Subd. 1. Purpose.

The purpose of the Clean Water Legacy Act is to protect, restore, and preserve the quality of Minnesota's surface waters by providing authority, direction, and resources to achieve and maintain water quality standards for surface waters as required by section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1313(d), and applicable federal regulations.

Subd. 2. Findings.

The legislature finds that:

1. (1) there is a close link between protecting, restoring, and preserving the quality of Minnesota's surface waters and the ability to develop the state's economy, enhance its quality of life, and protect its human and natural resources;
2. (2) achieving the state's water quality goals will require long-term commitment and cooperation by all state and local agencies, and other public and private organizations and individuals, with responsibility and authority for water management, planning, and protection; and
3. (3) all persons and organizations whose activities affect the quality of waters, including point and nonpoint sources of pollution, have a responsibility to participate in and support efforts to achieve the state's water quality goals.