The Department shall adopt objective standards and criteria to identify “projects of state significance” which standards and criteria shall be used by the Department in evaluating projects in the State requiring the review or approval of the Department. The process to be followed by the Department in the adoption of said objective standards and criteria shall include the following:

(1) In making the determination of whether any proposed project is a project of state significance, the Department shall consider, without limitation, the following factors:

a. Environmental impact, including, without limitation, probable air, land and water pollution likely to be generated by the proposed use under normal operating conditions and as the result of mechanical malfunction and human error; likely destruction of wetlands and flora and fauna; impact and effect of site preparation and facility operations on land erosion, drainage of the area in question, especially as it relates to flood control, and the quality and quantity of surface and ground water resources, such as the use of water for processing, cooling, effluent removal and other purposes; and the likelihood of generation of glare, heat, noise, vibration, radiation, electromagnetic interference and obnoxious odors.

b. Economic effect, including, without limitation, the number of jobs created and the income which will be generated by the wages and salaries of these jobs in relation to the amount of land required, and the amount of tax revenues potentially accruing to state and local government.

c. Effect on neighboring land uses including, without limitation, effect on public access to all state surface waters, effect on recreational areas and effect on adjacent residential and agricultural areas.

(2) The Secretary shall further elaborate on the definition of “heavy industry” in accordance with § 7005(c) of this title. The Secretary shall delineate “heavy industry of state significance” as part of this process, which shall be a subcategory of projects of state significance. Heavy industry uses of any kind, including heavy industry of state significance, not in operation on June 28, 1971, shall be prohibited in the coastal zone and no permits may be issued therefor.

(3) All agencies of state government shall assist the Department in developing objective standards and criteria to identify projects of state significance and shall provide such information as the Department requests. The Department shall develop regulations specifying the objective standards and criteria which are to be used to identify projects of state significance and shall make such regulations available for public review no later than 9 months after the effective date of this legislation. The Department shall hold a public hearing on said regulations and shall announce such hearing by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in each county of the State. The Department shall adopt regulations specifying the objective standards and criteria for identifying projects of state significance, with exception of heavy industry of state significance, no later than 13 months after the effective date of this legislation. The Department shall submit to the State Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board standards and criteria for identifying heavy industry of state significance for adoption no later than 11 months after the effective date of this legislation. The State Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board shall adopt said standards and criteria no later than 13 months after the effective date of this legislation.

67 Del. Laws, c. 253, § 2.