Findings, declarations, determinations

3. The Legislature finds and declares that to enhance and improve the quality of the environment and to protect and foster the public health of the citizens of New Jersey it is altogether fitting and proper to allow private entities who, pursuant to law, have applied for a permit for the purpose of building, installing, maintaining or operating any facility for the collection, treatment or discharge of any pollutant or for the purpose of implementing pollution prevention process modifications to commence with that building, installation, maintenance or operation or to implement those modifications while the Department of Environmental Protection is reviewing the permit application; and that authorizing such pre-approval actions would lead to the environmental benefits that would result from the timely building, installation, maintenance and operation of facilities and the prompt implementation of pollution prevention process modifications. The Legislature therefore determines that it is within the public interest to allow private entities who have applied for permits to build, install, maintain or operate any facility for the collection, treatment or discharge of any pollutant or for permits to implement pollution prevention process modifications to undertake such building, installation, maintenance or operation or to implement such process modifications while the department is reviewing their permit application, but with the clear and full understanding that they assume all risks for their actions. L.1994,c.101,s.3.