Section 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.