Source: http://en.openei.org/wiki/RAPID/Roadmap/9-NY-a
Timestamp: 2017-05-28 09:04:11
Document Index: 437955847

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 823', '§120', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3']

New York State Environmental Quality Review (9-NY-a)
If the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) has jurisdiction over a hydropower project, the Federal Power Act preempts the State from conducting a state environmental quality review of the project. FERC obtains jurisdiction over a hydropower project when the developer files for a FERC license or exemption. New York Department of Environmental Conservation – SEQR Handbook: Table of Contents: A. SEQR and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In the absence of an application for a FERC license or exemption, the State retains jurisdiction and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) may conduct a SEQR review of the hydropower project. For example, if the developer files for a preliminary permit, rather than a FERC license or exemption, the DEC may review the project under the SEQR. A preliminary permit allows the developer to perform studies in preparation for a license and places the developer first in line once an application for a FERC license is filed. A Review of Regulatory and Policy Requirements for Hydrokinetic Power Projects in New York State, at 12, 35, 46.
The State also retains the authority to conduct a SEQR review of hydropower projects excluded from FERC’s licensing jurisdiction, such as hydropower facilities located on non-federally owned conduits with installed capacities up to 5 MW. 16 USC § 823a(a). 9-NY-a.3 – Is the Project a Transmission Project that Requires a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need?
An electric transmission line of a design capacity of one hundred twenty-five (125) kilovolts; or more extending a distance of one (1) mile or more, or; A electric transmission line of one hundred (100) kilovolts or more and less than one hundred twenty-five (125) kilovolts or more, extending a distance of ten (10) miles or more, including associated equipment.” N.Y. Pub. Serv. Law §120 (2), Definitions.
For more information about the CECPN regulatory process, see: Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need: 8-NY-c
The State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Act is “triggered” if a state or local agency has discretion to approve, fund, or directly undertake a project that might have an effect on the environment. An agency has discretion if its decision will determine whether, or how, the project may be undertaken. For example, if the hydropower project is to be located within the State’s jurisdictional waters, the New York State Office of General Services may have the authority to issue or deny an easement for the use of state lands. A Review of Regulatory and Policy Requirements for Hydrokinetic Power Projects in New York State, at 46-47.
SEQR begins when the developer first submits an application to a state or local agency for review. 6 CRR-NY 617.6.
If the agency does not have discretion to approve, fund or directly undertake the project, no environmental quality review is required and the developer may continue with the project. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process. 9-NY-a.5 to 9-NY-a.8 –Triggering Application
6 CRR-NY 617.5; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
Type II classification completes SEQR. SEQR does not require a determination of significance or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Type II projects. 6 CRR-NY 617.3(f); New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
The Type I list is not exhaustive. Agencies may create additional, local Type I items, provided the list is no less protective of the environment than the statewide list. The local Type I list may not include items from the statewide Type II list. A Type I project carries with it the presumption that it is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and may require an EIS. If the first involved agency classifies the project as Type I, it must initiate a coordinated review of the project in order to determine whether the developer must prepare an EIS. 6 CRR-NY VI 617.4; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process. 9-NY-a.14 to 9-NY-a.15 – Unlisted Action
A Long (Full) Form EAF. 6 CRR-NY VI 617.4; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
A full EAF must be used to determine the significance of Type I projects. Although the short EAF may be used to determine the significance of an Unlisted project, the lead agency may choose to use the full EAF for Unlisted projects if the short EAF does not provide information sufficient to support a determination of significance. However, the determination that an EIS is needed must be based on a Full EAF. The EAF is composed of three parts. The developer must complete and submit Part 1 of a Full EAF. Part 1 requires the developer to provide three main classes of information, including the following: Site description;
Project description; and Zoning and planning information.
The developer is responsible for providing accurate, complete and comprehensible information when completing Part 1 of the EAF. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
The coordination package should include enough information to allow each involved agency to prepare an informed response regarding the environmental concerns raised by the proposed action. Part 1 of the EAF must be included in the coordination package and should, at a minimum, be accompanied by the following additional items: A general location map;
Any summary application materials providing a more thorough description of the proposed project than the EAF alone; and Copies of the plan or sketch pages sufficient to characterize the full extent of the proposed project.
The lead agency is responsible for reviewing the EAF and making the “determination of significance” regarding the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. The determination of significance is the decision whether to require an EIS to further explore potential impacts of the proposed action as well as options to avoid or mitigate the impacts. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
During the EAF review, the Lead Agency reviews all of the developer’s EAF - Part 1 responses, flags any problems, and identifies missing information. The Lead Agency may require that the developer supplement the EAF if additional information is needed in order to support and expand upon the subject matter identified in the EAF and/or to make a determination of significance. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
Once the Lead Agency has identified the potential adverse impacts of the project, the Lead Agency considers Part 2 of the EAF, in order to estimate the likely size and extent of the project’s impact on the environment. The lead agency must “take a hard look” at every potential impact. If the project design includes mitigating measures for one or more potential impacts, the Lead Agency should consider those measures in evaluating likelihood of occurrence and magnitude of potential impacts. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
If the Lead Agency identifies one or more potentially large impacts, the Lead Agency must then proceed with Part 3; although it is good practice to complete Part 2 even if the Lead Agency identifies only small to moderate impacts. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
In Part 3 of the EAF, the Lead Agency assesses the importance of the project’s environmental impacts. Importance relates to the valuation of the project’s impacts, and should be based on factors including: The likelihood of the impact actually occurring;
The nature and quality of the resources likely to be affected; The potential for the action to affect resources beyond the project site; and The consistency of the proposal with any existing local or regional land use plans and implementing ordinances.
New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process. Part 3 essentially provides the Lead Agency with an organizational tool that will help the agency to articulate its Determination of Significance. The lead agency must articulate, in writing, its conclusions regarding the significance of possible impacts and the process it used to reach those conclusions.. The Determination of Significance is the Lead Agency’s decision whether or not to require further study of the project’s environmental impacts through the preparation of an EIA. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
The lead agency must issue a Determination of Significance within 20 days of its establishment as lead agency, or within 20 days of receiving all information it may reasonably need to make a determination of significance. 6 CRR-NY VI 617.6.
The name and address of the Lead Agency; The name, address and telephone number of a contact person representing the Lead Agency, who can provide further information;
6 CRR-NY VI 617.7; 6 CRR-NY VI 617.12; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
If the Lead Agency issues a “Positive Declaration,” the agency must require the preparation of an EIS, to explore measures to avoid or minimize the likely impacts. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
The Lead Agency is ultimately responsible for determining which issues and concerns should be included in the final written scope of the EIS. However, the developer or the Lead Agency may initiate a formal scoping process in order to ensure that all relevant issues will be discussed in the EIS. Scoping is not required. Scoping allows the public and other agencies to comment on the necessary contents of the EIS. If the developer or Lead Agency uses the formal scoping process, there must be an opportunity for public participation in the EIS development process. 6 CRR-NY VI 617.8; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
New York Regulations allow 60 days for the completion of scoping, however, it is common practice for the Lead Agency or developer to negotiate an extension. New York Regulations 6 CRR-NY VI 617.8(f); New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
If the Lead Agency determines that the action requires an EIS, the SEQR process continues with the preparation of a Draft EIS. The fundamental purpose of the Draft EIS is to identify the alternatives or mitigation measures necessary to avoid or minimize some or all of the project’s potential adverse environmental impacts. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
Generally, the project developer prepares and submits the draft EIS to the Lead Agency. If the developer does not exercise its option to prepare the draft EIS, the Lead Agency will prepare the draft. The Draft EIS must:
The lead agency must review the Draft EIS and determine whether the scope and content of the submitted draft are adequate for public review. If the Lead Agency determines that the Draft EIS is inadequate, it must provide the developer with notice of any deficiencies in writing. 6 CRR-NY VI 617.9; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
If the draft EIS meets the standards in New York Regulations 6 CRR-NY VI 617.9(b)), conforms to the final written scope (if any), and does not contain any major inaccuracies, the Lead Agency should accept the Draft EIS, issue a notice of completion, and initiate the public comment period for the Draft EIS. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
The chief executive officer of the political subdivision in which the project will be principally located; The Lead Agency;
Whether substantive or significant adverse environmental effects have been identified; The adequacy of mitigation measures and alternatives proposed; and
If the Lead Agency’s underlying jurisdiction requires the agency to hold a public hearing, the SEQR encourages consolidation of the optional and required public hearings. If a hearing will be held, the lead agency must prepare and file notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation, in the area of the potential impacts, at least 14 days in advance of the public hearing. New York Regulations 6 CRR-NY VI 617.9; New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
SEQR Findings are the articulation of the involved agencies’ balancing and final decisions regarding the project. Each agency must make its own “findings” with respect to the project and must wait at least 10 days following the notice of completion to make such findings and to issue a final decision. The agencies’ findings must specifically:
Certify that all SEQR’s rules have been followed; and Certify that the alternative chosen, including any conditions attached to an approval, avoids or minimizes adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable, and incorporates practicable mitigative measures.
If an agency concludes that some impacts will not be fully avoided or mitigated, the agency must explain how it balanced those unmitigated adverse environmental impacts against economic, social, or public needs. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
SEQR concludes when the Lead Agency accepts the Final EIS and each involved agency issues its own findings. New York Division of Environmental Permits - SEQR: Guiding the Process.
New York - State Environmental Quality Review ActNew York Regulations – Department of Environmental ConservationFederal Power ActTitle 16 USC 823a Conduit Hydroelectric Facilities
<metadesc> Information about New York State Environmental Quality Review in the permitting of renewable energy and bulk transmission projects. </metadesc>
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