4:1C-7. Additional duties of committee

The committee shall:

a. Establish guidelines and adopt criteria for identification of agricultural lands suitable for inclusion in agricultural development areas and farmland preservation programs to be developed and adopted by a board applying for moneys from the fund;

b. Certify to the secretary that the board has approved the agricultural development area and the farmland preservation program within the area where matching grants from the fund shall be expended;

c. Review State programs and plans and any other public or private action which would adversely affect the continuation of agriculture as a viable use of the land in agricultural development areas and recommend any administrative action, executive orders or legislative remedies which may be appropriate to lessen these adverse effects;

d. Study, develop and recommend to the departments and agencies of State government a program of recommended agricultural management practices appropriate to agricultural development areas, municipally approved programs (provided that these practices shall not be more restrictive than for those areas not included within municipally approved programs) and other farmland preservation programs, which program shall include but not necessarily be limited to: air and water quality control; noise control; pesticide control; fertilizer application; soil and water management practices; integrated pest management; and labor practices;

e. Review and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove all applications for funds pursuant to the provisions of this act; and

f. Generally act as an advocate for and promote the interests of productive agriculture and farmland retention within the administrative processes of State government.

L.1983, c. 32, s. 6, eff. Jan. 26, 1983, operative Jan. 26, 1983.