N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 15-0105: Declaration of policy

§ 15-0105. Declaration of policy.

In recognition of its sovereign duty to conserve and control its water

resources for the benefit of all inhabitants of the state, it is hereby

declared to be the public policy of the state of New York that:

1. The regulation and control of the water resources of the state of

New York be exercised only pursuant to the laws of this state;

2. The waters of the state be conserved and developed for all public

beneficial uses;

3. Comprehensive planning be undertaken for the protection,

conservation, equitable and wise use and development of the water

resources of the state to the end that such water resources be not

wasted and shall be adequate to meet the present and future needs for

domestic, municipal, agricultural, commercial, industrial, power,

recreational and other public, beneficial purposes;

4. With respect to the use of the waters of the state and the water

courses thereof, due consideration shall be given to the relative

importance of different uses;

5. The acquisition, storage, diversion and use of water for domestic

and municipal purposes shall have priority over all other purposes;

6. Alterations in the conditions of waters and water courses be

planned and carried out in such manner that the important uses will be

impaired as little as possible;

7. Reasonable standards of purity and quality of the waters of the

state be maintained consistent with public health, safety and welfare

and the public enjoyment thereof, the propagation and protection of fish

and wildlife, including birds, mammals and other terrestrial and aquatic

life, and the industrial development of the state, and to that end, to

require the use of all known available and reasonable methods to prevent

and control pollution, wastage and unreasonable disturbance and

defilement of the waters of the state;

8. In addition to other recognized public beneficial uses and control

of water as provided by this article 15 or by any other statute, the

regulated acquisition, storage, diversion and use of water for the

supplemental irrigation of agricultural lands within the state is a

public purpose and use, in the interests of the health, safety and

welfare of the people of the state and for their interest.