New Jersey § 32:20b-2

of New York.> The Legislature finds and declares that the States of New Jersey and New York and

their respective citizens share a common concern to protect their personal safety

and property through the identification and remediation of potential flood hazards

along the Hackensack River, Sparkill Brook/Creek, Saddle River, Ramapo/Mahwah River,

and their tributaries and watersheds; that because the Hackensack River, Sparkill

Brook/Creek, Saddle River, Ramapo/Mahwah River, and their tributaries cross the interstate

border region, the identification and remediation of potential flood hazards require

a bistate comprehensive approach; that a bistate comprehensive flood prevention approach

will also help ensure the preservation and maintenance of the environmental benefits

of the Hackensack River, Sparkill Brook/Creek, Saddle River, Ramapo/Mahwah River,

and their tributaries; that a bistate approach will encourage open space preservation

and recreational opportunities along the Hackensack River, Sparkill Brook/Creek, Saddle

River, Ramapo/Mahwah River, and their tributaries; and that there has been a long

history of cooperation among state and local governmental entities and various private

organizations and individuals in the vicinity of the Hackensack River, Sparkill Brook/Creek,

Saddle River, Ramapo/Mahwah River, and their tributaries to ensure the preservation

of those water bodies and watersheds. The Legislature therefore determines that there is a need to endorse and formalize

that bistate cooperative effort to identify and remediate potential flood hazards

and to protect the natural, scenic and recreational opportunities of the Hackensack

River, Sparkill Brook/Creek, Saddle River, Ramapo/Mahwah River and their tributaries;

and that the creation of a bistate commission is an appropriate means to accomplish

these very important goals.