Whereas erosion, flood water and sediment damage in the watersheds of the rivers and streams of the state cause loss of life and damage to property and constitute a menace to the health, safety and welfare of the people of this state, it is the sense of the legislature that the state should cooperate with the federal government and its agencies and with the several counties of the state for the purpose of preventing such damage and of furthering the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water and thereby preserving and protecting the state's land and water resources, in the manner hereinafter described.
New York Legal Code