Source: https://www.ecode360.com/6806627
Timestamp: 2018-12-16 06:52:43
Document Index: 512480166

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 617', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 617', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'arts 60', 'art 617', 'art 62', 'art 617', 'art 617', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 1', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 28', '§ 272', '§ 7', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', 'art 617', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', '§ 114', 'arts 60', 'art 62']

Town of Babylon, NY Environmental Quality Review
§ 114-1 Authority, intent and purpose.
§ 114-3 General rules.
§ 114-4 Type I actions.
§ 114-5 Type II actions.
§ 114-6 Initial review of actions and establishing lead agency.
§ 114-7 Determination of significance of action.
§ 114-8 Scoping.
§ 114-9 Preparation and content of environmental impact statements.
§ 114-10 Generic environmental impact statements.
§ 114-11 Decision-making and findings requirements.
§ 114-12 Document preparation, filing, publication and distribution.
§ 114-13 Fees and costs.
§ 114-14 Individual agency procedures to implement SEQR.
§ 114-15 Actions involving federal agency.
§ 114-17 Referenced material.
§ 114-18 Severability.
§ 114-19 When effective.
Chapter 114 Environmental Quality Review
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Babylon 1-25-2011 by L.L. No. 2-2011.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 114, Environmental quality review, adopted 6-7-1977 by L.L. No. 5-1977, amended in its entirety 2-2-1988, as amended.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Law, the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and the NYCRR Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review Regulations.
In adopting the Town of Babylon Environmental Quality Review Act (TOBEQRA), it is the Town Board of the Town of Babylon's intention that all agencies conduct their affairs with an awareness that they are stewards of the air, water, land and living resources and that they have an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations.
The basic purpose of TOBEQRA is to incorporate the consideration of environmental factors into the existing planning, review and decision-making processes of state, regional and local government agencies at the earliest possible time. To accomplish this goal, TOBEQRA requires that all agencies determine whether the actions they directly undertake, fund or approve may have a significant impact on the environment and, if it is determined that the action may have a significant adverse environmental impact, prepare or request an environmental impact statement.
It is the intention of the Town Board of the Town of Babylon that the protection and enhancement of the environment, human and community resources should be given appropriate weight with social and economic considerations in determining public policy, and that those factors be considered together in reaching decisions on proposed activities. Accordingly, it is the intention of this chapter that a suitable balance of social, economic and environmental factors be incorporated into the planning and decision-making processes of the Town of Babylon. However, it is not the intention of the TOBEQRA that environmental factors be the sole consideration in decision-making.
Chapter 114 of the Code of the Town of Babylon.
A local agency of the Town of Babylon.
The state's coastal waters and the adjacent shore lands, as defined in Article 42 of the Executive Law, the specific boundaries of which are shown on the coastal area map on file in the office of the Secretary of State, as required by Section 914(2) of the Executive Law.
A negative declaration issued by a lead agency for an unlisted action, involving an applicant, in which the action as initially proposed may result in one or more significant adverse environmental impacts; however, mitigation measures identified and required by the lead agency, pursuant to the procedures in § 114-7D of this chapter, will modify the proposed action so that no significant adverse environmental impacts will result.
An action planned and proposed for implementation by an agency. Direct actions include but are not limited to capital projects, promulgation of agency rules, regulations, laws, codes, ordinances or executive orders and policy-making that commit an agency to a course of action that may affect the environment.
The physical conditions that will be affected by a proposed action, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, noise, resources of agricultural, archeological, historic or aesthetic significance, existing patterns of population concentration, distribution or growth, existing community or neighborhood character, and human health.
A written draft or final document prepared in accordance with §§ 114-9 and 114-10 of this chapter. An EIS provides a means for agencies, project sponsors and the public to systematically consider significant adverse environmental impacts, alternatives and mitigation. An EIS facilitates the weighing of social, economic and environmental factors early in the planning and decision-making process. A draft EIS is the initial statement prepared by either the project sponsor or the lead agency and circulated for review and comment. An EIS may also be a generic EIS in accordance with § 114-10 of this chapter, a supplemental EIS in accordance with § 114-9A(7) of this chapter or a federal draft or final EIS in accordance with § 114-15 of this chapter.
The weekly publication of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation published pursuant to Section 3-0306 of the Environmental Conservation Law and accessible on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Internet web site at http://www.dec.state.ny.us.
A written statement prepared by each involved agency, in accordance with § 114-11 of this chapter, after a final EIS has been filed, that considers the relevant environmental impacts presented in an EIS, weighs and balances them with social, economic and other essential considerations, provides a rationale for the agency's decision and certifies that the TOBEQRA requirements have been met.
Any financial support given by an agency, including contracts, grants, subsidies, loans or other forms of direct or indirect financial assistance, in connection with a proposed action.
To change or have an effect on any aspect(s) of the environment.
INTERESTED AGENCY(S)
A private group such as a local civic organization that has demonstrated, or is anticipated to, have an interest in an action.
INVOLVED AGENCY(S)
An agency that has jurisdiction by law to fund, approve or directly undertake an action. If an agency will ultimately make a discretionary decision to fund, approve or undertake an action, then it is an involved agency, notwithstanding that it has not received an application for funding or approval at the time the TOBEQRA process is commenced. The lead agency is also an involved agency.
An involved agency principally responsible for undertaking, funding or approving an action, and therefore responsible for determining whether an environmental impact statement is required in connection with the action, and for the preparation and filing of the statement if one is required.
Any local agency, board, authority, district, commission or governing body, including any city, county and other political subdivision of the state. Includes any agency of the Town of Babylon.
An action performed upon a given state of facts in a prescribed manner imposed by law without the exercise of any judgment or discretion as to the propriety of the act, such as the granting of a hunting or fishing license.
A written determination by a lead agency that the implementation of the action as proposed will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts. A negative declaration may also be a conditioned negative declaration as defined in § 114-2 of this chapter. Negative declarations must be prepared, filed and published in accordance with §§ 114-7 and 114-12 of this chapter.
A permit, lease, license, certificate or other entitlement for use or permission to act that may be granted or issued by an agency.
Includes, but is not limited to, the following activities: vegetation removal, demolition, stockpiling materials, grading and other forms of earthwork, dumping, filling or depositing, discharges to air or water, excavation or trenching, application of pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals, application of sewage sludge, dredging, flooding, draining or dewatering, paving, construction of buildings, structures or facilities, and extraction, injection or recharge of resources below ground.
A written statement prepared by the lead agency indicating that implementation of the action as proposed may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and that an environmental impact statement will be required. Positive declarations must be prepared, filed and published in accordance with §§ 114-7 and 114-12 of this chapter.
Any facility used for permanent or seasonal habitation, including but not limited to realty subdivisions, apartments, mobile home parks, and campsites offering any utility hookups for recreational vehicles. It does not include such facilities as hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, dormitories or prisons.
The process by which the lead agency identifies the potentially significant adverse impacts related to the proposed action that are to be addressed in the draft EIS, including the content and level of detail of the analysis, the range of alternatives, the mitigation measures needed and the identification of nonrelevant issues. Scoping provides a project sponsor with guidance on matters which must be considered and provides an opportunity for early participation by involved agencies and the public in the review of the proposal.
The division of the environmental review of an action such that various activities or stages are addressed under this chapter as though they were independent, unrelated activities, needing individual determinations of significance.
An action or class of actions identified in § 114-4 of this chapter, or in any involved agency's procedures adopted in accordance with § 114-14 of this chapter.
An action or class of actions identified in § 114-5 of this chapter. When the term is applied in reference to an individual agency's authority to review or approve a particular proposed project or action, it shall also mean an action or class of actions identified as Type II actions in that agency's own procedures to implement State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) adopted pursuant to Section 617.14 of Part 617 SEQR. The fact that an action is identified as a Type II action in any agency's procedures does not mean that it must be treated as a Type II action by any other involved agency not identifying it as a Type II action in its procedures.
All actions not identified as a Type I or Type II action in this chapter or, in the case of a particular agency action, not identified as a Type I or Type II action in the agency's own SEQR procedures.
No agency involved in an action may undertake, fund or approve the action until it has complied with the provisions of TOBEQRA. A project sponsor may not commence any physical alteration related to an action until the provisions of TOBEQRA have been complied with. The only exception to this is provided under § 114-5C(18), (21) and (28) of this chapter. An involved agency may not issue its findings and decision on an action if it knows any other involved agency has determined that the action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and until a final EIS has been filed. The only exception to this is provided under § 114-9A(5)(a) of this chapter.
TOBEQRA does not change the existing jurisdiction of agencies nor the jurisdiction between or among state and local agencies. TOBEQRA provides all involved agencies with the authority, following the filing of a final EIS and written findings statement, or pursuant to § 114-7D of this chapter to impose substantive conditions upon an action to ensure that the requirements of this chapter have been satisfied. The conditions imposed must be practicable and reasonably related to impacts identified in the EIS or the conditioned negative declaration.
An application for agency funding or approval of a Type I or unlisted action will not be complete until:
Until a draft EIS has been accepted by the lead agency as satisfactory with respect to scope, content and adequacy. When the draft EIS is accepted, the TOBEQRA process will run concurrently with other procedures relating to the review and approval of the action, if reasonable time is provided for preparation, review and public hearings with respect to the draft EIS.
The lead agency will make every reasonable effort to involve project sponsors, other agencies and the public in the TOBEQRA process. Early consultations initiated by agencies can serve to narrow issues of significance and to identify areas of controversy relating to environmental issues, thereby focusing on the impacts and alternatives requiring in-depth analysis in an EIS.
Each agency involved in a proposed action has the responsibility to provide the lead agency with information it may have that may assist the lead agency in making its determination of significance, to identify potentially significant adverse impacts in the scoping process, to comment in a timely manner on the EIS if it has concerns which need to be addressed and to participate, as may be needed, in any public hearing. Interested agencies are strongly encouraged to make known their views on the action, particularly with respect to their areas of expertise and jurisdiction.
No TOBEQRA determination of significance, EIS or findings statement is required for actions which are Type II.
Actions commonly consist of a set of activities or steps. The entire set of activities or steps must be considered the action, whether the agency decision-making relates to the action as a whole or to only a part of it.
Considering only a part or segment of an action is contrary to the intent of TOBEQRA. If a lead agency believes that circumstances warrant a segmented review, it must clearly state in its determination of significance, and any subsequent EIS, the supporting reasons for this course of action and must demonstrate that such review is clearly no less protective of the environment. Related actions should be identified and discussed to the fullest extent possible.
If it is determined that an EIS is necessary for an action consisting of a set of activities or steps, only one draft and one final EIS need be prepared on the action, provided that the statement addresses each part of the action at a level of detail sufficient for an adequate analysis of the significant adverse environmental impacts. Except for a supplement to a generic environmental impact statement (see § 114-10D of this chapter), a supplement to a draft or final EIS will only be required in the circumstances prescribed in § 114-9A(7) of this chapter.
Agencies must carry out the terms and requirements of this chapter with minimum procedural and administrative delay, must avoid unnecessary duplication of reporting and review requirements by providing, where feasible, for combined or consolidated proceedings, and must expedite all TOBEQRA proceedings in the interest of prompt review.
The purpose of the list of Type I actions in this section is to identify, for agencies, project sponsors and the public, those actions and projects that are more likely to require the preparation of an EIS than unlisted actions. All agencies are subject to this Type I list.
This Type I list is not exhaustive of those actions that an agency determines may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and that requires the preparation of an EIS. However, the fact that an action or project has been listed as a Type I action carries with it the presumption that it is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and may require an EIS. For all individual actions which are Type I or unlisted, the determination of significance must be made by comparing the impacts which may be reasonably expected to result from the proposed action with the criteria listed in § 114-7C of this chapter.
Agencies may adopt their own lists of additional Type I actions, may adjust the thresholds to make them more inclusive, and may continue to use previously adopted lists of Type I actions to complement those contained in Section 617.4, (a) (2) (b), 6 NYCRR, Part 617, State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) or amendment thereof. Designation of a Type I action by one involved agency requires coordinated review by all involved agencies. An agency may not designate as Type I any action identified as Type II in Section 617.5 of 6 NYCRR, Part 617, SEQR or amendment thereof.
The adoption of a municipality's land use plan, the adoption by any agency of a comprehensive resource management plan or the initial adoption of a municipality's comprehensive zoning regulations;
The adoption of changes in the allowable uses within any zoning district, affecting 25 or more acres of the district;
The granting of a zoning change, at the request of an applicant, for an action that meets or exceeds one or more of the thresholds given elsewhere in this list;
The acquisition, sale, lease, annexation or other transfer of 100 or more contiguous acres of land by a state or local agency;
Construction of new residential units that meet or exceed the following thresholds:
Fifty or more units not to be connected (at the commencement of habitation) to existing community or public water and sewerage systems, including sewage treatment works;
One hundred or more units to be connected (at the commencement of habitation) to existing community or public water and sewerage systems, including sewage treatment works;
Activities, other than the construction of residential facilities, that meet or exceed any of the following thresholds; or the expansion of existing nonresidential facilities by more than 50 percent of any of the following thresholds:
A project or action that involves the physical alteration of 10 acres or greater;
A project or action that would use groundwater or surface water in excess of 2,000,000 gallons per day;
Parking for 1,000 vehicles;
A facility with 240,000 or more square feet of gross floor area;
Any unlisted action (unless the action is designed for the preservation of the facility or site), occurring wholly or partially within, or substantially contiguous to, any historic building, structure, facility, site or district or prehistoric site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or that has been proposed by the New York State Board on Historic Preservation for a recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer for nomination for inclusion in the National Register, or that is listed on the State Register of Historic Places [The National Register of Historic Places is established by 36 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Parts 60 and 63, 1994 (see Section 617.17, of Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review)];
Any unlisted action, that exceeds 25% of any threshold in this section, occurring wholly or partially within or substantially contiguous to any publicly owned or operated parkland, recreation area or designated open space, including any site on the Register of National Natural Landmarks pursuant to 36 CFR Part 62, 1994 (see Section 617.17 of Part 617, State Environmental Quality Review); or
Any unlisted action that exceeds a Type I threshold established by an involved agency pursuant to Section 617.14 of 6 NYCRR, Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review.
Actions or classes of actions identified in § 114-5C of this chapter are not subject to review under this chapter. These actions have been determined not to have a significant impact on the environment or are otherwise precluded from environmental review under the Environmental Conservation Law, Article 8. The actions identified in § 114-5C of this chapter apply to all agencies of the Town of Babylon.
Each agency may adopt its own list of Type II actions to supplement the actions in § 114-5C of this chapter. No agency is bound by an action on another agency's Type II list. An agency that identifies an action as not requiring any determination or procedure under § 114-5C of this chapter is not an involved agency. Each of the actions on an agency Type II list must:
In no case, have a significant adverse impact on the environment based on the criteria contained in § 114-7C of this chapter; and
Not be a Type I action as defined in § 114-4 of this chapter.
The following actions are not subject to review under this chapter:
Replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site, including upgrading buildings to meet building or fire codes, unless such action meets or exceeds any of the thresholds in § 114-4 of this chapter;
Construction or expansion of a single-family, a two-family or a three-family residence on an approved lot including provision of necessary utility connections as provided in § 114-5C(11) of this chapter and the installation, maintenance and/or upgrade of a drinking water well and a septic system;
Extension of utility distribution facilities, including gas, electric, telephone, cable, water and sewer connections to render service in approved subdivisions or in connection with any action on this list;
Granting of individual setback and lot line variances; variances associated with off-street parking relief up to, and including, 50 parking spaces deficient, in connection with an existing structure, site or facility located in a commercial and or industrial zone; unless such action meets or exceeds any of the thresholds in § 114-4 of this chapter.
Emergency actions that are immediately necessary on a limited and temporary basis for the protection or preservation of life, health, property or natural resources, provided that such actions are directly related to the emergency and are performed to cause the least change or disturbance, practicable under the circumstances, to the environment. Any decision to fund, approve or directly undertake other activities after the emergency has expired is fully subject to the review procedures of this chapter;
Actions undertaken, funded or approved prior to the effective dates set forth in SEQR (see chapters 228 of the Laws of 1976, 253 of the Laws of 1977 and 460 of the Laws of 1978), except in the case of an action where it is still practicable either to modify the action in such a way as to mitigate potentially adverse environmental impacts, or to choose a feasible or less environmentally damaging alternative, the Commissioner may, at the request of any person, or on his own motion, require the preparation of an environmental impact statement; or, in the case of an action where the responsible agency proposed a modification of the action and the modification may result in a significant adverse impact on the environment, an environmental impact statement must be prepared with respect to such modification;
Actions requiring a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need under articles VII, VIII or X of the Public Service Law and the consideration of, granting or denial of any such certificate;
Actions of the Legislature and the Governor of the State of New York or of any court, but not actions of local legislative bodies, except those local legislative decisions such as rezoning where the local legislative body determines the action will not be entertained.
Initial review of actions.
As early as possible in an agency's formulation of an action it proposes to undertake, or as soon as an agency receives an application for funding or for approval of an action, it must do the following:
Determine whether the action is subject to TOBEQRA. If the action is a Type II action, the agency has no further responsibilities under this chapter.
Determine whether the action involves a federal agency. If the action involves a federal agency, then the provisions of § 114-15 of this chapter apply.
Make a preliminary classification of an action as Type I or unlisted, using the information available and comparing it with the thresholds set forth in §§ 114-4 and 114-5 of this chapter. Such preliminary classification will assist in determining whether a full EAF and coordinated review is necessary.
For Type I actions, a full EAF must be used to determine the significance of such actions. The project sponsor must complete and sign and date Part 1 of the full EAF, including a list of all other involved agencies that the project sponsor has been able to identify, exercising all due diligence. The lead agency is responsible for preparing Part 2 and, as needed, Part 3.
For unlisted actions, the short EAF must be used to determine the significance of such actions. However, an agency may instead use the full EAF for unlisted actions if the short EAF would not provide the lead agency with sufficient information on which to base its determination of significance. The lead agency may require other information necessary to determine significance.
When a single agency is involved, that agency will be the lead agency when it proposes to undertake, fund or approve a Type I or unlisted action that does not involve another agency.
If the agency is directly undertaking the action, it must determine the significance of the action as early as possible in the design or formulation of the action.
If the agency has received an application for funding or approval of the action, it must determine the significance of the action within 20 calendar days of its receipt of the application, an EAF, or any additional information reasonably necessary to make that determination, whichever is later.
For all Type I actions and for coordinated review of unlisted actions involving more than one agency, a lead agency must be established prior to a determination of significance. For unlisted actions where there will be no coordinated review, the procedures § 114-6B(4) of this chapter must be followed.
When an agency has been established as the lead agency for an action involving an applicant and has determined that an EIS is required, it must, in accordance with § 114-12B of this chapter, promptly notify the applicant and all other involved agencies, in writing, that it is the lead agency, that an EIS is required and whether scoping will be conducted.
The lead agency will continue in that role until it files either a negative declaration or a findings statement or a lead agency is reestablished in accordance with § 114-6B(6) of this chapter.
When an agency proposes to directly undertake, fund or approve a Type I action or an unlisted action undergoing coordinated review with other involved agencies, it must, as soon as possible, transmit Part 1 of the EAF completed by the project sponsor, or a draft EIS and a copy of any application it has received to all involved agencies and notify them that a lead agency must be agreed upon within 30 calendar days of the date the EAF or draft EIS was transmitted to them. For the purposes of this chapter, and unless otherwise specified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, all coordination and filings with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as an involved agency must be with the appropriate regional office of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The lead agency must determine the significance of the action within 20 calendar days of its establishment as lead agency, or within 20 calendar days of its receipt of all information it may reasonably need to make the determination of significance, whichever occurs later, and must immediately prepare, file and publish the determination in accordance with § 114-12 of this chapter.
An agency conducting an uncoordinated review may proceed as if it were the only involved agency pursuant to § 114-6A of this chapter unless and until it determines that an action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
If an agency determines that the action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment, it must then coordinate with other involved agencies.
At any time prior to its final decision, an agency may have its negative declaration superseded by a positive declaration by any other involved agency.
Actions for which a lead agency cannot be agreed upon.
If, within the 30 calendar days allotted for establishment of lead agency, the involved agencies are unable to agree upon which agency will be the lead agency, any involved agency or the project sponsor may request, by certified mail or other form of receipted delivery to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, that a lead agency be designated. Simultaneously, copies of the request must be sent by certified mail or other form of receipted delivery to all involved agencies and the project sponsor. Any agency raising a dispute must be ready to assume the lead agency functions if such agency is designated by the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The request must identify each involved agency's jurisdiction over the action, and all relevant information necessary for the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to apply the criteria in § 114-6B(5)(e) of this chapter, and state that all comments must be submitted to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation within 10 calendar days after receipt of the request.
Within 10 calendar days of the date a copy of the request is received by them, involved agencies and the project sponsor may submit to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation any comments they may have on the action. Such comments must contain the information indicated in § 114-6B(5)(b) of this chapter.
The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation must designate a lead agency within 20 calendar days of the date of the request or any supplemental information the Commissioner has required is received, based on a review of the facts, the criteria below, and any comments received.
The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will use the following criteria, in order of importance, to designate lead agency:
Notice of the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's designation of lead agency will be mailed to all involved agencies and the project sponsor.
Reestablishment of lead agency may occur by agreement of all involved agencies in the following circumstances:
Upon agreement of the project sponsor, prior to the acceptance of a draft EIS.
Disputes concerning reestablishment of lead agency for a supplement to a final EIS or generic EIS are subject to the designation procedures contained in § 114-6 B(5) of this chapter.
The lead agency must determine the significance of any Type I or unlisted action in writing in accordance with this section.
To determine that an EIS will not be required for an action, the lead agency must determine either that there will be no adverse environmental impacts or that the identified adverse environmental impacts will not be significant.
For all Type I and unlisted actions the lead agency making a determination of significance must:
Consider the action as defined in §§ 114-2 and 114-3G of this chapter;
Review the EAF, the criteria contained in § 114-7C of this chapter and any other supporting information to identify the relevant areas of environmental concern;
To determine whether a proposed Type I or unlisted action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment, the impacts that may be reasonably expected to result from the proposed action must be compared against the criteria in this section. The following list is illustrative, not exhaustive. These criteria are considered indicators of significant adverse impacts on the environment:
A substantial adverse change in existing air quality, groundwater or surface water quality or quantity, traffic or noise levels; a substantial increase in solid waste production; a substantial increase in potential for erosion, flooding, leaching or drainage problems;
The removal or destruction of large quantities of vegetation or fauna; substantial interference with the movement of any resident or migratory fish or wildlife species; impacts on a significant habitat area; substantial adverse impacts on a threatened or endangered species of animal or plant, or the habitat of such a species; or other significant adverse impacts to natural resources;
The impairment of the environmental characteristics of a critical environmental area as designated pursuant to § 114-14G of this chapter;
The creation of a material conflict with a community's current plans or goals as officially approved or adopted;
A substantial change in the use, or intensity of use, of land, including agricultural, open space or recreational resources, or in its capacity to support existing uses;
Two or more related actions undertaken, funded or approved by an agency, none of which has or would have a significant impact on the environment, but when considered cumulatively would meet one or more of the criteria in this section.
For the purpose of determining whether an action may cause one of the consequences listed in § 114-7C of this chapter, the lead agency must consider reasonably related long-term, short-term, direct, indirect and cumulative impacts, including other simultaneous or subsequent actions which are:
Its setting (e.g., urban or rural);
For unlisted actions involving an applicant, a lead agency may prepare a conditioned negative declaration (CND) provided that it:
Has completed a coordinated review in accordance with § 114-6B(3) of this chapter;
Has imposed SEQR conditions pursuant to § 114-3B of this chapter that have mitigated all significant environmental impacts and are supported by the full EAF and any other documentation;
Has published a notice of a CND in the ENB and a minimum thirty-day public comment period has been provided. The notice must state what conditions have been imposed. An agency may also use its own public notice and review procedures, provided the notice states that a CND has been issued, states what conditions have been imposed and allows for a minimum thirty-day public comment period; and
Has complied with §§ 114-7B and 114-12A and B of this chapter.
At any time prior to its decision to undertake, fund or approve an action, a lead agency, at its discretion, may amend a negative declaration when substantive:
Changes are proposed for the project; or
Changes in circumstances related to the project arise that were not previously considered and the lead agency determines that no significant adverse environmental impacts will occur.
The lead agency must prepare, file and publish the amended negative declaration in accordance with § 114-12 of this chapter. The amended negative declaration must contain reference to the original negative declaration and discuss the reasons supporting the amended determination.
Changes in circumstances related to the project arise that were not previously considered and the lead agency determines that a significant adverse environmental impact may result.
If, following reasonable notice to the project sponsor, its determination is the same, the lead agency must prepare, file and publish a positive declaration in accordance with § 114-12 of this chapter.
If scoping is conducted, the project sponsor must submit a draft scope that contains the items identified in § 114-8F(1) through (5) of this chapter to the lead agency. The lead agency must provide a copy of the draft scope to all involved agencies, and make it available to any individual or interested agency that has expressed an interest in writing to the lead agency.
Involved agencies should provide written comments reflecting their concerns, jurisdictions and information needs sufficient to ensure that the EIS will be adequate to support their TOBEQRA findings. Failure of an involved agency to participate in the scoping process will not delay completion of the final written scope.
The extent and quality of information needed for the preparer to adequately address each impact, including an identification of relevant existing information, and required new information, including the required methodology(ies) for obtaining new information;
Those prominent issues that were raised during scoping and determined to be not relevant or not environmentally significant or that have been adequately addressed in a prior environmental review.
The importance and relevance of the information to a potential significant impact;
The reason(s) why the information was not identified during scoping and why it should be included at this stage of the review.
The project sponsor may incorporate information submitted consistent with § 114-8G of this chapter at its discretion. Any substantive information not incorporated into the draft EIS must be considered as public comment on the draft EIS.
The project sponsor or the lead agency, at the project sponsor's option, will prepare the draft EIS. If the project sponsor does not exercise the option to prepare the draft EIS, the lead agency will prepare it, cause it to be prepared or terminate its review of the action. A fee will be charged by the lead agency for the preparation or review of an EIS pursuant to § 114-13 of this chapter. When the project sponsor prepares the draft EIS, the document must be submitted to the lead agency.
When the lead agency has completed a draft EIS or when it has determined that a draft EIS prepared by a project sponsor is adequate for public review, the lead agency must prepare, file and publish a notice of completion of the draft EIS and file copies of the draft EIS in accordance with the requirements set forth in § 114-12 of this chapter. The minimum public comment period on the draft EIS is 30 days. The comment period begins with the first filing and circulation of the notice of completion.
When the lead agency has completed a draft EIS or when it has determined that a draft EIS prepared by a project sponsor is adequate for public review, the lead agency will determine whether or not to conduct a TOBEQRA public hearing concerning the action. In determining whether or not to hold a TOBEQRA hearing, the lead agency will consider the degree of interest in the action shown by the public or involved agencies; whether substantive or significant adverse environmental impacts have been identified; the adequacy of the mitigation measures and alternatives proposed; and the extent to which a public hearing can aid the agency decision-making processes by providing a forum for, or an efficient mechanism for the collection of, public comment. If a hearing is to be held:
The lead agency must prepare and file a notice of hearing in accordance with § 114-12A and B of this chapter. Such notice may be contained in the notice of completion of the draft EIS. The notice of hearing must be published, at least 14 calendar days in advance of the public hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the potential impacts of the action. For state agency actions that apply statewide, this requirement can be satisfied by publishing the hearing notice in the environmental notice bulletin (ENB) and the State Register;
The hearing will commence no less than 15 calendar days or no more than 60 calendar days after the filing of the notice of completion of the draft EIS by the lead agency pursuant to § 114-12B of this chapter. When a SEQR hearing is to be held, it should be conducted with other public hearings on the proposed action, whenever practicable; and
Comments will be received and considered by the lead agency for no less than 30 calendar days from the first filing and circulation of the notice of completion, or no less than 10 calendar days following a public hearing at which the environmental impacts of the proposed action are considered, whichever is later.
Except as provided in § 114-9A(5)(a) of this chapter, the lead agency must prepare or cause to be prepared and must file a final EIS, within 45 calendar days after the close of any hearing or within 60 calendar days after the filing of the draft EIS, whichever occurs later.
No final EIS need be prepared if the proposed action has been withdrawn or, on the basis of the draft EIS, and comments made thereon, the lead agency has determined that the action will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. A negative declaration must then be prepared, filed and published in accordance with § 114-12 of this chapter.
The last date for preparation and filing of the final EIS may be extended if it is determined that additional time is necessary to prepare the statement adequately; or if problems with the proposed action requiring material reconsideration or modification have been identified.
When the lead agency has completed a final EIS, it must prepare, file and publish a notice of completion of the final EIS and file copies of the final EIS in accordance with § 114-12 of this chapter.
The lead agency may require a supplemental EIS, limited to the specific significant adverse environmental impacts not addressed or inadequately addressed in the EIS that arise from:
Changes proposed for the project; or
The decision to require preparation of a supplemental EIS, in the case of newly discovered information, must be based upon the following criteria:
The importance and relevance of the information; and
If a supplement is required, it will be subject to the full environmental impact statement procedures and time frames of this chapter.
An EIS must assemble relevant and material facts upon which an agency's decision is to be made. It must analyze the significant adverse impacts and evaluate all reasonable alternatives. EISs must be analytical and not encyclopedic. The lead agency and other involved agencies must cooperate with project sponsors who are preparing EISs by making available to them information contained in their files relevant to the EIS.
EISs must be clearly and concisely written in plain language that can be read and understood by the public. Within the framework presented in § 114-9B(5) of this chapter, EISs should address only those potential significant adverse environmental impacts that can be reasonably anticipated and/or have been identified in the scoping process. EISs should not contain more detail than is appropriate considering the nature and magnitude of the proposed action and the significance of its potential impacts. Highly technical material should be summarized and, if it must be included in its entirety, should be referenced in the statement and included in an appendix.
All draft and final EISs must be preceded by a cover sheet stating:
The name or descriptive title of the action including the Town of Babylon Planning Board application number, if applicable;
The location (county and town hamlet) and street address, if applicable and Suffolk County tax map number of the action;
The name and address of the lead agency and the name, address and telephone number of a person at the agency who can provide further information;
The names of companies, individuals or organizations, address and phone number that prepared any portion of the statement;
The date of its acceptance by the lead agency; and
The format of the draft EIS may be flexible; however, all draft EISs must include the following elements:
A concise description of the proposed action, its purpose, public need and benefits, including social and economic considerations;
A concise description of the environmental setting of the areas to be affected, sufficient to understand the impacts of the proposed action and alternatives;
Impacts of the proposed action on the use and conservation of energy (for an electric generating facility, the statement must include a demonstration that the facility will satisfy electric generating capacity needs or other electric systems needs in a manner reasonably consistent with the most recent state energy plan);
Impacts of the proposed action on solid waste management and its consistency with the state or locally adopted solid waste management plan;
If the proposed action is in or involves resources in Nassau or Suffolk Counties, impacts of the proposed action on, and its consistency with, the comprehensive management plan for the special groundwater protection area program as implemented pursuant to Article 55 or any plan subsequently ratified and adopted pursuant to Article 57 of the Environmental Conservation Law for Nassau and Suffolk counties;
A description and evaluation of the range of reasonable alternatives to the action that are feasible, considering the objectives and capabilities of the project sponsor. The description and evaluation of each alternative should be at a level of detail sufficient to permit a comparative assessment of the alternatives discussed. The range of alternatives must include the no-action alternative. The no-action alternative discussion should evaluate the adverse or beneficial site changes that are likely to occur in the reasonably foreseeable future, in the absence of the proposed action. The range of alternatives may also include, as appropriate, alternative:
When the action is in an approved local waterfront revitalization program area, with the local program policies;
A list of any underlying studies, reports, EISs and other information obtained and considered in preparing the statement, including the final written scope.
In addition to the analysis of significant adverse impacts required in § 114-9B(5)(c) of this chapter, if information about reasonably foreseeable catastrophic impacts to the environment is unavailable because the cost to obtain it is exorbitant, or the means to obtain it are unknown, or there is uncertainty about its validity, and such information is essential to an agency's TOBEQRA findings, the EIS must:
A draft or final EIS may incorporate by reference all or portions of other documents, including EISs that contain information relevant to the statement. The referenced documents must be made available for inspection by the public within the time period for public comment in the same places where the agency makes available copies of the EIS. When an EIS incorporates by reference, the referenced document must be briefly described, its applicable findings summarized, and the date of its preparation provided.
A final EIS must consist of the draft EIS, including any revisions or supplements to it; copies or a summary of the substantive comments received and their source (whether or not the comments were received in the context of a hearing); and the lead agency's responses to all substantive comments. The draft EIS may be directly incorporated into the final EIS or may be incorporated by reference. The lead agency is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the final EIS, regardless of who prepares it. All revisions and supplements to the draft EIS must be specifically indicated and identified as such in the final EIS.
Generic EISs may be broader and more general than site or project-specific EISs and should discuss the logic and rationale for the choices advanced. They may also include an assessment of specific impacts if such details are available. They may be based on conceptual information in some cases. They may identify the important elements of the natural resource base as well as the existing and projected cultural features, patterns and character. They may discuss in general terms the constraints and consequences of any narrowing of future options. They may present and analyze in general terms a few hypothetical scenarios that could and are likely to occur. A generic EIS may be used to assess the environmental impacts of:
A number of separate actions in a given geographic area which, if considered singly, may have minor impacts, but if considered together may have significant impacts; or
A sequence of actions contemplated by a single agency or individual; or
In particular, agencies may prepare generic EISs on the adoption of a comprehensive plan prepared in accordance with Subdivision 4, § 28-a of the General City Law; Subdivision 4, § 272-a of the Town Law; or Subdivision 4, § 7-722 of the Village Law and the implementing regulations. Impacts of individual actions proposed to be carried out in conformance with these adopted plans and regulations and the thresholds or conditions identified in the generic EIS may require no or limited TOBEQRA review as described in § 114-10C and D of this chapter.
Generic EISs and their findings should set forth specific conditions or criteria under which future actions will be undertaken or approved, including requirements for any subsequent TOBEQRA compliance. This may include thresholds and criteria for supplemental EISs to reflect specific significant impacts, such as site-specific impacts, that were not adequately addressed or analyzed in the generic EIS.
No further TOBEQRA compliance is required if a subsequent proposed action will be carried out in conformance with the conditions and thresholds established for such actions in the generic EIS or its findings statement;
A negative declaration must be prepared if a subsequent proposed action was not addressed or was not adequately addressed in the generic EIS and the subsequent action will not result in any significant environmental impacts;
In connection with projects that are to be developed in phases or stages, agencies should address not only the site-specific impacts of the individual project under consideration, but also, in more general or conceptual terms, the cumulative impacts on the environment and the existing natural resource base of subsequent phases of a larger project or series of projects that may be developed in the future. In these cases, this part of the generic EIS must discuss the important elements and constraints present in the natural and cultural environment that may bear on the conditions of an agency decision on the immediate project.
Prior to the lead agency's decision on an action that has been the subject of a final EIS, it shall afford agencies and the public a reasonable time period (not less than 10 calendar days) in which to consider the final EIS before issuing its written findings statement. If a project modification or change of circumstance related to the project requires a lead or involved agency to substantively modify its decision, findings may be amended and filed in accordance with § 114-12B of this chapter.
No involved agency may make a final decision to undertake, fund, approve or disapprove an action that has been the subject of a final EIS, until the time period provided in § 114-11A of this chapter has passed and the agency has made a written findings statement. Findings and a decision may be made simultaneously.
Certify that the requirements of this chapter have been met;
The following TOBEQRA documents must be prepared, filed, published and made available as prescribed in this section.
Each negative declaration, positive declaration, notice of completion of an EIS, notice of hearing and findings must state that it has been prepared in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and must contain the name and address of the lead agency; the name, address and telephone number of a person who can provide additional information; a brief description of the action; the SEQR classification; and the location of the action.
The draft EIS or draft GEIS shall be posted on a publicly available Internet website upon acceptance by the lead agency. The project sponsor shall be responsible for any costs (if any) associated with the website posting. The website posting of the DEIS or GEIS shall occur prior to the lead agency acting on the proposal. The website posting of the draft EIS or draft GEIS may be discontinued no less than one year after all necessary permits have been issued by the federal, state and local governments. The DEIS shall be available free of charge on the publicly available Internet website. All printed filings and public notices shall clearly indicate the address of the website at which such filing is posted.
In addition to the information contained in § 114-12A(1) of this chapter:
A negative declaration must meet the requirements of § 114-7B of this chapter. A conditioned negative declaration must also identify the specific conditions being imposed that have eliminated or adequately mitigated all significant adverse environmental impacts and the period, not less than 30 calendar days, during which comments will be accepted by the lead agency.
A notice of completion must identify the type of EIS (draft, final, supplemental, generic) and state where copies of the document can be obtained. For a draft EIS the notice must include the time period (not less than 30 calendar days from the date of filing or not less than 10 calendar days following a public hearing on the draft EIS) during which comments will be accepted by the lead agency.
Findings must contain the information required by § 114-11D of this chapter.
The chief executive officer of the political subdivision in which the action will be principally located;
All involved agencies (see also § 114-6B(3) of this chapter);
All SEQR documents and notices, including but not limited to, EAFs, negative declarations, positive declarations, scopes, notices of completion of an EIS, EISs, notices of hearing and findings must be maintained in files that are readily accessible to the public and made available on request.
Notice of a Type I negative declaration, conditioned negative declaration, positive declaration and completion of an EIS must be published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) in a manner prescribed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Notice must be provided by the lead agency directly to Environmental Notice Bulletin, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750 for publication in the ENB. The ENB is accessible on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Internet web site at http://www.dec.state.ny.us.
A notice of hearing must be published, at least 14 days in advance of the hearing date, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the potential impacts of the action.
Agencies may provide for additional public notice by posting on sign boards or by other appropriate means.
Notice of a negative declaration must be incorporated once into any other subsequent notice required by law. This requirement can be satisfied by indicating the SEQR classification of the action and the agency's determination of significance.
When an action subject to this chapter involves an applicant, the lead agency may charge a fee to the applicant in order to recover the actual costs of preparing, causing to be prepared or reviewing the draft or final EIS. Scoping shall be considered part of the draft EIS fee. Such costs shall not exceed the maximum amounts allowed pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617, Section 617.13, State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). An applicant may not be charged a separate fee for both the preparation and review of a draft EIS.
When an applicant chooses not to prepare a draft EIS, the lead agency shall provide the applicant, upon request, with an estimate of the costs for preparing such statement calculated on the total cost of the project for which funding or approval is sought.
Fee schedule for review of EISs.
Residential projects. The fee schedule for review of EISs for residential projects shall be as follows:
Fee Schedule for Residential Projects
Less than or equal to 1 acre and/or less than or equal to 5 units
Greater than 1 acre but less than or equal to 2 acres and/or greater than 5 units but fewer than or equal to 15 units
Greater than 2 acres but less than or equal to 3 acres and/or greater than 15 units but fewer than or equal to 25 units
Greater than 3 acres but less than or equal to 5 acres and/or greater than 25 units but fewer than or equal to 45 units
Greater than 5 acres but less than or equal to 10 acres and/or greater than 45 units but fewer than or equal to 95 units
Greater than 10 acres but less than or equal to 50 acres and/or greater than 95 units but fewer than or equal to 300 units
Greater than 50 acres and/or 300 units
NOTE: In the event that the number of units exceeds the number of acres or the number of acres exceeds the number of units, the higher number shall be used to compute the fee. For calculating the acreage, a full acre or 43,560 square feet shall be used.
Industrial/commercial projects. The fee schedule for review of EISs for industrial/commercial projects shall be as follows:
Fee Schedule for Industrial/Commercial Projects
Less than or equal to 1 acre and/or less than or equal to 18,000 square feet of gross floor area
Greater than 1 acre but less than or equal to 2 acres and/or greater than 18,000 square feet of gross floor area but less than or equal to 34,000 square feet of gross floor area
Greater than 2 acres but less than or equal to 3 acres and/or greater than 34,000 square feet of gross floor area but less than or equal to 52,000 square feet of gross floor area
Greater than 3 acres but less than or equal to 5 acres and/or greater than 52,000 square feet of gross floor area
Greater than 5 acres but less than or equal to 10 acres and/or greater than 92,000 square feet of gross floor area but less than or equal to 200,000 square feet of gross floor area
Greater than 10 acres and/or greater than 200,000 square feet of gross floor area
NOTE: In the event that the gross floor area exceeds the number of acres or the number of acres exceeds the gross floor area, the higher number shall be used to compute the fee. For calculating the acreage, an acre or 43,560 square feet shall be used.
Appeals procedure. When a dispute arises concerning fees charged to an applicant by a lead agency, the applicant may make written request to the lead agency setting forth reasons why it is felt that such fees are inequitable. Upon receipt of a request, the chief fiscal officer of the agency or his designee shall examine the agency record and prepare a written response to the applicant setting forth reasons why the applicant's claims are valid or invalid. Such appeal procedure shall not interfere with or cause delay in the EIS process or prohibit an action from being undertaken.
The technical services of the Department may be made available to other agencies on a fee basis reflecting the costs thereof.
Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law requires all agencies to adopt and publish, after a public hearing, any additional procedures that may be necessary for them to implement SEQR. Until an agency adopts these additional procedures, its implementation of SEQR will be governed by the provisions of NYCRR Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). If an agency rescinds its additional TOBEQRA procedures, it will continue to be governed by Part 617 SEQR. The agency must promptly notify the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Commissioner shall publish a notice in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), of the adoption of additional procedures or the rescission of agency TOBEQRA procedures.
To the greatest extent possible, the procedures prescribed in NYCRR Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) must be incorporated into existing agency procedures. An agency may by local law, code, ordinance, executive order, resolution or regulation vary the time periods established in Part 617 SEQR for the preparation and review of TOBEQRA documents, and for the conduct of public hearings, in order to coordinate the TOBEQRA environmental review process with other procedures relating to the review and approval of actions. Such time changes must not impose unreasonable delay. Individual agency procedures to implement Part 617 SEQR must be no less protective of environmental values, public participation and agency and judicial review than the procedures contained in the most current version of Part 617 SEQR. This includes any updates or changes to these regulations by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Part 617 SEQR supersedes any TOBEQRA provisions promulgated or enacted by an agency that are less protective of the environment.
Agencies may find it helpful to seek the advice and assistance of other agencies, groups and persons on TOBEQRA matters, including the following:
Advice on preparation and review of EAFs;
Preparation and review of EISs and recommendations on the scope, adequacy, and contents of EISs;
All agencies are subject to the lists of Type I and Type II actions contained in §§ 114-4 and 114-5 of this chapter and must apply the criteria provided in § 114-7C of this chapter for review of all potential actions. In addition, agencies may adopt their own lists of Type I actions, in accordance with Section 617.4 of Part 617, State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) and their own lists of Type II actions in accordance with Section 617.5 of Part 617 SEQR.
Every agency that adopts, has adopted or amends TOBEQRA procedures must, after public hearing, file them with the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, who will maintain them to serve as a resource for agencies and interested persons. The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will provide notice in the ENB of such procedures upon filing. All agencies that have promulgated their own TOBEQRA procedures must review and bring them into conformance with NYCRR Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). Until agencies do so, their procedures, where inconsistent or less protective, are superseded by Part 617, SEQR.
A local agency may designate a specific geographic area within its boundaries as a critical environmental area (CEA). A state agency may also designate as a CEA a specific geographic area that is owned or managed by the state or is under its regulatory authority. Designation of a CEA must be preceded by written public notice and a public hearing. The public notice must identify the boundaries and the specific environmental characteristics of the area warranting CEA designation.
Notification that an area has been designated as a CEA must include a map at an appropriate scale to readily locate the boundaries of the CEA, the written justification supporting the designation, and proof of public hearing and must be filed with:
The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation;
The appropriate regional office of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and
This designation shall take effect 30 days after filing with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Each designation of a CEA must be published in the ENB by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will serve as a clearinghouse for information on CEAs.
Following designation, the potential impact of any Type I or unlisted Action on the environmental characteristics of the CEA is a relevant area of environmental concern and must be evaluated in the determination of significance prepared pursuant to § 114-7 of this chapter.
When a draft and final EIS for an action has been duly prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, an agency has no obligation to prepare an additional EIS under this chapter, provided that the federal EIS is sufficient to make findings under § 114-11 of this chapter. However, except in the case of Type II actions listed in § 114-5 of this chapter, no involved agency may undertake, fund or approve the action until the federal final EIS has been completed and the involved agency has made the findings prescribed in § 114-11 of this chapter.
Where a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) or other written threshold determination that the action will not require a federal impact statement has been prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the determination will not automatically constitute compliance with TOBEQRA. In such cases agencies remain responsible for compliance with TOBEQRA.
In the case of an action involving a federal agency for which either a federal FONSI or a federal draft and final EIS has been prepared, except where otherwise required by law, a final decision by a federal agency will not be controlling on any state or local agency decision on the action, but may be considered by the agency.
The following referenced documents have been filed with the New York State Department of State. The documents are available from the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, and for inspection and copying at the Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1750.
National Register of Historic Places, (1994), 36 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Parts 60 and 63.
Register Of National Natural Landmarks,(1994), 36 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 62.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is determined to be contrary to law by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect or impair the validity of the other provisions of this chapter or the application to other persons, and the remedies listed in this chapter are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local law, and it is within the discretion of the authorized enforcement agency to seek cumulative remedies.
This chapter shall be in full force and effect immediately after its final passage and adoption and filing with the New York State Secretary of State. This chapter shall also be filed with the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. All prior laws and parts of law in conflict with this chapter are hereby repealed.