N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 44-0101

§ 44-0101. Legislative intent.\n The Hudson river valley region possesses unique scenic beauty, natural\nand cultural resources of state and national significance. Efforts\nincluding the creation of a state management program for the Hudson\nestuarine district and fishery, establishment of the heritage task force\nfor the Hudson river valley, establishment of five state designated\nurban cultural parks in the valley and the preparation of numerous local\ngovernment waterfront revitalization programs in the valley have been\nundertaken in recent years to protect and enhance the special places of\nscenic, cultural and ecological importance. It is the intention of the\nlegislature that these efforts be continued and strengthened under the\ncooperative program of the Hudson river valley greenway in order to\ncontinue and advance the state's commitment to the preservation,\nenhancement and development of the world-renowned scenic, natural,\nhistoric, cultural and recreational resources of the Hudson river valley\nwhile continuing to emphasize economic development activities and\nremaining consistent with the tradition of municipal home rule.\n