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N.J.S.A. 13:1B-15.128 et seq.

13:1B-15.128. New Jersey Register of Historic Places
A New Jersey Register of Historic Places is established in the Division of Parks, Forestry and Recreation of the Department of Environmental Protection to consist of a permanent record of areas, sites, structures and objects within the State determined to have significant historical, archeological, architectural or cultural value.

L.1970, c. 268, s. 1, eff. Nov. 4, 1970.

13:1B-15.129. Approval of sites, structures, etc.; notice to owner
The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, with the advice and recommendations of the Historic Sites Council, shall establish criteria for receiving and processing nominations and approval of areas, sites, structures and objects, both publicly and privately owned, for inclusion in the Register of Historic Places, together with appropriate documentation thereof to be included and maintained in the register and for the public identification of such historic places by appropriate plaques or documentation. The owners of all areas, sites, structures or objects approved for inclusion in the register shall be provided with appropriate written notification thereof by the department.

L.1970, c. 268, s. 2, eff. Nov. 4, 1970.

13:1B-15.130. State aid
No State funds shall be expended for, or in aid of, acquisition, preservation, restoration or maintenance as a historic place or site of any area, site, structure or object unless and until the same shall be approved for inclusion in the Register of Historic Places, but this section shall not apply to presently owned or maintained State Historic Sites.

L.1970, c. 268, s. 3, eff. Nov. 4, 1970.

13:1B-15.131. Encroachment upon or damage to historic place; authorization; public hearing
The State, a county, municipality or an agency or instrumentality of any thereof shall not undertake any project which will encroach upon, damage or destroy any area, site, structure or object included in the Register of Historic Places without application to, and the prior written authorization or consent of, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. The commissioner shall solicit the advice and recommendations of the Historic Sites Council in connection with any such application and may direct the conduct of a public hearing or hearings thereon prior to granting or denying authorization or consent. The failure of the commissioner to authorize, consent or deny any such application within 120 days of application therefor shall constitute his consent thereto.

L.1970, c. 268, s. 4, eff. Nov. 4, 1970.

13:1B-15.131a Preservation of certain Civil War monuments.
1. a. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Historic Sites Council, shall use volunteer services of appropriate historical organizations and the resources of the department to conduct, and update on a periodic basis, a survey of Civil War monuments located within this State. Civil War monuments which, based on the results of the survey, are determined to have significant historical value shall be included in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.

1. b. In addition to the protections provided by section 4 of P.L.1970, c.268 (C.13:1B-15.131), the State, a county or municipality, or an instrumentality thereof, shall not approve any application or permit for any activity which will encroach upon, damage or destroy any Civil War monument listed in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places without first applying for the authorization of the commissioner in the manner provided in that section.

1. c.As used in this section, "Civil War monument" means any area, site, structure or object, publicly or privately owned, relating to the American Civil War.

L.1999,c.377,s.1.

13:1B-15.132. Appropriation
There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the New Jersey Register of Historic Places such sums as shall be included in any annual or supplemental appropriation act.

L.1970, c. 268, s. 5, eff. Nov. 4, 1970.

N.J.S.A. 13:1B-15.108 et seq.

13:1B-15.108. Historic sites council; members; terms; compensation; vacancies; removal
Within the Division of Parks, Forestry and Recreation of the Department of Conservation and Economic Development there shall be an Historic Sites Council consisting of 11 members. Each member of the council shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among citizens of New Jersey or persons otherwise associated with the State who are known for their competence and experience in connection with historic sites preservation and related areas, to serve for a term of 4 years from the date of his appointment, except that of those first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of 1 year, 2 for 2 years, 4 for 3 years, and 4 for 4 years. Members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The members of the council shall elect annually a chairman and vice-chairman from their number. The council shall organize and adopt procedures for the conduct of its business. The director or an employee of the division designated by him shall serve as secretary of the council. The chairman of the council shall be its presiding officer. Any vacancies in the membership of said council occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the unexpired term only. Any member of the council may be removed from office by the Governor, for cause, upon notice and opportunity to be heard.

L.1967, c. 124, s. 1, eff. June 21, 1967.

13:1B-15.109. Use of division employees
Insofar as possible, the council shall make use of the employees of the division in carrying out the provisions of this act.

L.1967, c. 124, s. 2, eff. June 21, 1967.

13:1B-15.110. Powers and duties of council
The Historic Sites Council shall consult with and advise the commissioner and the director with respect to the work of the division.

The council, in addition to other powers and duties vested in it, shall recommend programs and policies for:

a. The acquisition, development, use, improvement and extension of historic sites, including archeological sites.

b. The development of a broad historic sites preservation program on a State-wide and local basis.

c. The identification, authentication, protection, preservation, conservation, restoration, and management of all historic sites within the State.

L.1967, c. 124, s. 3, eff. June 21, 1967.