58:10A-5 Powers of department.

5. The department is empowered to:

a. Exercise general supervision of the administration and enforcement of this act and all rules, regulations and orders promulgated hereunder;

b. Assess compliance of a discharger with applicable requirements of State and federal law pertaining to the control of pollutant discharges and the protection of the environment and, also, to issue certification with respect thereto as required by section 401 of the federal act;

c. Assess compliance of a person with applicable requirements of State and federal law pertaining to the control of the discharge of dredged and fill material into the waters of the State and the protection of the environment and, also, to issue, deny, modify, suspend, or revoke permits with respect thereto as required by section 404 of the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972," as amended by the "Clean Water Act of 1977," (33 U.S.C.s.1344), and implementing regulations;

d. Advise, consult, and cooperate with other agencies of the State, the federal government, other states and interstate agencies, including the State Soil Conservation Committee, and with affected groups, political subdivisions and industries in furtherance of the purposes of this act;

e. Administer State and federal grants and other forms of financial assistance to municipalities, counties and other political subdivisions, or any recipient approved by the commissioner according to terms and conditions approved by him in order to meet the goals and objectives of this act. The department shall establish, charge and collect reasonable loan origination and annual administrative fees, which shall be based upon, and shall not exceed the estimated cost of processing, monitoring and administering the financial assistance programs. Said fees shall be deposited in a separate fund, administered by the department, and the funds used for the sole purpose of administering the financial assistance programs authorized and established by State law, including, but not limited to, the costs of administering the "Wastewater Treatment Fund - State Revolving Fund Accounts" established pursuant to P.L.1988, c.133.

L.1977,c.74,s.5; amended 1987, c.156, s.31; 2002, c.34, s.44.