Pursuant to section 3-0301(2)(p) of the Environmental Conservation Law, the commissioner may delegate to a local government or a group of local governments its powers, functions, and responsibilities, except review and determination of any application for a permit from a State agency, for administration of designated river areas as it deems proper upon determining that such local government or group of local governments has adequate legal authority, expertise, staff, funding and such other capabilities as the commissioner may prescribe as being necessary to fully carry out such powers, functions and responsibilities in place of the department and in a manner consistent with the act.