Section 49-37-3 - Legislative findings and purpose(1) The Legislature finds that: (a) Numerous federal and state agencies collect and manage scientific information relating to the environment and natural resources of the state;(b) Scientific information is a strategic asset in the management of our natural resources, exploration for oil and gas and economic development activities; and(c) Lack of coordination in the collection and management of scientific information can lead to duplication of efforts and inefficient information management thus leading to increased and unnecessary costs.(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes. Laws, 1999, ch. 527, § 2, eff. 7/1/1999.