13:1B-5. Divisions in department; assistants in administrative division; designation of deputy

a. There is hereby established in the Department of Environmental Protection, a Division of Environmental Quality, a Division of Marine Services, a Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries, a Division of Water Resources, and a Division of Parks and Forestry.

The commissioner shall have authority to organize and maintain in his offices an administrative division and to assign to employment therein such secretarial, clerical and other assistants in the department as his office and the internal operations of the department shall require, and the commissioner shall have authority to direct and coordinate the uses of all public lands under the jurisdiction of the department.

In addition, the commissioner shall have the authority to reorganize the department and the several divisions established therein, into such offices, bureaus and agencies which he deems to be necessary and desirable.

b. The commissioner may designate any officer or employee in the department to perform all of the powers, functions and duties of the commissioner during the absence or disability of the commissioner. Such designation shall be subject to the approval of the Governor, and shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary of State. In the event that the commissioner shall die, resign or be removed from office or become disqualified to execute the duties of his office or a vacancy shall occur in the office of the commissioner for any cause whatever, the person designated as aforesaid shall have and exercise the powers and perform the functions, powers and duties of the commissioner until the successor of the commissioner is appointed and shall qualify.

L.1948, c. 448, p. 1785, s. 5. Amended by L.1961, c. 47, p. 497, s. 2; L.1965, c. 21, s. 9; L.1966, c. 54, s. 7, eff. July 1, 1966; L.1970, c. 33, s. 3, eff. April 22, 1970; L.1971, c. 133, s. 1, eff. May 6, 1971.