NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Natural and Historic Resources
Office of Natural Lands Management

Notice of Rule Proposal
Natural Areas and Natural Area System Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:5A

Public Notice
Take notice that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection
is proposing to readopt the Natural Areas and Natural Areas
System rules at N.J.A.C. 7:5A with amendments. Amendments include
the following: definitions for “ecological community”,
“invasive species”, “Natural Heritage Database”,
“rare species habitat” and “timber”; revisions
to criteria for listing of sites on the Register of Natural
Areas; addition of new interim management practices addressing
invasive species, timber removal and motorized boating; revised
procedures for listing sites on the Register of Natural Areas,
adopting and amending natural area management plans, and amending
boundaries of natural areas; designation of one new natural
area (East Plains, Ocean County) to the Natural Areas System;
and corrections and editorial revisions.

The proposal was published in the New Jersey Register on June
21, 2004. A copy of the proposal is available from: Robert J.
Cartica, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
Office of Natural Lands Management, Division of Parks and Forestry,
P.O. Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625-0404, (609) 984-1339.

The June 21, 2004 proposal indicated that a public hearing
concerning the proposal was scheduled for July 20, 2004, 6:30
P.M., at the offices of the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, Office of Natural Lands Management. This public
hearing has been rescheduled as follows:

August 10, 2004 at 6:30 P.M.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Natural Lands Management
22 South Clinton Avenue
Station Plaza Building #4, 4th Floor
Trenton, New Jersey

The June 21, 2004 proposal indicated that written comments
on the proposal may be submitted to the Department by August
20, 2004. The Department is extending the public comment period
for an additional 30 days. Accordingly, written comments may
now be submitted by September 20, 2004 to:

NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Leslie W. Ledogar, Esquire
ATTN: DEP Docket No. 10-04-05/344
Office of Legal Affairs
410 East State Street
PO Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402