§ 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.