2010 New York Code
ENV - Environmental Conservation
Article 47 - (47-0101 - 47-0117) COUNTY AND REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCILS
47-0103 - Declaration of policy.

§ 47-0103. Declaration of policy.
    The  legislature  hereby  finds  and  declares that the management and
  conservation of our environment is essential to the health and wellbeing
  of the people of the state. Local county or  regional  understanding  of
  the  importance  of  all aspects of the environment is necessary for the
  most balanced use of natural resources. Local participation in  planning
  of activities which influence the ecological balance of the locality and
  therefore  the  state  is  important.  It is in the best interest of the
  citizens of the state to have environmental  management  councils  which
  shall  be  responsible  for  reviewing  and  advising  local  and  state
  government, and where resources within the county  are  influenced,  the
  federal government, on present and proposed methods of using, protecting
  and conserving the environment for the benefit of all the people.