[§128D-2.6]  Ecological risk assessor. The department may establish a permanent exempt position for an ecological riskassessor for the purpose of assessing ecological risks and damages.  Theposition shall be appointed by the director without regard to chapter 76.  Thefunds for this position shall come from the environmental response revolvingfund established in section 128D-2; provided that the duties of the ecologicalrisk assessor shall bear a rational nexus to the intent and purposes of [thischapter]. [L 1999, c 211, §2; am L 2000, c 253, §150]