Section 13:9B-11 - Determination of public interestIn determining whether a proposed regulated activity in any freshwater wetland is in the public interest, the department shall consider the following:
a. the public interest in preservation of natural resources and the interest of the property owners in reasonable economic development;b. the relative extent of the public and private need for the proposed regulated activity;c. where there are unresolved conflicts as to resource use, the practicability of using reasonable alternative locations and methods, including mitigation, to accomplish the purpose of the proposed regulated activity;d. the extent and permanence of the beneficial or detrimental effects which the proposed regulated activity may have on the public and private uses for which the property is suited;e. the quality of the wetland which may be affected and the amount of freshwater wetlands to be disturbed;f. the economic value, both public and private, of the proposed regulated activity to the general area; andg. the ecological value of the freshwater wetlands and probable impact on public health and fish and wildlife.