N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 45-0101: Declaration of findings and purpose

§ 45-0101. Declaration of findings and purpose.

The overwhelming approval by the people of section 4 of article XIV of

the Constitution, clearly demonstrates the public awareness and desire

to preserve the great natural resources and heritage of the state.

Accordingly, the legislature now finds it necessary to provide for a

state nature and historical preserve to assure the protection of lands,

outside of forest preserve counties, of special natural beauty,

wilderness character or geological, ecological, or historical

significance so that present and future generations may share their

ecological, educational and recreational value.

Lands dedicated to the preserve shall include only those lands in

state ownership in need of the highest level of protection. The

dedication of ecologically significant lands to the preserve is intended

for unique and irreplaceable state-owned lands that are relatively

undisturbed and not presently being actively managed through modern

forest management practices, including old-growth forests.