It is hereby found and declared that, because of the occurrence of severe storms accompanied by winds up to hurricane force, abnormal high tides and tide flooding, the lives and property of residents and other persons within areas exposed to such hazards are endangered, and that, in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare, it is necessary to minimize, and as far as possible to prevent loss of life, property and revenue to municipalities and the state from taxation by the construction of protective works on or near shores and beaches within such areas. As title to the land between high and low watermark is vested in the state, it is further found and declared to be in the public interest to secure such exposed areas by the most economical and effective means for safeguarding life and protecting property and, because it is uneconomical and ineffective for the general purpose for an individual landowner to attempt to maintain protective installations separated from and lacking coextension with those of abutting properties, that it is in the public interest to provide the ways and means for collective and cooperative action to alleviate the dangers and destruction common to such exposed areas. It is further found and declared that because of the recurrence of severe flooding of many of the waterways of the state and their tributaries, taking a huge toll in life and property, extensive flood protection measures must be inaugurated. It is, therefore, found and declared to be in the public interest that encroachment limits along waterways be established and any flood control features at dams and reservoirs, including municipally owned water supply dams and reservoirs, be utilized as a part of the construction and installation of any flood control project.