§ 2 — Declaration of policy

§ 2. Declaration of policy. (1) Preservation of soil and water\nresources. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to\nprovide for the conservation of the soil and water resources of this\nstate, and for the improvement of water quality, and for the control and\nprevention of soil erosion and for the prevention of floodwater and\nsediment damages and for furthering the conservation, development,\nutilization and disposal of water, and thereby to preserve natural\nresources, control and abate nonpoint sources of water pollution, assist\nin the control of floods, assist in the drainage and irrigation of\nagricultural lands, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist in\nmaintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, preserve wildlife,\nprotect the tax base, protect public lands, and protect and promote the\nhealth, safety and general welfare of the people of this state.\n (2) Promotion of soil health and resiliency. It is further declared\nthe policy of the legislature to promote the health and resiliency of\nNew York's agricultural soils, including the biological, physical, and\nchemical components of such soils, to sustain agricultural plants and\nanimals, produce a healthy, affordable food supply, promote climate\nresilient farming and the reduction of agricultural greenhouse gas\nemissions, and further protect and promote natural resources and the\nhealth, safety and welfare of the people of this state.\n (3) Utilizing resources to enhance the quality of life. It is further\ndeclared the policy of the legislature to encourage the use of\nagricultural land for recreational uses which are consistent with the\nprimary use of such land while, at the same time, promoting additional\ntourism and employment opportunities and income for landowners in rural\nareas and enhancing the quality of life of persons not otherwise able to\nobtain access to agricultural land for recreational uses.\n