N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 55-0103: Legislative findings

§ 55-0103. Legislative findings.

The legislature finds that:

1. The scientific evidence of groundwater contamination is mounting;

2. Such contamination, once it occurs, is often irreversible;

3. Within this area subject to sole source aquifer designation, due to

their particular rate of recharge and associated hydrogeological

conditions, certain groundwater recharge watershed areas are

particularly critical for the maintenance of large volumes of high

quality groundwater for long periods of time;

4. In the face of mounting cases of groundwater contamination from

toxic organic compounds, nutrients, salts and other pollutants, the

state needs a program for the designation, protection and management of

special groundwater protection areas;

5. It is desirable to maintain natural vegetative and hydrogeologic

conditions in special groundwater protection areas;

6. Prevention of the contamination of high quality groundwater and the

protection of special groundwater protection areas costs substantially

less than measures to mitigate harm following contamination; and

7. There is a demonstrated need to protect, preserve and enhance the

land and water resources of special groundwater protection areas through

a new program which combines the capabilities and resources of the

local, state and federal governments and the private sector.

8. Some of the nonpoint source control strategies developed for the

special groundwater protection areas can be used to minimize further

contamination in developed deep aquifer recharge areas.