This bill amends the existing Prescribed Burn Act to establish specific deadlines and requirements for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in implementing a prescribed burn program. It mandates that the DEP develop and administer a program that ensures prescribed burns are conducted on a minimum of 50,000 acres in the pinelands area and an additional 10,000 acres statewide each year. All prescribed burns must occur between November and March, prior to the wildfire season, and the DEP is required to publish a burn calendar on its website. The bill also emphasizes the importance of creating burn plans for State-owned lands that are at high risk of wildfires.

In addition to these requirements, the bill introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding training certifications for individuals conducting prescribed burns. It establishes a training program and Mobile Prescribed Burn Units to assist with on-site training and the execution of burn plans. The DEP is tasked with notifying local governments and landowners about prescribed burns and addressing any objections from landowners. The department must adopt rules and regulations to finalize the prescribed burn program within 18 months of the bill's enactment, ensuring a structured approach to wildfire management and resource conservation in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:9-44.13, 13:9-44.14, 13:9-44.15