a. Every person proposing to own or operate a leaf composting facility located on agricultural or horticultural land, or on lands owned or operated by a recognized academic institution, shall submit to the department for authorization a filing package which shall contain a site plan and any other information as may be prescribed by the department.
b. No owner or operator of a leaf composting facility located on agricultural or horticultural land, or on lands owned or operated by a recognized academic institution, which facility is authorized by the department pursuant to this act shall be subject to the registration requirements of section 5 of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-5) or the licensing requirements of P.L.1983, c.392 (C.13:1E-126 et seq.).