Section 916. Benefits of approved waterfront revitalization programs

In
  recognition of the state policy set forth in this article  to  encourage
  the revitalization of waterfront areas in a manner consistent with local
  objectives,  the following benefits shall apply where a local government
  waterfront revitalization program has been approved pursuant to  section
  nine hundred fifteen or section nine hundred fifteen-a of this article.
    1.  a. The secretary shall examine programs operated by state agencies
  which may have the potential to affect the policies and purposes  of  an
  approved  waterfront  revitalization  program.  Such  examination  shall
  include  programs  which  involve   issuance   of   permits,   licenses,
  certifications  and  other forms of approval of land use or development,
  the provision of grants, loans and other funding assistance which  leads
  to  or  influences land use or development, directly undertaken land use
  or development and planning  activities.  The  secretary  shall,  within
  sixty  days  after  approval  of  a  waterfront  revitalization program,
  identify actions under such state agency programs which  are  likely  to
  affect  the  achievement  of  the policies and purposes of such approved
  program, and shall notify the affected state agency. The  secretary  may
  at  any  time  identify additional actions and notify the affected state
  agencies thereof.
    b. The state agency program actions so identified shall be  undertaken
  in  a  manner which is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with
  the  approved  waterfront  revitalization  program.  Reviews  by   state
  agencies  of  proposed  actions  to  determine consistency with approved
  waterfront revitalization programs shall be coordinated with and made  a
  part  of  other agency procedures, including reviews conducted under the
  state environmental quality review act as provided in article  eight  of
  the environmental conservation law.
    2.  The office of business permits shall conduct continuing studies of
  means of expediting development called for  in  approved  programs.  The
  secretary  shall assist the office of business permits in the conduct of
  such studies, which should address  the  consolidation,  simplification,
  expediting  or  otherwise  improving  permit procedures which may affect
  development called for in such  areas  taking  into  account  the  state
  policy  set  forth  in  this  article  to provide consistency of program
  actions at all levels of government for such areas.
    3.  The  secretary  shall  consult  and  work  with  state   agencies,
  including,  but  not  limited to, the urban development corporation, the
  job development authority, the environmental facilities corporation, the
  office  of  parks,  recreation  and  historic   preservation   and   the
  departments  of  economic  development  and  transportation,  to seek to
  identify  additional   means   of   effectuating   approved   waterfront
  revitalization  programs.  The  secretary  shall make recommendations to
  local, state and federal agencies and the legislature, as appropriate.