New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 72-0101. Declaration of policy

The legislature of the state of New York hereby declares that comprehensive environmental regulatory management programs are essential to protect New York state's environmental resources and the public's health and welfare.  It further declares that those regulated entities which use or have an impact on the state's environmental resources should bear the costs of the regulatory provisions which permit the use of these resources in a manner consistent with the environmental, economic and social needs of the state.  The legislature further declares that regulatory fees are an appropriate mechanism to pay a portion of the costs of the department's regulatory functions and programs and a portion of the costs to fund the cleanup of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites and that such fees should be borne by the state's regulated entities in order to further strengthen the state's capabilities to achieve its environmental quality objectives.  The legislature further declares that the department's regulatory programs and corresponding costs vary according to certain relevant technical criteria which shall be considered in determining adjustments to fees as provided in this chapter.