New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 36-0101. Declaration of findings

1. It is in the interest of the people of this state to provide for participation in the national flood insurance program as enacted by the congress of the United States;

2. The essence of the national flood insurance program is the regulation of land uses within areas identified by the director of the federal emergency management agency as areas of special flood hazard.  Land use regulation is principally a matter of local concern;  therefore, local governments have the principal responsibility for enacting appropriate land use regulations that will meet federal standards and permit the sale of flood insurance in such communities;

3. Providing for the availability of flood insurance for all residents of the state is the policy of the state;  all local governments with land use jurisdiction over any area of special flood hazard must comply with all national flood insurance program requirements so that the residents of such local communities may purchase flood insurance;  and

4. All publicly owned facilities within any identified area of special flood hazard must be in compliance with the national flood insurance program requirements.