Legislative finding; policy of the state

The General Assembly finds that soil erosion on land being developed is a serious problem in Connecticut, that sediment is a source of pollution, that rapid changes in land use from agricultural and rural to nonagricultural and urban and the construction of residential, industrial and commercial development and land-disturbing activities associated with development have accelerated soil erosion and sediment deposition resulting in water pollution and damage to residential, agricultural, industrial and recreational land uses, to fish and wildlife and to other resources. It is, therefore, declared to be the policy of the state to strengthen and extend its erosion and sediment control activities and programs and to establish and implement, through the Council on Soil and Water Conservation, soil and water conservation districts, the municipalities and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, a state-wide coordinated erosion and sediment control program which shall reduce the danger from storm water runoff, minimize nonpoint sediment pollution from land being developed and conserve and protect the land, water, air and other environmental resources of the state.