Powers, duties, responsibilities of council

4. a. The council shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities: (1) to request from the commissioner any information concerning ecosystem-based management as it may deem necessary; (2) to consider any matter relating to the protection, maintenance, and restoration of coastal and ocean resources; (3) to submit, from time to time, to the commissioner any recommendations which the council deems necessary that will protect, maintain and restore coastal and ocean resources; (4) to study ecosystem-based management approaches; (5) to study any policies, plans, and rules and regulations adopted by the department that impact coastal and ocean resources; (6) to study and investigate coastal and habitat protection; (7) to coordinate and develop plans for a research agenda on ecosystem-based management; (8) to consider data and any other relevant information on the overall health of New Jersey's coastal and ocean resources in order to document how the State is meeting the goal of protecting, maintaining and restoring healthy coastal and ocean ecosystems; and (9) to hold public hearings at least once a year to take testimony from the public concerning ecosystem-based management approaches. b. The council shall present a report of its activities, findings, and recommendations to the commissioner within one year after its organizational meeting, and biennially thereafter. Copies of the report shall also be submitted to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.