Ending a tortuous road for revisions to the Coastal Zone Management and Coastal Permit Program Rules ("CAFRA"), NJDEP has issued final revisions to the regulations. The rules govern issuance of CAFRA, Waterfront Development, and Coastal Wetlands permits. The revisions were prompted by a legislative mandate to "closely coordinate" the regulations with the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan ("State Plan"), and have met strong criticism throughout the rulemaking process. The final regulations leave intact NJDEP's initial concept for "close coordination"-- linking impervious cover and vegetative cover requirements for a site within the CAFRA area to that site's designation under the State Plan. The revisions are effective as of February 7, 2000.
