New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 47-0103. Declaration of policy

The legislature hereby finds and declares that the management and conservation of our environment is essential to the health and wellbeing of the people of the state. Local county or regional understanding of the importance of all aspects of the environment is necessary for the most balanced use of natural resources. Local participation in planning of activities which influence the ecological balance of the locality and therefore the state is important. It is in the best interest of the citizens of the state to have environmental management councils which shall be responsible for reviewing and advising local and state government, and where resources within the county are influenced, the federal government, on present and proposed methods of using, protecting and conserving the environment for the benefit of all the people.