In order to further the purposes of article forty-six of the executive law, the commissioner shall provide, within amounts appropriated from the environmental protection fund, state assistance payments for the preparation of the comprehensive management plan for the Long Island south shore estuary reserve as provided for in section nine hundred sixty-six of the executive law. State assistance payments may be made to the Long Island south shore estuary reserve council established by section nine hundred sixty-four of the executive law for all eligible costs incurred after April first, nineteen hundred ninety-four. No moneys shall be expended for Long Island south shore estuary reserve management planning except pursuant to an appropriation therefor.