In recognition of its sovereign duty to conserve and control its water resources for the benefit of all inhabitants of the state, it is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state of New York that:

1. The regulation and control of the water resources of the state of New York be exercised only pursuant to the laws of this state;

2. The waters of the state be conserved and developed for all public beneficial uses;

3. Comprehensive planning be undertaken for the protection, conservation, equitable and wise use and development of the water resources of the state to the end that such water resources be not wasted and shall be adequate to meet the present and future needs for domestic, municipal, agricultural, commercial, industrial, power, recreational and other public, beneficial purposes;

4. With respect to the use of the waters of the state and the water courses thereof, due consideration shall be given to the relative importance of different uses;

5. The acquisition, storage, diversion and use of water for domestic and municipal purposes shall have priority over all other purposes;

6. Alterations in the conditions of waters and water courses be planned and carried out in such manner that the important uses will be impaired as little as possible;

7. Reasonable standards of purity and quality of the waters of the state be maintained consistent with public health, safety and welfare and the public enjoyment thereof, the propagation and protection of fish and wildlife, including birds, mammals and other terrestrial and aquatic life, and the industrial development of the state, and to that end, to require the use of all known available and reasonable methods to prevent and control pollution, wastage and unreasonable disturbance and defilement of the waters of the state;

8. In addition to other recognized public beneficial uses and control of water as provided by this article 15 or by any other statute, the regulated acquisition, storage, diversion and use of water for the supplemental irrigation of agricultural lands within the state is a public purpose and use, in the interests of the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and for their interest.