This bill amends the Spill Compensation and Control Act to enhance transparency regarding settlements that involve natural resource damages. Specifically, it mandates that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must publish a website link to the relevant natural resource damage assessment report and restoration plans and projects when such damages are addressed in a settlement. This requirement is in addition to the existing obligations for the DEP to publish details about the case, the parties involved, the property location, and a summary of the settlement terms, including any monetary payments.

The bill stipulates that this information must be made available at least 60 days prior to the DEP's agreement to any administrative or judicially approved settlement. Furthermore, the DEP is required to provide written notice of the settlement, including the newly mandated information, to all parties involved in the case and any other potentially responsible parties known to the department at the time of publication. This legislative change aims to ensure greater public awareness and accountability in the handling of natural resource damages.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58:10-23.11