It is the purpose of this act to provide for the development and maintenance of a forest resources planning program, consistent with article fourteen of the state constitution, in furtherance of the policy of the state of New York to conserve, improve and protect its natural resources and environment. The legislature recognizes that the needs and opportunities which affect the use, management and protection of the forest resources of the state are interrelated and require a comprehensive approach to issue resolution and policy development. To best serve the public interest, forest resources programs and efforts should be based upon periodic assessments and analyses of present and anticipated use, demand for, and supply of renewable forest resources from the public and private forest lands of the state. The department shall consult and cooperate with the Adirondack park agency in the preparation of those parts of the assessment and plan with respect to the forest resources of the Adirondack park. The legislature hereby designates the department of environmental conservation as the official state agency with the responsibility to plan for present and future demands on the state's forest resources and declares that the department shall conduct a program of long range comprehensive forest resource planning which planning program shall include the periodic preparation of a forest resources assessment and the periodic development of a forest resources plan.