Section 39.01. Legislative findings and intent

The Niagara River corridor is
  of  unique  ecological,  cultural and economic importance to western New
  York connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario  communities  and  ecologies.
  This corridor has played an important role in the history of the Niagara
  Frontier  and  it can and should continue to define the western New York
  experience into the twenty-first century. Niagara Falls  is  a  National
  Natural  Landmark  under  state stewardship for more than a century that
  draws more than fourteen million visitors from throughout the  world  to
  the region each year. The cities of Niagara Falls and Buffalo are at the
  heart  of  the  river corridor where much of their waterfront has in the
  past been dedicated to industrial uses.  During  the  last  few  decades
  those  uses  have  begun  to  wane  and  there  is now an opportunity to
  redefine the waterfront in a way that  creates  a  balance  of  economic
  interests  with  a  welcoming  waterfront  environment.  For more than a
  century there have been those  who  have  expressed  a  vision  for  the
  Niagara  river  corridor  of  a  necklace of open space and conservation
  areas spread along the river. With many areas no longer being  used  for
  heavy  industry  it is now time to complete that vision. Many areas have
  established parks along the corridor including eleven  state  parks  and
  fourteen  local  parks. New York state's only National Scenic Byway, the
  Seaway Trail, runs through the entire corridor. It is the intent of  the
  legislature  to  establish  the  Niagara  river greenway commission as a
  cooperative regional organization established to work with participating
  state agencies, municipalities, organizations and residents in order  to
  implement  or  cause  to  be  implemented  a  linear system of parks and
  conservation areas  that  will,  consistent  with  the  purpose  of  the
  commission as set forth in this article, redefine the Niagara riverfront
  by  increasing  landside  access  to  the  river; creating complementary
  access  to  the   greenway   from   the   river;   augmenting   economic
  revitalization   efforts,   and   celebrating  the  region's  industrial
  heritage.