New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 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.