The council shall, subject to the provisions of applicable law, approve an application for lease, conveyance, license or permit, if after investigation and a review of the recommendations submitted to it pursuant to section 94, it is satisfied that the lease, conveyance, license or permit will be in the public interest. In determining whether a lease, conveyance, license or permit is in the public interest, the council shall consider the environmental impact of the use proposed to be made of the property in question. The council shall further determine the fair market value of the property at the time of the lease, conveyance, license or permit and shall fix the proper consideration to be charged for the lease, conveyance, license or permit of the lands owned by the State or quitclaim of any claim asserted by the State. In determining such consideration the council shall take into account the actions of a claimant under color of title who in good faith made improvements or paid taxes, or both, on the lands in question. Upon receipt of the payment of the consideration for a conveyance, the council and the appropriate State officers in accordance with the riparian statutes, shall convey the premises by deed of bargain and sale or quitclaim deed under the seal of the State. The council and the appropriate State officers shall require such terms and conditions in the conveyance instrument as it deems necessary and appropriate.

L.1968, c. 404, s. 95. Amended by L.1973, c. 335, s. 4, eff. Dec. 27, 1973.