Regulatory actions taken by the department to eliminate or control environmental pollution shall be exempt from the provisions of s. 1.11, other than:
(1) Involvement in federal financial assistance grants for the construction of publicly owned treatment works;
(2) Financial assistance under s. 281.55 or 281.57 or under ss. 281.58 and 281.59; and (3) Issuance of permits or approvals for new sources of environmental pollution.