2010 New York Code
ENV - Environmental Conservation
Article 8 - (8-0101 - 8-0117) ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW
8-0103 - Legislative findings and declaration.

§ 8-0103. Legislative findings and declaration.
    The legislature finds and declares that:
    1.  The  maintenance  of  a quality environment for the people of this
  state that at all times is healthful and  pleasing  to  the  senses  and
  intellect of man now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.
    2.   Every   citizen   has  a  responsibility  to  contribute  to  the
  preservation and enhancement of the quality of the environment.
    3. There  is  a  need  to  understand  the  relationship  between  the
  maintenance  of  high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare
  of the people of the state, including their  enjoyment  of  the  natural
  resources of the state.
    4.  Enhancement  of human and community resources depends on a quality
  physical environment.
    5. The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of
  the legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to
  identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people
  of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent  such
  thresholds from being reached.
    6.  It  is  the  intent  of the legislature that to the fullest extent
  possible the policies, statutes,  regulations,  and  ordinances  of  the
  state   and   its  political  subdivisions  should  be  interpreted  and
  administered in accordance with the policies set forth in this  article.
  However,  the  provisions of this article do not change the jurisdiction
  between or among state agencies and public corporations.
    7. It is the  intent  of  the  legislature  that  the  protection  and
  enhancement  of  the environment, human and community resources shall be
  given appropriate weight with  social  and  economic  considerations  in
  public  policy.  Social,  economic,  and  environmental factors shall be
  considered together in reaching decisions on proposed activities.
    8. It is the intent of the legislature that all agencies conduct their
  affairs with an awareness that they are  stewards  of  the  air,  water,
  land,  and living resources, and that they have an obligation to protect
  the environment for the  use  and  enjoyment  of  this  and  all  future
  generations.
    9.  It  is  the  intent  of  the  legislature  that all agencies which
  regulate activities of individuals, corporations,  and  public  agencies
  which  are found to affect the quality of the environment shall regulate
  such activities  so  that  due  consideration  is  given  to  preventing
  environmental damage.