New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 57-0103. Legislative declaration

The legislature hereby declares it to be in the public interest to protect and manage the Pine Barrens-Peconic Bay system, in the county of Suffolk, by establishing a Long Island Pine Barrens maritime reserve.  It is further in the public interest to establish a council made up of representatives of state and local governments and private citizens to prepare a comprehensive management plan and make recommendations to preserve, protect and enhance the natural, recreational, economic and educational values of the region, which the state and local governments may adopt.  In addition, it is further in the public interest to establish a commission made up of a governor's appointee, the county executive of Suffolk county and the supervisors of the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton to prepare, oversee and participate in the implementation of a comprehensive land use plan for the Central Pine Barrens area to guide development therein in a manner suitable to the needs for preservation of the core preservation area and compatible growth and development in the compatible growth area.