New Jersey P.L.1970, c.33

AN ACT relating to the organization and reorganization of the Executive Branch of the State Government, continuing the Department of Conservation and Economic Development as a principal department in the Executive Branch of the State Government to be known and designated as the Department of Environmental Protection, and revising parts of the statutory law.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

C.13:1D-1 Department reorganized and designated. 1. The Department of Conservation and Economic Development heretofore established as a principal department in the Executive Branch of the State Government is hereby reorganized, continued and designated as the Department of Environmental Protection, and the office of Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development is hereby continued and designated as the office of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

C.13:1D-2 Powers and duties continued. 2. Except as otherwise provided by this act, all the functions, powers and duties of the existing Department of Conservation and Economic Development and the commissioner thereof are continued in the Department of Environmental Protection as hereby designated and in the office of the commissioner thereof.

3. Section 5 of P.L.1948, chapter 448 (C.13:1B-5) is amended to read as follows:

C.13:1B-5 Divisions in department; assistants in Administrative Division; absence or disability of Commissioner. 5. a. There is hereby established in the Department of Environ- mental Protection, a Division of Environmental Quality, a division of Natural Resources, a Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries, a Division of Water Policy and Supply and a Division of Parks, Forestry and Recreation. 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.

C.13:1D-3 Division of Natural Resources; Natural Resource Council. 4. a. The Division of Resource Development, together with all of its functions, powers and duties is continued as the Division of Natural Resources in the Department of Environmental Protection. b. The Resource Development Council, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued as the Natural Resource Council in the Department of Environmental Protection. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law.

5. Section 9 of chapter 448 of the laws of 1948 (C.13:1B-9) is amended to read as follows:

C.13:1B-9 Powers and duties performed through Division of Natural Resources. 9. In addition to other functions, powers and duties vested in it by this act or by any other law, the department shall, through the Division of Natural Resources: a. Except as otherwise provided by law, act as the exclusive agency and instrumentality of the State for the acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes. b. Give due consideration to coordination with the plans of other departments of State Government with respect to land conservation, use or acquisition. For this purpose, the department is authorized to use the facilities of any interdepartmental committee or other agency suitable to assist in such coordination. c. Conduct or encourage research designed to further new and more extensive uses of the natural resources of the State. d. Cooperate with other State agencies and departments and with interstate and Federal departments and agencies, and with interested individuals and groups in the promotion and development of plans, policies and programs for the study, beneficial use, conservation and protection of natural resources within the State.

6. Section 11 of chapter 448 of the laws of 1948 (C.13:1B-11) is amended to read as follows:

C.13:1B-11 Formulation of policies. 11. The Natural Resource Council shall, subject to the approval of the commissioner: a. Advise on comprehensive policies with respect to land conservation, use or acquisition in cooperation with the Division of Environmental Quality. b. Formulate comprehensive policies for the prevention and control of beach erosion.

C.13:1D-4 Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries; powers and duties transferred to; transfer of certain councils. 7. a. All the functions, powers and duties of the Division of Fish and Game of the existing Department of Conservation and Economic Development, of the Fish and Game Council therein, and of the Division of Shell Fisheries of the existing Department of Conservation and Economic Development, and of the Shell Fisheries Council therein, and of the Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development relating to, or administered through said divisions, are transferred to and vested in the Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries established hereunder. b. The Fish and Game Council, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued as the Fish and Game Council in the Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries in the Department of Environmental Protection. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law. c. The Shell Fisheries Council, together with all of its functions, powers, and duties, is continued as the Shell Fisheries Council in the Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries in the Department of Environmental Protection. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law.

C.13:1D-5 Division of Environmental Quality; powers and duties transferred to. 8. The Division of Clean Air and Water established by Executive Notice No. 109, dated February 16, 1967, and Executive Notice No. 132 dated July 1, 1968 of the State Commissioner of Health pursuant to P.L.1947, chapter 177, section 5 (C.26:1A-5) together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is transferred to and constituted the Division of Environmental Quality in the Department of Environmental Protection. Such division, by and through its director, shall continue to have all of the powers and shall exercise all of the functions and duties vested in it or imposed upon it by said executive notices or by this or any other law.

C.13:1D-6 Division Director; appointment, salary, duties. 9. The Director of the Division of Environmental Quality shall be appointed by the commissioner, subject to the approval of the Governor, and shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The director shall receive such salary as shall be provided by law. The director shall administer the work of such division under the direction and supervision of the commissioner, and shall perform such other functions of the department as the commissioner may prescribe.

C.13:1D-7 Division of Environmental Quality; powers and duties transferred to; transfer of certain councils. 10. a. All the functions, powers and duties heretofore exercised by the Department of Health, the commissioner thereof, and of the Public Health Council relating to air pollution, water pollution, radiation protection, waters of this State, sewage, sewerage facilities, refuse disposal, and potable water supplies, including the licensing of water and sewerage treatment plant operators, are hereby transferred to, and vested in The Division of Environmental Quality and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, and including without limitation, those functions, powers and duties derived from the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," P.L.1954, chapter 212, P.L.1967, chapter 106, P.L.1966, chapter 16, P.L.1962, chapter 215 (C.26:2C-1 to 26:2C-25), the "Air Pollution Emergency Control Act (1967)," P.L.1967, chapter 108 (C.26:2C-26 to 26:2C-36), the "Radiation Protection Act," P.L.1958, chapter 116, P.L.1961, chapter 124 (C.26:2D-1 et seq.), the "State Public Sanitary Sewerage Facilities Act (1965)," P.L.1965, chapter 121 and P.L.1967, chapter 109 (C.26:2E-1 et seq.), P.L.1942, chapter 308 (C.58:11-9.1 to 58:11-9.11), P.L.1938, chapter 206 (C.58:11-18.1 to 58:11-18.5), P.L.1941, chapter 234 (C.58:11-18.7 to 58:11-18.9), P.L.1946, chapter 295 (C.58:11-18.10 to 58:11-18.22), the "Realty Improvement Sewerage Facilities Act (1954)," P.L.1954, chapter 199 (C.58:11-23 to 58:11-42), chapter 14 of Title 24 of the Revised Statutes (Oysters, Clams and other Shellfish), chapter 10 of Title 58 of the Revised Statutes (Pollution of Waters), chapter 11 of Title 58 of the Revised Statutes (Water and Sewerage Plants and Systems in General), chapter 12 of Title 58 of the Revised Statutes (Sewerage Districts and Sewerage District Boards), the "Water Conservation Bond Act," P.L.1969, chapter 127, P.L.1966, chapter 15 (C.39:3-70.1, 39:3-70.2), P.L.1966, chapter 127, and P.L.1967, chapter 104 (C.54:4-3.56 to 54:4-3.58), and all amendments and supplements to said acts and statutes. b. The Clean Air Council, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued, transferred and constituted the Clean Air Council in the Department of Environmental Protection. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law. c. The Clean Water Council, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued, transferred and constituted the Clean Water Council in the Department of Environmental Protection. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law. d. The Commission on Radiation Protection, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued, transferred and constituted the Commission on Radiation Protection in the Department of Environmental Protection. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the commission. The members of the commission shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law.

C.13:1D-8 Division of Environmental Quality; powers and duties transferred to. 11. All the functions, powers and duties heretofore exercised by the Department of Agriculture, the Secretary thereof, and the State Chemist therein, pursuant to the "Economic Poison Act of 1951," P.L.1951, chapter 316 and P.L.1969, chapter 116 (C.4:8A-1, et seq.), and all amendments and supplements to said acts, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Division of Environmental Quality established hereunder.

C.13:1D-9 Department's additional powers and duties. 12. The department shall formulate comprehensive policies for the conservation of the natural resources of the State, the promotion of environmental protection and the prevention of pollution of the environment of the State. The department shall in addition to the powers and duties vested in it by this act or by any other law have the power to: a. Conduct and supervise research programs for the purpose of determining the causes, effects and hazards to the environment and its ecology; b. Conduct and supervise State-wide programs of education including the preparation and distribution of information relating to conservation, environmental protection and ecology; c. Require the registration of persons engaged in operations which may result in pollution of the environment and the filing of reports by them containing such information as the department may prescribe to be filed relative to pollution of the environment, all in accordance with applicable codes, rules or regulations established by the department: d. Enter and inspect any building or place for the purpose of investigating an actual or suspected source of pollution of the environment and ascertaining compliance or noncompliance with any code, rules and regulations of the department. Any information relating to secret processes concerning methods of manufacture or production obtained in the course of such inspection, investigation or determination, shall be kept confidential and shall not be admissible in evidence in any court or in any other proceeding except before the department as herein defined. If samples are taken for analysis, a duplicate of the analytical report shall be furnished promptly to the person suspected of causing pollution of the environment; e. Receive or initiate complaints of pollution of the environment, including thermal pollution, hold hearings in connection therewith and institute legal proceedings for the prevention of pollution of the environment and abatement of nuisances in connection therewith and shall have the authority to seek and obtain injunctive relief and the recovery of fines and penalties in summary proceedings in the Superior Court; f. Prepare, administer and supervise State-wide, regional and local programs of conservation and environmental protection, giving due regard for the ecology of the varied areas of the State and the relationship thereof to the environment, and in connection therewith prepare and make available to appropriate agencies in the State technical information concerning conservation and environmental protection, cooperate with the Commissioner of Health in the preparation and distribution of environmental protection and health bulletins for the purpose of educating the public, and cooperate with the Commissioner of Health in the preparation of a program of environmental protection; g. Encourage, direct and aid in coordinating State, regional and local plans and programs concerning conservation and environmental protection in accordance with a unified State-wide plan which shall be formulated, approved and supervised by the department. In reviewing such plans and programs and in determining conditions under which such plans may be approved, the department shall give due consideration to the development of a comprehensive ecological and environmental plan in order to be assured insofar as is practicable that all proposed plans and programs shall conform to reasonably contemplated conservation and environmental protection plans for the State and the varied areas thereof; h. Administer or supervise programs of conservation and environmental protection, prescribe the minimum qualifications of all persons engaged in official environmental protection work, and encourage and aid in coordinating local environmental protection services; i. Establish and maintain adequate bacteriological, radiological and chemical laboratories with such expert assistance and such facilities as are necessary for routine examinations and analyses, and for original investigations and research in matters affecting the environment and ecology; j. Administer or supervise a program of industrial planning for environmental protection; encourage industrial plants in the State to undertake environmental and ecological engineering programs, and cooperate with the State Departments of Health and Labor and Industry in formulating rules and regulations concerning industrial sanitary conditions; k. Supervise sanitary engineering facilities and projects within the State, authority for which is now or nmy hereafter be vested by law in the department, and shall, in the exercise of such supervision, make and enforce rules and regulations concerning plans and specifications, or either, for the construction, improvement, alteration or operation of all public water supplies, all public bathing places, land fill operations and of sewerage systems and disposal plants for treatment of sewage, wastes and other deleterious matter, liquid, solid or gaseous, require all such plans or specifications, or either, to be first approved by it before any work thereunder shall be commenced, inspect all such projects during the progress thereof and enforce compliance with such approved plans and specifications; l. Undertake programs of research and development for the purpose of determining the most efficient, sanitary and economical ways of collecting, disposing or utilizing of solid waste; m. Construct and operate, on an experimental basis, incinerators or other facilities for the disposal of solid waste, provide the various municipalities and counties of this State, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Division of Local Finance in the Department of Community Affairs with statistical data on costs and methods of solid waste collection, disposal and utilization; n. Enforce the State air pollution, water pollution, conservation, environmental protection, waste and refuse disposal laws, rules and regulations; o. Acquire by purchase, grant, contract or condemnation, title to real property, for the purpose of demonstrating now methods and techniques for the collection or disposal of solid waste; p. Purchase, operate and maintain, pursuant to the provisions of this act, any facility, site, laboratory, equipment or machinery necessary to the performance of its duties pursuant to this act; q. Contract with any other public agency or corporation incorporated under the laws of this or any other State for the performance of any function under this act; r. With the approval of the Governor, cooperate with, apply for, receive and expend funds from, the Federal Government, the State Government, or any county or municipal government or from any public or private sources for any of the objects of this act; s. Make annual and such other reports as it may deem proper to the Governor and the Legislature evaluating the demonstrations conducted during each calendar year; t. Keep complete and accurate minutes of all hearings held before the commissioner or any member of the department pursuant to the provisions of this act. All such minutes shall be retained in a permanent record, and shall be available for public inspection at all times during the office hours of the department.

C.13:1D-10 Division of Economic Development; Division of Veterans' Services; certain councils; transfer of. 13. a. The Division of Economic Development, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued, transferred and constituted the Division of Economic Development in the Department of Labor and Industry. The Economic Development Council, together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued, transferred and constituted the Economic Development Council in the Department of Labor and Industry. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law. b. The New Jersey Area Redevelopment Authority, established pursuant to the laws of 1962, chapter 204, as amended and supplemented (C.13:1B-15.13 et seq.), together with all of its functions, powers and duties, is continued and transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the authority. The members of the authority shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law, except that the Commissioner of Banking shall serve as an ex officio member of the authority in the place and stead of the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance as heretofore. c. The functions, powers and duties of the Division of Veterans' Services in the Department of Conservation and Economic Development are transferred to and shall be exercised and performed by the Department of Institutions and Agencies through an appropriate organizational unit to be established by the Commissioner of Institutions and Agencies with the approval of the State Board of Control. The term of office of the Director of the Division of Veterans' Services shall expire on the effective date of this act. The Veterans' Services Council, together with all its functions, powers and duties, is continued and constituted the Veterans' Services Council in the Department of Institutions and Agencies. This act shall not affect the terms of office of the present members of the council. The members of the council shall continue to be appointed as provided by existing law.

C.13:1D-11 Certain grants and moneys transferred. 14. a. All appropriations, grants and other moneys available and to become available to any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection, are hereby transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder, and shall be available for the objects and purposes for which appropriated, subject to any terms, restrictions, limitations or other requirements imposed by State or Federal law. b. All appropriations, grants and other moneys available and to become available to any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been hereto assigned or transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Institutions and Agencies are hereby transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Institutions and Agencies, respectively, and shall be available for the objects and purposes for which appropriated, subject to any terms, restrictions, limitations or other requirements imposed by State or Federal law.

C.13:1D-12 Certain employees transferred. 15. a. Such employees of any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection or to any agency designated, continued or constituted therein, as the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may determine are needed for the proper performance of the functions and duties imposed upon the Department of Environmental Protection, or any agency therein, are hereby transferred to the department or agency to which such functions, powers and duties have been herein assigned or transferred. b. Such employees of any division, bureau, board, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Institutions and Agencies or to any agency designated, continued or constituted therein, are hereby transferred to the department or agency to which such functions, powers and duties have been herein assigned or transferred.

C.13:1D-13 Tenure and pension rights protected. 16. Nothing in this act shall be construed to deprive any person of any tenure rights or of any right or protection provided him by Title 11 of the Revised Statutes, Civil Service, or under any pension law or retirement system.

C.13:1D-14 Certain books, records and equipment transferred. 17. a. All files, books, papers, records, equipment and other property of any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection or to any agency designated, continued or constituted hereunder, shall upon the effective date of this act be transferred to the department or agency to which such assignment or transfer has been made hereunder. b. All files, books, papers, records, equipment and other property of any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Institutions and Agencies, shall upon the effective date of this act be transferred to the department or agency to which such assignment or transfer has been made hereunder.

C.13:1D-15 Rules and regulations continued. 18. This act shall not affect the orders, rules and regulations heretofore made or promulgated by any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection or to any agency designated, continued or constituted hereunder; but such orders, rules and regulations shall continue with full force and effect until amended or repealed pursuant to law. a. This act shall not affect the orders, rules and regulations heretofore made or promulgated by any division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Institutions and Agencies; but such orders, rules and regulations shall continue with full force and effect until amended or repealed pursuant to law.

C.13:1D-16 Pending actions or proceedings not affected. 19. This act shall not affect actions or proceedings, civil or criminal, brought by or against any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection or to any other department, or to any agency designated, continued or constituted hereunder, and pending on the effective date of this act, but such actions or proceedings may be prosecuted or defended in the same manner and to the same effect by the department or agency to which such assignment or transfer has been made hereunder, as if the foregoing provisions had not taken effect; nor shall any of the foregoing provisions affect any order or recommendation made by, or other matters or proceedings before, any department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been herein assigned or transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection or to any other department, or to any agency designated, continued or constituted hereunder, and all such matters or proceedings pending before such department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency on the effective date of this act shall be continued by the department or agency to which such assignment or transfer has been made hereunder, as if the foregoing provisions had not taken effect.

C.13:1D-17 Filing certain reports, certifications, applications or requests. 20. Unless specifically otherwise provided in this act or by any operative law, whenever, pursuant to existing law, reports, certifications, applications or requests are required or permitted to be made to a department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or other agency, whose powers and duties are herein assigned or transferred, such reports and certifications shall hereafter be required to be filed with, and such applications or requests shall hereafter be made to, the department or agency to which such assignment or transfer has been made hereunder.

C.13:1D-18 Certain references in laws, regulations, contracts or documents. 21. With respect to the functions, powers and duties hereby transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection, whenever in any law, rule, regulation, contract, document, judicial or administrative proceeding or otherwise, reference is made to the Department of Conservation and Economic Development, or the commissioner thereof, the same shall mean and refer to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, respectively. With respect to the functions, power and duties of the Department of Health and the commissioner thereof, which arc herein transferred and vested in the Division of Environmental Quality established hereunder, whenever in any law, rule, regulation, contract, document or otherwise, reference is made to the Department of Health, or the commissioner thereof, the same shall be deemed to mean and refer to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, respectively. Whenever the term "Division of Clean Air and Water" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Division of Environmental Quality in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term "Clean Air Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Clean Air Council in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term "Clean Water Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Clean Water Council in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term, "Commission on Radiation Protection" or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Commission on Radiation Protection in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term "Division of Fish and Game" or "Division of Shell Fisheries" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to refer to the Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries established hereunder. Whenever the term "Director of Fish and Game" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall b deemed to mean or refer to the Director of the Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries established hereunder. Whenever the term "Fish and Game Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Fish and Game Council in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term' "Shell Fisheries Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Shell Fisheries Council in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term "Director of Shell Fisheries" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Director of the Division of Fish, Game and Shell Fisheries established hereunder. Whenever the term "Division of Resource Development" or "Director of the Division of Resource Development" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Division of Natural Resources established hereunder and the director thereof, respectively. Whenever the term "Resource Development Council" or "Planning and Development Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Natural Resource Council established hereunder. Whenever the term "Division of Parks, Forestry and Recreation" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Division of Parks, Forestry and Recreation in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term "Parks, Forestry and Recreation Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Council in the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder. Whenever the term "Division of Water Policy and Supply" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Division of Water Policy and Supply in the Department of Environmental Protection. Whenever the term "Water Policy and Supply Council" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Water Policy and Supply Council in the Department of Environmental Protection. Whenever the term "Division of Economic Development" is referred to in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Division of Economic Development in the Department of Labor and Industry. Whenever the term "Economic Development Council" is referred to in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Economic Development Council in the Department of Labor and Industry. Whenever the term "Division of Veterans' Services" is referred to in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the organizational unit of the Department of Institutions and Agencies to be established pursuant to section 13 of this act. Whenever the term 'Veterans' Services Council" is referred to in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the Veterans' Services Council in the Department of Institutions and Agencies. With respect to the functions, powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture which are hereby transferred and vested in the Division of Environmental Quality established hereunder, whenever in any law, rile, regulation, contract, document or otherwise reference is made to the Department of Agriculture, the same shall mean and refer to the Department of Environmental Protection established hereunder.

22. The term of office of the Director of the Division of Shell Fisheries shall expire on the effective date of this act.

C.13:1D-19 Inconsistent acts repealed. 23. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with any of the provisions of this act are, to the extent of such inconsistency, superseded and repealed.

24. The provisions of this act shall become operative at the beginning of the biweekly pay period next following enactment. Anticipatory action may be taken in advance thereof including the making of authorized appointments, and confirmation or approval thereof, and, within the limits of funds available to the department, the expenditure of funds for payment of salaries and expenses incident thereto.

25. Section 122 of P.L.1948, chapter 448 (C.13:1B-71) is amended to read as follows:

C.13:1B-71 Short title. 122. This act shall be known as, and may be cited as, the "Department of Environmental Protection Act of 1970."

26. This act shall take effect immediately.

Approved April 22, 1970.