N.Y. Nav. Law § 171

§ 171. Purposes. It is the purpose of this article to ensure a clean\nenvironment and healthy economy for the state by preventing the\nunregulated discharge of petroleum which may result in damage to lands,\nwaters or natural resources of the state by authorizing the department\nof environmental conservation to respond quickly to such discharges and\neffect prompt cleanup and removal of such discharges, giving first\npriority to minimizing environmental damage, and by providing for\nliability for damage sustained within the state as a result of such\ndischarges.\n