New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 6 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION › Chapter X - DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES › Subchapter A - GENERAL › Article 1 - MISCELLANEOUS RULES › Part 664 - Freshwater Wetlands Maps And Classification › Section 664.3 - Purposes and approach

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a)
					 Public policy. It is the public policy of the State, as set forth in the
					 Freshwater Wetlands Act, to preserve, protect and conserve freshwater wetlands
					 and the benefits derived therefrom, to prevent the despoliation and destruction
					 of wetlands, and to regulate use and development of wetlands to secure the
					 natural benefits of those wetlands, consistent with the general welfare and
					 beneficial economic, social and agricultural development of the State. It is
					 the purpose of this Part to implement that policy by clarifying certain aspects
					 of wetland mapping and delineation of jurisdiction, and by creating a system
					 for classifying wetlands in accordance with section 24-0903(1) of the act. Such
					 a system must take into account the present condition of wetlands as well as
					 their many benefits described below and in section 24-0105(7) of the
					 act.
(b) Wetland benefits. The
					 preservation, protection and conservation of wetlands is of public concern
					 because of the benefits they provide. These include:
(1) Flood and stormwater control. Wetlands
					 may slow water runoff and temporarily store water, thus helping to protect
					 downstream areas from flooding. Public health and private property in one part
					 of a watershed may be harmed if wetlands are destroyed in a different part of
					 that watershed.
(2) Wildlife
					 habitat. Wetlands are of unparalleled value as wildlife habitat, and the
					 perpetuation of scores of species depends upon them. Many of the species are
					 migratory and must have nesting, migration, and wintering habitat. The
					 destruction of one kind of wetland habitat in one place may reduce populations
					 of wildlife elsewhere. Where specific wetlands support endangered species,
					 destruction of those wetlands may threaten the presence of the endangered
					 species for all time.
(3) Water
					 supply. Wetlands themselves are a source of surface water and may, under
					 appropriate hydrological conditions, serve to recharge groundwater and aquifers
					 and to maintain surface water flow.
(4) Water quality. Many wetlands serve as
					 chemical and biological oxidation basins that help cleanse water that flows
					 through them. Wetlands can also serve as sedimentation areas and filtering
					 basins that absorb silt and organic matter, thereby protecting channels and
					 harbors and enhancing water quality.
(5) Fisheries. Wetlands provide the spawning
					 and nursery grounds for several species of fish. The availability of these fish
					 in lakes and streams may be adversely affected by the loss of wetlands adjacent
					 to those waters.
(6) Food chains.
					 Food and organic detritus supplied by wetlands support the fish and wildlife of
					 adjacent waters.
(7) Recreation.
					 Wetlands provide important hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, birdwatching,
					 photography, camping, and other recreational opportunities. In addition,
					 wetlands may be critical to recreation beyond their own borders because of
					 their ability to protect water quality and protect and produce wildlife and
					 fish.
(8) Open space and aesthetic
					 appreciation. Wetlands provide visual variety in many different settings.
					 Especially in urban areas, wetland open space contributes to social well-being
					 by providing relief from intense development and a sense of connection with the
					 natural world.
(9) Education and
					 scientific research. Because of the high biological productivity and the
					 variety of plant and animal species they can support, wetlands can be of broad
					 social benefit in providing outdoor laboratories and living classrooms for
					 studying and appreciating natural history, ecology and biology. Many of the
					 lessons learned and principles evolved through study of wetlands are applicable
					 to other eviron-mental issues.