The Legislature hereby finds and declares that many of the rivers of New Jersey, or sections thereof, together with adjacent land areas, possess outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, floral, historic, cultural, or similar values which are of benefit and enjoyment to present and future generations of this State; that selected rivers, or sections thereof, are a public trust and should be preserved and protected so as to insure that this and succeeding generations have the opportunity to enjoy the aesthetic and recreational qualities of such rivers; and that it shall, therefore be the policy of this State to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and recreational values of such rivers through the establishment of a New Jersey Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and by prescribing the procedures and criteria for designating, protecting and administering the system and for adding new components to it from time to time.

L.1977, c. 236, s. 2, eff. Sept. 28, 1977.