The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)
Commercial shellfish harvesting is a beneficial use of the waters of the state and, in addition, benefits the economy of the state through the creation of jobs.
(b)
Pollution, from both point and nonpoint sources, currently threatens many of the state’s commercial shellfish growing areas.
(c)
In order to maintain the health, and encourage the expansion, of commercial shellfish harvesting within the state, it is necessary to protect the commercial shellfish growing areas from ongoing point and nonpoint sources of pollution.
(d)
The regional boards whose jurisdictions include commercial shellfish growing areas shall have primary responsibility for the protection of commercial shellfish harvesting from the effects of point and nonpoint pollution sources.