N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 6, § 591.1 – Purpose.

(a) It is the public policy of the State to assure the long-term preservation, enhancement, restoration and improvement of the quality of the State's environment through the acquisition of additional forest preserve lands, and the acquisition, preservation and improvement of certain other environmentally sensitive lands which will preserve aquifer recharge areas, areas of exceptional scenic beauty or exceptional forest character, open space, pine barrens, public access, trailways, unique character, wetlands and wildlife habitats. It is the purpose of this Part to carry out this public policy through the implementation of that portion of the 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act which is set forth in title 7 of article 52 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
(b) This Part will assure the wise selection of those State projects which will best achieve the above-stated policy goals, by establishing procedures for the selection, approval and execution of such State land acquisition, preservation and improvement projects through the establishment of:
1. (1) project selection procedures including minimum eligibility requirements for various types of projects;
2. (2) procedures for priority ranking of eligible projects;
3. (3) departmental review processes;
4. (4) guidelines and criteria which the commissioner shall use to approve eligible projects; and
5. (5) procedures for funding distribution for forest preserve projects and for each type of environmentally sensitive lands project.