NY Exec L § 961-A (2021)
2021 New York Laws EXC - Executive Article 46 - Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve 961-A - Legislative Findings and Intent.

§ 961-a. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature hereby finds   that  the tidal waters located between the southern shore of Long Island   and  the  coastal  barrier  beaches  constitute  a  maritime  region  of   statewide importance, referred to as the South Shore Estuary.The  legislature  finds  that  within  the South Shore Estuary and the   associated lands and water bodies that  discharge  into  or  affect  the   South  Shore  Estuary, that the federal, state and local governments own   and manage significant interdependent properties in the form  of  parks,   preserves,  historic  sites, open space and underwater lands, which help   to sustain biological productivity and diversity, economic viability and   recreational enjoyment.The legislature  also  finds  that  the  South  Shore  Estuary  System   contains   and   supports   many  unique  marine  habitats  and  locally   significant  populations  and  a  diversity  of  rare,  threatened   and   endangered  species  of  plants  and animals and the protection of their   habitats is in the best interest of the people of New York.The legislature further finds that  the  South  Shore  Estuary  system   contains  numerous streams that flow into the bays; freshwater and tidal   wetlands that serve as a breeding ground, source of  primary  production   for  the  food  chain  and  a  natural filter media; and productive clam   fisheries that are mutually supportive and ultimately dependent upon the   maintenance of the hydrologic and ecologic integrity of the region.The legislature, in addition, finds that the South Shore Estuary is of   tremendous economic and social importance to the state,  containing  the   largest  concentration  of  recreational and commercial vessels, marinas   and other water dependent businesses, supporting hundreds of baymen with   a livelihood harvesting clams, finfish and other  marine  organisms  and   providing recreation opportunities to millions of residents and tourists   each year.The  legislature  finds  that  there  is  a  multitude of governmental   entities and agencies that  share  responsibility  for  the  regulation,   management,  and  protection  of the Estuary and its resources and which   govern private and public land use and activities; and despite  existing   programs,  the water quality and productivity of the South Shore Estuary   have declined due to the intensity and variety of land uses in a  highly   developed  suburban  setting  which produce point and nonpoint source of   pollution.The legislature finds that this region, in which there are private and   public water and land uses which depend upon the health and productivity   of the South Shore  Estuary,  could  better  be  protected  and  managed   through the development of a comprehensive management plan.Therefore,  the  legislature finds that the purpose of this article is   to provide a means for public and private interests to act  collectively   and  pool  resources and expertise to: integrate and coordinate existing   programs and studies; identify  and  make  recommendations  to  mitigate   pollution  sources  in  order  to  maintain  or  enhance  water quality,   maximize  natural  productivity  and  improve  management  of  shellfish   harvest  areas  to  insure  economic viability and minimize health risk;   make recommendations on policies designed to balance the preservation of   natural resources while providing adequate access and use  of  resources   for  the  public as well as stability for water dependent businesses and   tourism; make  recommendations  on  methods  to  protect  the  value  of   existing public and private investment that has already been made in the   region;  and  provide  direction  for  state  and  local  governments to   protect, preserve and properly manage the unique  natural  resources  of   the  South  Shore  estuary  for  the  benefit  of  existing  and  future   generations. However, it is not the legislature's intent for this  article  or  the   management  plan  created  pursuant  to  this article to be construed to   require or to be used as a basis for requiring a cumulative analysis  or   a  generic  environmental  impact statement pursuant to article eight of   the   environmental  conservation  law  from  any  applicant,  owner  of   property, the state, its political subdivision or any  agencies  thereof   as  a  precondition for the approval of any proposed development, action   or  alteration  of  the  same  proposed  to  be  undertaken  within  the   geographic  area  designated  as  the  Long  Island  South Shore Estuary   Reserve, unless otherwise required by law.