Section 49-0301. Declaration of policy and statement of purpose

The  legislature  hereby finds and declares that in order to implement
  the  state  policy  of  conserving,  preserving   and   protecting   its
  environmental   assets   and   natural   and   man-made  resources,  the
  preservation  of  open  spaces,  the   preservation,   development   and
  improvement  of agricultural and forest lands, the preservation of areas
  which are significant because of  their  scenic  or  natural  beauty  or
  wetland,  shoreline,  geological  or  ecological,  including  old-growth
  forest, character, and the preservation of areas which  are  significant
  because  of  their historical, archaeological, architectural or cultural
  amenities,  is  fundamental  to   the   maintenance,   enhancement   and
  improvement    of   recreational   opportunities,   tourism,   community
  attractiveness, balanced economic growth and the quality of life in  all
  areas of the state.