4:1B-9. Steering committee

a. There is hereby established a Steering Committee on the Agricultural Preserve Demonstration Program. Such steering committee shall be a local advisory body composed of elected officials and residents of the program area. The purpose of the steering committee shall be to provide the departments with local input concerning the implementation of the program. Membership on the steering committee shall be as follows:

(1) Two members appointed by the governing body of each municipality located within the program area;

(2) One member appointed by the planning board of each municipality located within the program area;

(3) Two members appointed by the county board of agriculture of each county located, in whole or part, within the program area;

(4) One member appointed by the county board of chosen freeholders of each county located, in whole or part, within the program area;

(5) One member appointed by the planning board of each county located, in whole or part, within the program area;

(6) The Secretary of Agriculture or his designated representative;

(7) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or his designated representative;

(8) Ex-officio members of the Legislature representing legislative districts located, in whole or part, within the program area.

b. The duties and responsibilities of the steering committee shall be:

(1) To communicate to residents and landowners in the program area the details of the program and the implications and effects of participation therein;

(2) To advise the departments on guidelines furnished to the owners of prime farmlands within the program area concerning the offer and sale of development easements to such land to the State;

(3) To advise the departments, following the receipt of development easements offers as provided by section 9 of this act, as to the compatibility of such easements with municipal and county zoning and master plans, and to make recommendations considering the suitability of such easements for inclusion in the program;

(4) To advise the departments on the guidelines used to appraise prime agricultural lands for overall market and agriculture value pursuant to section 8 of this act;

(5) To make recommendations to the departments, following the results of such appraisals, on the acquisition of such development easements.

L.1976, c. 50, s. 9, eff. July 22, 1976.