(a) This Part is adopted pursuant to section 913 of the Executive Law to implement the provisions of the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act.

(b) This Part is intended to provide for State agencies acting in the coastal area and inland waterways the necessary framework for the consideration and application of the State's policies with respect to waterfront revitalization and coastal resources, as contained in article 42 of the Executive Law.

(c) It was the intention of the Legislature that the preservation, enhancement and utilization of the natural and man-made resources of the State's unique coastal area take place in a coordinated and comprehensive manner to insure the proper balance between those natural resources and the need to accommodate the needs of population growth and economic development. Accordingly, it is the intention of this Part to achieve a balance between economic development and preservation that will permit the beneficial use of coastal and inland waterway resources while preventing the loss of living marine resources and wildlife, diminution of open space areas or public access to the waterfront, shoreline erosion, impairment of scenic beauty, or permanent adverse changes to ecological systems.

(d) In adopting the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act, it was the Legislature's intention that review by State agencies required pursuant to article 42 of the Executive Law, to determine the consistency of proposed actions with the policies of article 42 and with any applicable approved local Waterfront Revitalization Program, be coordinated with and made a part of each agency's existing procedures, including reviews conducted under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) (Environmental Conservation Law, article 8). Accordingly, in compliance with article 42, this Part provides a framework which is compatible with and capable of coordination with a State agency's existing review responsibilities under SEQR (6 NYCRR Part 617).