[§196D-6]  Interagency group.  (a)  Thedepartment shall establish an interagency group comprised of those agencieswhose permitting functions are not transferred by section 196D-10 to thedepartment for the purposes of the project and which have jurisdiction over anyaspect of the project.  Each of these agencies shall designate an appropriaterepresentative to serve on the interagency group as part of therepresentative's official responsibilities.  The interagency group shallperform liaison and assisting functions as required by this chapter and thedepartment.  The department shall invite and encourage the appropriate federalagencies having jurisdiction over any aspect of the project to participate inthe interagency group.

(b)  The department and agencies shallcooperate with the federal agencies to the fullest extent possible to minimizeduplication between and, where possible, promote consolidation of federal andstate requirements.  To the fullest extent possible, this cooperation shallinclude, among other things, joint environmental impact statements withconcurrent public review and processing at both levels of government.  Wherefederal law has requirements that are in addition to but not in conflict withstate law requirements, the department and the agencies shall cooperate to thefullest extent possible in fulfilling their requirements so that all documentsshall comply with all applicable laws.

(c)  If the legislature establishes any publiccorporation or authority for the purposes of the project, then upon itsestablishment, the public corporation or authority shall be a member of theinteragency group. [L 1988, c 301, pt of §1]