1161 - Eligible projects; priority ranking.

§   1161.    Eligible  projects;  priority  ranking.  Subject  to  the  provisions of section thirty-two of the chapter  of  the  laws  of  1996  which  added  this  section,  in  consultation  with the commissioner of  environmental  conservation,  the  commissioner  shall   establish   and  maintain  a  list  of potentially eligible projects and shall establish,  pursuant to rules and regulations, a  process  for  listing  potentially  eligible  projects  identified  by  potential  recipients and a priority  ranking system for the purpose  of  providing  financial  assistance  to  recipients  for  such  projects under this title.   In establishing such  system, the commissioner shall  take  into  account  the  public  health  significance  of such potentially eligible projects which shall include,  but need not be limited to, an  assessment  of  (i)  public  health  and  safety;  (ii)  population  affected;  (iii) attainment of state drinking  water quality goals and standards; (iv) taking  into  consideration  the  water  resources  management  strategy  pursuant to title twenty-nine of  article  fifteen  of  the  environmental  conservation  law;   and   (v)  compliance with state and federal law, rules and regulations.