Section 57-0105. Legislative findings and intent

The  legislature  hereby  finds  that  eastern  Long Island contains a
  maritime  region   of   statewide   importance   known   as   the   Pine
  Barrens-Peconic Bay system.
    The  legislature finds that within the Pine Barrens-Peconic Bay system
  the  federal,  state,  county  and  local  governments  own  and  manage
  significant  properties  in the form of parks, preserves, historic sites
  and  protected  open  space,  where  there  is  an  interdependent   and
  reciprocal  relationship between human activities and natural processes,
  and where fishing,  agriculture  and  tourism  have  been  the  dominant
  industries for more than three hundred fifty years.
    The  legislature  also  finds that within the Pine Barrens-Peconic Bay
  system natural processes have created unique landforms such  as  Robin's
  Island,   Shelter  Island,  Gardiners'  Island,  Fisher's  Island,  Long
  Island's North and  South  Forks,  and  numerous  wetlands,  bluffs  and
  beaches.
    The  legislature  finds  that  the  Long  Island Pine Barrens, an area
  encompassing over one hundred thousand acres in the county  of  Suffolk,
  is  of  critical importance to the state because it overlies the largest
  source  of  pure  groundwater  in  New  York.  The  Pine   Barrens   are
  interconnected  to  the  Peconic  Bay  system  by the Peconic River, the
  longest groundwater river in New York, and the ecologic  and  hydrologic
  integrity  of  this  system  should be protected in a comprehensive plan
  adopted by the state and individual local governments.
    The legislature also finds that the Pine  Barrens-Peconic  Bay  system
  contains   one   of  the  greatest  concentrations  and  diversities  of
  endangered, threatened and special concern species of plants and animals
  to be found in the state, and that protection of their  habitats  is  in
  the best interest of the people of New York.
    The legislature further finds that the Pine Barrens-Peconic Bay system
  contains  many  other unique natural, agricultural, historical, cultural
  and recreational resources that are mutually supportive  and  ultimately
  dependent  upon  maintenance of the hydrologic and ecologic integrity of
  this region.
    Therefore, the legislature finds that the purpose of this title is  to
  allow  the state and local governments to protect, preserve and properly
  manage the unique natural resources  of  the  Pine  Barrens-Peconic  Bay
  system  and  to  encourage coordination of existing programs and studies
  affecting land and water resources in the  region  and  to  protect  the
  value  of  the  existing  public and private investment that has already
  been made to acquire land in the region.
    The legislature further finds that a portion of the  system  known  as
  the   Central   Pine   Barrens   area   requires   the  preparation  and
  implementation of a state supported regional comprehensive land use plan
  that will provide for the preservation of the  core  preservation  area,
  protection  of  the Central Pine Barrens area and for the designation of
  compatible  growth  areas  to  accommodate   appropriate   patterns   of
  development  and  regional  growth  with  recognition  of  the rights of
  private land owners and the purpose of preservation of the core area.
    The legislature recognizes that  the  provisions  of  this  title  may
  restrict   the  beneficial  use  of  some  lands  currently  in  private
  ownership. These restrictions are deemed to be necessary  and  desirable
  to  protect  and  preserve  the hydrologic and ecologic integrity of the
  Central Pine Barrens area as well as the public's health and welfare for
  future  generations.  The  legislature  intends  that  a   comprehensive
  regional  land  use plan be implemented whereby private landowners whose
  property is located within the Central Pine Barrens area are afforded an
  opportunity to receive benefits  from  the  plan  such  as  transferable

  development rights, conservation easements, rights and values transfers,
  purchase  of  development  rights  and/or  fee acquisition with monetary
  compensation.