N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 34-0101: Statement of findings

§ 34-0101. Statement of findings.

1. Certain sections of the coastline of the state of New York are

prone to erosion from action of the adjacent water bodies. Such erosion

may be caused by the action of waves, currents running along the shore,

tides, wind-driven water and ice as well as human activities such as

construction and shipping. Such areas are also prone to erosion caused

by the wind, runoff of rain water along the surface of the land, or

groundwater seepage as well as by human activities such as construction,

navigation and certain forms of recreation.

2. Coastal erosion causes extensive damage to publicly and privately

owned property and to natural resources as well as endangering human

lives. When this occurs, individuals and private businesses suffer

significant economic losses, as does the state's economy, either

directly through property damage or indirectly through loss of economic

return. Large public expenditures may also be necessitated for the

removal of debris and damaged structures and replacement of essential

public facilities and services.

3. Man often contributes to erosion-related problems by building

without considering the potential for damage to property, by undertaking

activities which destroy natural protective features such as dunes or

vegetation and by building structures intended for erosion prevention

which may exacerbate erosion conditions on adjacent or nearby property,

and by water action produced by wakes from boats.

4. Programs to build erosion protective structures, either with

private or public funds, are costly, often only partially effective over

time, and may even be harmful to adjacent or nearby properties, and in

some sections of the state major erosion protective structures of great

length would be required to effectively reduce future damages due to

erosion.