§ 170. Legislative intent. The legislature finds and declares that New York's lands and waters constitute a unique and delicately balanced resource; that the protection and preservation of these lands and waters promotes the health, safety and welfare of the people of this state; that the tourists and recreation industry dependent on clean waters and beaches is vital to the economy of this state; that the state is the trustee, for the benefit of its citizens, of all natural resources within its jurisdiction; and that the storage and transfer of petroleum between vessels, between facilities and vessels, and between facilities, whether onshore or offshore, is a hazardous undertaking and imposes risks of damage to persons and property within this state.

The legislature finds and declares that the discharge of petroleum within or outside the jurisdiction of this state constitutes a threat to the economy and environment of this state. The legislature intends by the passage of this article to exercise the powers of this state to control the transfer and storage of petroleum and to provide liability for damage sustained within this state as a result of the discharge of said petroleum by requiring prompt cleanup and removal of such pollution and petroleum, and to provide a fund for swift and adequate compensation to resort businesses and other persons damaged by such discharge.