1. The quality of our environment is fundamental to our concern for the quality of life. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of New York to conserve, improve and protect its natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well being.

2. It shall further be the policy of the state to improve and coordinate the environmental plans, functions, powers and programs of the state, in cooperation with the federal government, regions, local governments, other public and private organizations and the concerned individual, and to develop and manage the basic resources of water, land, and air to the end that the state may fulfill its responsibility as trustee of the environment for the present and future generations.

3. It shall further be the policy of the state to foster, promote, create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can thrive in harmony with each other, and achieve social, economic and technological progress for present and future generations by:

a. Assuring surroundings which are healthful and aesthetically pleasing;

b. Guaranteeing that the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment is attained without risk to health or safety, unnecessary degradation or other undesirable or unintended consequences;

c. Promoting patterns of development and technology which minimize adverse impact on the environment;

d. Preserving the unique qualities of special resources such as the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves;

e. Providing that care is taken for the air, water and other resources that are shared with the other states of the United States and with Canada in the manner of a good neighbor.