The legislature hereby finds and declares that:
1. The waters of the state are one of its most essential natural
resources.
2. Adequate supplies of good quality groundwater are critical to the
health and welfare of the residents of the state and to their economic
well-being. Groundwater contamination exists at levels which exceed
applicable standards, criteria and guidance values at many sites around
the state, including inactive hazardous waste disposal sites, brownfield
sites, and sites contaminated by the discharge of petroleum. The levels
and types of contaminants, the extent of contamination, and the present
and potential impacts on public health and the environment vary widely
from site to site, but cumulatively could endanger the integrity of the
water resources of New York state.
3. Due to the complexity of groundwater contamination problems, the
restoration of groundwater to its classified use may not currently be
feasible at some sites.
4. It is the intent of the legislature that groundwater be protected
for its classified use, the highest of which is drinking water.