Section 299-L. Declaration of policy and purposes

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.