(a) It is the purpose of sections 103F.505 to 103F.531 to restore certain marginal agricultural land and protect environmentally sensitive areas to:

1. (1) enhance soil and water quality;
2. (2) minimize damage to flood-prone areas;
3. (3) sequester carbon;
4. (4) support native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats; and
5. (5) establish perennial vegetation.

(b) It is state policy to encourage:

1. (1) restoration of wetlands and riparian lands;
2. (2) restoration and protection of marginal, highly erodible land, particularly land adjacent to public waters, drainage systems, wetlands, and locally designated priority waters; and
3. (3) protection of environmentally sensitive areas, including wellhead protection areas, grasslands, peatlands, shorelands, karst geology, and forest lands in priority areas.