N.Y. Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law § 31.03

§ 31.03 Declaration of policy. The urban and regional areas of the\nstate are rich in cultural and natural resources of statewide\nsignificance associated with our growth and attainments over time. These\nresources offer educational, inspirational and recreational benefits for\npresent and future generations. It is hereby declared to be the policy\nof the state to preserve these resources through their identification,\ninterpretation, development and use in a system made up of state\ndesignated heritage areas.\n It is further the policy of the state to improve and coordinate the\nplans, functions, powers and programs of the state, as they affect its\nurban and regional cultural and natural resources, in cooperation with\nthe federal government, regions, local governments and other public and\nprivate organizations and concerned individuals.\n