.

If you need help with the CZM or other waterfront issues, Two Rivers Title Company is here to assist.  If we can’t answer your questions, we have a network of attorneys, engineers, surveyors and insurance agents which we can refer you to for expert guidance in these sensitive matter. For more information on how Two Rivers Title can help, contact us today.