Section 2. Purpose and policy.
The policy and purpose of this act is to:
(1) Encourage planning and development in bluff areas which is consistent with sound land use practices.
(2) Protect people and property in bluff areas from the dangers and damage associated with the inevitable recession of bluffs.
(3) Prevent and eliminate urban and rural blight which results from the damages of bluff erosion and recession.
(4) Minimize the expenditure of public and private funds for shoreline protection and bluff stabilization structures and activities.
(5) Authorize a comprehensive and coordinated program to regulate development activities through the use of setback ordinances in bluff recession hazard areas, designed to preserve and restore the natural ecological systems, and to prevent continuing destruction of private property and structures.
(6) Encourage local administration and management of bluffs consistent with the Commonwealth's duty as trustee of natural resources, and the people's constitutional right to the preservation of the natural, scenic, aesthetic and historic values of the environment.