§343-1  Findings and purpose.  Thelegislature finds that the quality of humanity’s environment is critical tohumanity’s well being, that humanity’s activities have broad and profoundeffects upon the interrelations of all components of the environment, and thatan environmental review process will integrate the review of environmentalconcerns with existing planning processes of the State and counties and alertdecision makers to significant environmental effects which may result from theimplementation of certain actions.  The legislature further finds that theprocess of reviewing environmental effects is desirable because environmentalconsciousness is enhanced, cooperation and coordination are encouraged, andpublic participation during the review process benefits all parties involvedand society as a whole.

It is the purpose of this chapter to establisha system of environmental review which will ensure that environmental concernsare given appropriate consideration in decision making along with economic andtechnical considerations. [L 1979, c 197, §1(1); am L 1983, c 140, §4]