§ 171. Purposes. It is the purpose of this article to ensure a clean
environment and healthy economy for the state by preventing the
unregulated discharge of petroleum which may result in damage to lands,
waters or natural resources of the state by authorizing the department
of environmental conservation to respond quickly to such discharges and
effect prompt cleanup and removal of such discharges, giving first
priority to minimizing environmental damage, and by providing for
liability for damage sustained within the state as a result of such
discharges.