Section 34-0101. Statement of findings

1.  Certain  sections  of  the  coastline of the state of New York are
  prone to erosion from action of the adjacent water bodies. Such  erosion
  may  be caused by the action of waves, currents running along the shore,
  tides, wind-driven water and ice as well as  human  activities  such  as
  construction  and  shipping. Such areas are also prone to erosion caused
  by the wind, runoff of rain water along the  surface  of  the  land,  or
  groundwater seepage as well as by human activities such as construction,
  navigation and certain forms of recreation.
    2.  Coastal  erosion causes extensive damage to publicly and privately
  owned property and to natural resources as  well  as  endangering  human
  lives.  When  this  occurs,  individuals  and  private businesses suffer
  significant  economic  losses,  as  does  the  state's  economy,  either
  directly  through property damage or indirectly through loss of economic
  return. Large public expenditures  may  also  be  necessitated  for  the
  removal  of  debris  and damaged structures and replacement of essential
  public facilities and services.
    3. Man often  contributes  to  erosion-related  problems  by  building
  without considering the potential for damage to property, by undertaking
  activities  which  destroy  natural protective features such as dunes or
  vegetation and by building structures intended  for  erosion  prevention
  which  may exacerbate erosion conditions on adjacent or nearby property,
  and by water action produced by wakes from boats.
    4. Programs  to  build  erosion  protective  structures,  either  with
  private or public funds, are costly, often only partially effective over
  time,  and  may even be harmful to adjacent or nearby properties, and in
  some sections of the state major erosion protective structures of  great
  length  would  be  required  to effectively reduce future damages due to
  erosion.