[§196D-4]  Consolidated permit applicationand review process.  (a)  The department is designated as the lead agencyfor the purposes of this chapter and, in addition to its existing functions,shall establish and administer the consolidated permit application and reviewprocess provided for in this chapter, which shall incorporate the permittingfunctions of those agencies involved in the development of the project whichare transferred by section 196D-10 to the department to effectuate the purposesof this chapter.

(b)  The consolidated permit application andreview process shall incorporate:

(1)  A list of all permits required for the project;

(2)  The role and functions of the department as thelead agency and the interagency group;

(3)  All permit review and approval deadlines;

(4)  A schedule for meetings and actions of theinteragency group;

(5)  A mechanism to resolve any conflicts that mayarise between or among the department and any other agencies, including anyfederal agencies, as a result of conflicting permit, approval, or otherrequirements, procedures, or agency perspectives;

(6)  Any other administrative procedures related tothe foregoing; and

(7)  A consolidated permit application form to be usedfor the project for all permitting purposes.

(c)  The department shall perform all of thepermitting functions for which it is currently responsible and which aretransferred to it by section 196D-10 for the purposes of the project, and shallcoordinate and consolidate all required permit reviews by other agencies, andto the fullest extent possible by all federal agencies, having jurisdictionover any aspect of the project. [L 1988, c 301, pt of §1]