§ 2-4-1 - Legislative determinations and declaration of policy.

SECTION 2-4-1

   § 2-4-1  Legislative determinations anddeclaration of policy. – In recognition of the ever increasing environmental problems resulting fromdemands on the land and renewable resources of the state and of the need topreserve, protect and develop these resources of the state at a rate and levelof quality to meet the needs of the people of the state, and the need forenvironmental balance, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state toprovide for the conservation of the land and renewable natural resources usingthose measures that best meet these objectives, including, but not limited to,the control and prevention of erosion, control of floods, the conservation anddevelopment of water resources and the improvement of water quality; assistancein the conservation of coastal land and water resources, the prevention ofimpairment of dams and reservoirs by sediment, the protection of wildlife, andpreservation of natural beauty, and to protect and promote the health, safetyand general welfare of the people of this state. It is further the policy ofthe general assembly to authorize conservation districts established under thischapter to serve as a local unit of the state conservation committeeresponsible for the conservation of the renewable natural resources of thisstate, and competent to administer, in close cooperation with landowners andoccupiers, with local governmental units, and with agencies of the governmentof this state and of the United States, projects, programs and activitiessuitable for carrying out the policy of this chapter.