N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 47-0103

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