Source: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4490.html
Timestamp: 2015-08-05 12:42:01
Document Index: 455843895

Matched Legal Cases: ['§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', 'arts 60', 'art 62', '§617', '§617', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', '§617', 'arts 60', 'art62', '§617', '§617', 'art 617', '§617']

617: State Environmental Quality Review - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
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617: State Environmental Quality Review
(Statutory Authority: Environmental Conservation Law Sections 3-0301(1)(B), 3-0301(2)(M) and 8-0113 (Applicable to All State and Local Agencies Within New York State Including All Political Subdivisions, Districts, Departments, Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Public Benefit Corporations)
[Adopted: September 20, 1995; Effective: January 1, 1996]
[Amended June 26, 2000; Effective: July 12, 2000]
[Includes July 2001 address change for DEC Central Office]
617.1 Authority, intent and purpose
617.2 Definitions
617.3 General rules
617.4 Type I actions
617.5 Type II actions
617.6 Initial review of actions and establishing lead agency
617.7 Determining significance
617.8 Scoping
617.10 Generic environmental impact statements
617.11 Decision-making and findings requirements
617.12 Document preparation, filing, publication and distribution
617.13 Fees and costs
617.14 Individual agency procedures to implement SEQR
617.15 Actions involving a federal agency
617.16 Confidentiality
617.17 Referenced material
617.18 Severability
617.19 Effective date
617.20 Appendices
§617.1 Authority, intent and purpose
(a) This Part is adopted pursuant to sections 3-0301(1)(b), 3-0301(2)(m) and 8-0113 of the Environmental Conservation Law to implement the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR).
(b) In adopting SEQR, it was the Legislature'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.
(c) The basic purpose of SEQR 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, SEQR 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 impact, prepare or request an environmental impact statement.
(d) It was the intention of the Legislature 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 Part that a suitable balance of social, economic and environmental factors be incorporated into the planning and decision-making processes of state, regional and local agencies. It is not the intention of SEQR that environmental factors be the sole consideration in decision-making.
(e) This Part is intended to provide a statewide regulatory framework for the implementation of SEQR by all state and local agencies. It includes:
(1) procedural requirements for compliance with the law;
(2) provisions for coordinating multiple agency environmental reviews through a single lead agency (section 617.6 of this Part);
(3) criteria to determine whether a proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment (section 617.7 of this Part);
(4) model environmental assessment forms to aid in determining whether an action may have a significant adverse impact on the environment (Appendices A, B and C of section 617.20 of this Part); and
(5) examples of actions and classes of actions which are likely to require an EIS (section 617.4 of this Part), and those which will not require an EIS (section 617.5 of this Part).
§617.2 Definitions
(h) Conditioned negative declaration (CND) means 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 subdivision 617.7(d) of this Part, will modify the proposed action so that no significant adverse environmental impacts will result.
(i) Critical environmental area (CEA) means a specific geographic area designated by a state or local agency, having exceptional or unique environmental characteristics.
(k) Direct action or directly undertaken action means 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.
(m) Environmental assessment form (EAF) means a form used by an agency to assist it in determining the environmental significance or nonsignificance of actions. A properly completed EAF must contain enough information to describe the proposed action, its location, its purpose and its potential impacts on the environment. The model full and short EAFs contained in Appendices A and C of section 617.20 of this Part may be modified by an agency to better serve it in implementing SEQR, provided the scope of the modified form is as comprehensive as the model.
(n) Environmental impact statement (EIS) means a written "draft" or "final" document prepared in accordance with sections 617.9 and 617.10 of this Part. 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" in accordance with section 617.10, of this Part, a "supplemental" in accordance with paragraph 617.9(a)(7) of this Part or a "federal" document in accordance with section 617.15 of this Part.
(o) Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) means the weekly publication of the department published pursuant to section 3-0306 of the Environmental Conservation Law , and accessible on the department's internet web site at http://www.dec.state.ny.us.
(r) Impact means to change or have an effect on any aspect(s) of the environment.
(s) Involved agency means 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 SEQR process is commenced. The lead agency is also an "involved agency".
(t) Interested agency means an agency that lacks the jurisdiction to fund, approve or directly undertake an action but wishes to participate in the review process because of its specific expertise or concern about the proposed action. An "interested agency" has the same ability to participate in the review process as a member of the public.
(u) Lead agency means 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.
(v) Local agency means any local agency, board, authority, district, commission or governing body, including any city, county and other political subdivision of the state.
(w) Ministerial act means 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.
(x) Mitigation means a way to avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts.
(y) Negative declaration means 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 subdivision 617.2(h). Negative declarations must be prepared, filed and published in accordance with sections 617.7 and 617.12 of this Part.
(z) Person means any agency, individual, corporation, governmental entity, partnership, association, trustee or other legal entity.
(aa) Permit means a permit, lease, license, certificate or other entitlement for use or permission to act that may be granted or issued by an agency.
(ab) Physical alteration 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.
(ac) Positive declaration means 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 sections 617.7 and 617.12 of this Part.
(ad) Project sponsor means any applicant or agency primarily responsible for undertaking an action.
(ae) Residential means 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.
(af) Scoping means 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.
(ag) Segmentation means the division of the environmental review of an action such that various activities or stages are addressed under this Part as though they were independent, unrelated activities, needing individual determinations of significance.
(ah) State agency means any state department, agency, board, public benefit corporation, public authority or commission.
(ai) Type I action means an action or class of actions identified in section 617.4 of this Part, or in any involved agency's procedures adopted pursuant to section 617.14 of this Part.
(aj) Type II action means an action or class of actions identified in section 617.5 of this Part. 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 SEQR adopted pursuant to section 617.14 of this Part. 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.
(ak) Unlisted action means all actions not identified as a Type I or Type II action in this Part, 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.
§617.3 General rules
(a) No agency involved in an action may undertake, fund or approve the action until it has complied with the provisions of SEQR. A project sponsor may not commence any physical alteration related to an action until the provisions of SEQR have been complied with. The only exception to this is provided under paragraphs 617.5(c)(18), (21) and (28) of this Part. 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 until a final EIS has been filed. The only exception to this is provided under subparagraph 617.9(a)(5)(i) of this Part.
(b) SEQR does not change the existing jurisdiction of agencies nor the jurisdiction between or among state and local agencies. SEQR provides all involved agencies with the authority, following the filing of a final EIS and written findings statement, or pursuant to subdivision 617.7(d) of this Part to impose substantive conditions upon an action to ensure that the requirements of this Part have been satisfied. The conditions imposed must be practicable and reasonably related to impacts identified in the EIS or the conditioned negative declaration.
(e) 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.
(2) 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 subdivision 617.10(d) of this Part), a supplement to a draft or final EIS will only be required in the circumstances prescribed in paragraph 617.9(a)(7) of this Part.
§617.4 Type I actions
(a) 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.
(1) This Type I list is not exhaustive of those actions that an agency determines may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and require 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 subdivision 617.7(c) of this Part.
(2) 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 this section. 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 this Part.
(b) The following actions are Type I if they are to be directly undertaken, funded or approved by an agency:
(1) 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;
(2) the adoption of changes in the allowable uses within any zoning district, affecting 25 or more acres of the district;
(3) 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;
(4) the acquisition, sale, lease, annexation or other transfer of 100 or more contiguous acres of land by a state or local agency;
(5) construction of new residential units that meet or exceed the following thresholds:
(i) 10 units in municipalities that have not adopted zoning or subdivision regulations;
(ii) 50 units not to be connected (at the commencement of habitation) to existing community or public water and sewerage systems including sewage treatment works;
(iii) in a city, town or village having a population of less than 150,000, 250 units to be connected (at the commencement of habitation) to existing community or public water and sewerage systems including sewage treatment works;
(iv) in a city, town or village having a population of greater than 150,000 but less than 1,000,000, 1,000 units to be connected (at the commencement of habitation) to existing community or public water and sewerage systems including sewage treatment works; or
(v) in a city or town having a population of greater than 1,000,000, 2,500 units to be connected (at the commencement of habitation) to existing community or public water and sewerage systems including sewage treatment works;
(6) 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:
(i) a project or action that involves the physical alteration of 10 acres;
(ii) a project or action that would use ground or surface water in excess of 2,000,000 gallons per day;
(v) in a city, town or village having a population of more than 150,000 persons, a facility with more than 240,000 square feet of gross floor area;
(7) any structure exceeding 100 feet above original ground level in a locality without any zoning regulation pertaining to height;
(8) any Unlisted action that includes a nonagricultural use occurring wholly or partially within an agricultural district (certified pursuant to Agriculture and Markets Law, article 25-AA, sections 303 and 304) and exceeds 25 percent of any threshold established in this section;
(9) 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 this Part));
(10) any Unlisted action, that exceeds 25 percent 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 this Part); or
(11) any Unlisted action that exceeds a Type I threshold established by an involved agency pursuant to section 617.14 of this Part.
§617.5 Type II actions
(a) Actions or classes of actions identified in subdivision (c) of this section are not subject to review under this Part. These actions have been determined not to have a significant impact on the environment or are otherwise precluded from environmental review under Environmental Conservation Law, article 8. The actions identified in subdivision (c) of this section apply to all agencies.
(b) Each agency may adopt its own list of Type II actions to supplement the actions in subdivision (c) of this section. 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 this Part is not an involved agency. Each of the actions on an agency Type II list must:
(1) in no case, have a significant adverse impact on the environment based on the criteria contained in subdivision 617.7(c) of this Part; and
(2) 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 section 617.4 of this Part;
(3) agricultural farm management practices, including construction, maintenance and repair of farm buildings and structures, and land use changes consistent with generally accepted principles of farming;
(4) repaving of existing highways not involving the addition of new travel lanes;
(5) street openings and right-of-way openings for the purpose of repair or maintenance of existing utility facilities;
(6) maintenance of existing landscaping or natural growth;
(7) construction or expansion of a primary or accessory/appurtenant, non-residential structure or facility involving less than 4,000 square feet of gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a use variance and consistent with local land use controls, but not radio communication or microwave transmission facilities;
(8) routine activities of educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area and school closings, but not changes in use related to such closings;
(9) 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 paragraph (11) and the installation, maintenance and/or upgrade of a drinking water well and a septic system;
(10) construction, expansion or placement of minor accessory/appurtenant residential structures, including garages, carports, patios, decks, swimming pools, tennis courts, satellite dishes, fences, barns, storage sheds or other buildings not changing land use or density;
(11) 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;
(12) granting of individual setback and lot line variances;
(13) granting of an area variance(s) for a single-family, two-family or three-family residence;
(14) public or private best forest management (silvicultural) practices on less than 10 acres of land, but not including waste disposal, land clearing not directly related to forest management, clear-cutting or the application of herbicides or pesticides;
(15) minor temporary uses of land having negligible or no permanent impact on the environment;
(16) installation of traffic control devices on existing streets, roads and highways;
(17) mapping of existing roads, streets, highways, natural resources, land uses and ownership patterns;
(18) information collection including basic data collection and research, water quality and pollution studies, traffic counts, engineering studies, surveys, subsurface investigations and soils studies that do not commit the agency to undertake, fund or approve any Type I or Unlisted action;
(19) official acts of a ministerial nature involving no exercise of discretion, including building permits and historic preservation permits where issuance is predicated solely on the applicant's compliance or noncompliance with the relevant local building or preservation code(s);
(20) routine or continuing agency administration and management, not including new programs or major reordering of priorities that may affect the environment;
(21) conducting concurrent environmental, engineering, economic, feasibility and other studies and preliminary planning and budgetary processes necessary to the formulation of a proposal for action, provided those activities do not commit the agency to commence, engage in or approve such action;
(22) collective bargaining activities;
(23) investments by or on behalf of agencies or pension or retirement systems, or refinancing existing debt;
(24) inspections and licensing activities relating to the qualifications of individuals or businesses to engage in their business or profession;
(25) purchase or sale of furnishings, equipment or supplies, including surplus government property, other than the following: land, radioactive material, pesticides, herbicides, or other hazardous materials;
(26) license, lease and permit renewals, or transfers of ownership thereof, where there will be no material change in permit conditions or the scope of permitted activities;
(27) adoption of regulations, policies, procedures and local legislative decisions in connection with any action on this list;
(28) engaging in review of any part of an application to determine compliance with technical requirements, provided that no such determination entitles or permits the project sponsor to commence the action unless and until all requirements of this Part have been fulfilled;
(29) civil or criminal enforcement proceedings, whether administrative or judicial, including a particular course of action specifically required to be undertaken pursuant to a judgment or order, or the exercise of prosecutorial discretion;
(30) adoption of a moratorium on land development or construction;
(31) interpreting an existing code, rule or regulation;
(32) designation of local landmarks or their inclusion within historic districts;
(33) 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 Part;
(34) 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;
(35) 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;
(36) actions subject to the class A or class B regional project jurisdiction of the Adirondack Park Agency or a local government pursuant to section 807, 808 and 809 of the Executive Law, except class B regional projects subject to review by local government pursuant to section 807 of the Executive Law located within the Lake George Park as defined by subdivision one of section 43-0103 of the Environmental Conservation Law; and
(37) 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.
§617.6 Initial review of actions and establishing lead agency
(i) Determine whether the action is subject to SEQR. If the action is a Type II action, the agency has no further responsibilities under this Part.
(ii) Determine whether the action involves a federal agency. If the action involves a federal agency, the provisions of section 617.15 of this Part apply.
(iii) Determine whether the action may involve one or more other agencies.
(2) For Type I actions, a full EAF (see section 617.20, Appendix A, of this Part) must be used to determine the significance of such actions. The project sponsor must complete 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.
(3) For Unlisted actions, the short EAF (see section 617.20, Appendix C, of this Part) 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.
(4) An agency may waive the requirement for an EAF if a draft EIS is prepared or submitted. The draft EIS may be treated as an EAF for the purpose of determining significance.
(5) For state agencies only, determine whether the action is located in the coastal area. If the action is either Type I or Unlisted and is in the coastal area, the provisions of 19 NYCRR 600 also apply. This provision applies to all state agencies, whether acting as a lead or involved agency.
(6) Determine whether the Type I or Unlisted action is located in an agricultural district and comply with the provisions of subdivision (4) of section 305 of article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law, if applicable.
(i) 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 in paragraph 617.6(b)(4) of this Part must be followed.
(ii) 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 subdivision 617.12(b) of this Part, 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.
(iii) The lead agency will continue in that role until it files either a negative declaration or a findings statement or a lead agency is re-established in accordance with paragraph 617.6(b)(6) of this Part.
(5) Actions for which lead agency cannot be agreed upon.
(ii) The request must identify each involved agency's jurisdiction over the action, and all relevant information necessary for the commissioner to apply the criteria in subparagraph (v) of this subdivision, and state that all comments must be submitted to the commissioner within 10 calendar days after receipt of the request.
(iii) 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 any comments they may have on the action. Such comments must contain the information indicated in subparagraph (ii) of this subdivision.
(ii) Disputes concerning re-establishment of lead agency for a supplement to a final EIS or generic EIS are subject to the designation procedures contained in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of this section.
§617.7 Determining significance
(iii) the impairment of the environmental characteristics of a Critical Environmental Area as designated pursuant to subdivision 617.14(g) of this Part;
(ii) likely to be undertaken as a result thereof; or
(ii) has completed a coordinated review in accordance with paragraph 617.6(b)(3) of this Part;
(iii) has imposed SEQR conditions pursuant to subdivision 617.3(b) of this Part that have mitigated all significant environmental impacts and are supported by the full EAF and any other documentation;
(v) has complied with subdivisions 617.7(b) and 617.12(a) and (b) of this Part.
§617.8 Scoping
(a) The primary goals of scoping are to focus the EIS on potentially significant adverse impacts and to eliminate consideration of those impacts that are irrelevant or nonsignificant. Scoping is not required. Scoping may be initiated by the lead agency or the project sponsor.
(b) If scoping is conducted, the project sponsor must submit a draft scope that contains the items identified in paragraphs 617.8(f)(1) through (5) of this section 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.
(c) If scoping is not conducted, the project sponsor may prepare a draft EIS for submission to the lead agency.
(d) 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 SEQR findings. Failure of an involved agency to participate in the scoping process will not delay completion of the final written scope.
(e) Scoping must include an opportunity for public participation. The lead agency may either provide a period of time for the public to review and provide written comments on a draft scope or provide for public input through the use of meetings, exchanges of written material, or other means.
(f) The lead agency must provide a final written scope to the project sponsor, all involved agencies and any individual that has expressed an interest in writing to the lead agency within 60 days of its receipt of a draft scope. The final written scope should include:
(1) a brief description of the proposed action;
(2) the potentially significant adverse impacts identified both in the positive declaration and as a result of consultation with the other involved agencies and the public, including an identification of those particular aspect(s) of the environmental setting that may be impacted;
(3) 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;
(4) an initial identification of mitigation measures;
(5) the reasonable alternatives to be considered;
(6) an identification of the information/data that should be included in an appendix rather than the body of the draft EIS; and
(7) 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.
(g) All relevant issues should be raised before the issuance of a final written scope. Any agency or person raising issues after that time must provide to the lead agency and project sponsor a written statement that identifies:
(1) the nature of the information;
(2) the importance and relevance of the information to a potential significant impact;
(3) the reason(s) why the information was not identified during scoping and why it should be included at this stage of the review.
(h) The project sponsor may incorporate information submitted consistent with subdivision 617.8(g) of this section into the draft EIS at its discretion. Any substantive information not incorporated into the draft EIS must be considered as public comment on the draft EIS.
(i) If the lead agency fails to provide a final written scope within 60 calendar days of its receipt of a draft scope, the project sponsor may prepare and submit a draft EIS consistent with the submitted draft scope.
§617.9 Preparation and content of environmental impact statements
(1) 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 may be charged by the lead agency for preparation or review of an EIS pursuant to section 617.13 of this Part. When the project sponsor prepares the draft EIS, the document must be submitted to the lead agency.
(2) The lead agency will use the final written scope, if any, and the standards contained in this section to determine whether to accept the draft EIS as adequate with respect to its scope and content for the purpose of commencing public review. This determination must be made in accordance with the standards in this section within 45 days of receipt of the draft EIS.
(ii) The lead agency must determine whether to accept the resubmitted draft EIS within 30 days of its receipt.
(i) the lead agency must prepare and file a notice of hearing in accordance with subdivisions617.12(a) and (b) of this Part. 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 ENB and the State Register;
(ii) 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 subdivision 617.12(b) of this Part. When a SEQR hearing is to be held, it should be conducted with other public hearings on the proposed action, whenever practicable; and
(b) 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 section 617.12 of this Part.
(ii) The last date for preparation and filing of the final EIS may be extended:
(a) changes proposed for the project; or
(iii) If a supplement is required, it will be subject to the full procedures of this Part.
(2) EISs must be clearly and concisely written in plain language that can be read and understood by the public. Within the framework presented in paragraph 617.9(b)(5) of this subdivision, 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.
(i ) whether it is a draft or final EIS;
(g) types of action. For private project sponsors, any alternative for which no discretionary approvals are needed may be described. Site alternatives may be limited to parcels owned by, or under option to, a private project sponsor;
(6) In addition to the analysis of significant adverse impacts required in subparagraph 617.9(b)(5)(iii) of this section, 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 SEQR findings, the EIS must:
(8) 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.
§617.10 Generic environmental impact statements
(a) 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.
(b) In particular agencies may prepare generic EISs on the adoption of a comprehensive plan prepared in accordance with subdivision 4, section 28-a of the General City Law; subdivision 4, section 272-a of the Town Law; or subdivision 4, section 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 SEQR review as described in subdivisions (c) and (d) of this section.
(3) 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;
§617.11 Decision-making and findings requirements
(a) 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 subdivision 617.12(b) of this Part.
(b) In the case of an action involving an applicant, the lead agency's filing of a written findings statement and decision on whether or not to fund or approve an action must be made within 30 calendar days after the filing of the final EIS.
(c) 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 subdivision 617.11(a) of this section has passed and the agency has made a written findings statement. Findings and a decision may be made simultaneously.
(e) No state agency may make a final decision on an action that has been the subject of a final EIS and is located in the coastal area until the agency has made a written finding that the action is consistent with applicable policies set forth in 19 NYCRR 600.5. When the Secretary of State has approved a local government waterfront revitalization program, no state agency may make a final decision on an action, that is likely to affect the achievement of the policies and purposes of such program, until the agency has made a written finding that the action is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with that local waterfront revitalization program.
§617.12 Document preparation, filing, publication and distribution
(1) 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.
(2 ) In addition to the information contained in paragraph (a)(1) of this subdivision:
(i) A negative declaration must meet the requirements of subdivision 617.7(b) of this Part. 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.
(ii) A positive declaration must identify the potential significant adverse environmental impacts that require the preparation of an EIS and state whether scoping will be conducted.
(v) Findings must contain the information required by subdivisions 617.11(d) and (e) of this Part.
(iii) all involved agencies (see also paragraph 617.6(b)(3)) of this Part;
(5) If sufficient copies of the EIS are not available to meet public interest, the lead agency must provide an additional copy of the documents to the local public library.
6) A copy of the EIS must be sent to the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750.
(1) 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 department. 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 department's internet web site at http://www.dec.state.ny.us.
§617.13 Fees and costs
(a) When an action subject to this Part involves an applicant, the lead agency may charge a fee to the applicant in order to recover the actual costs of either preparing or reviewing the draft and/or final EIS. The fee may include a chargeback to recover a proportion of the lead agency's actual costs expended for the preparation of a generic EIS prepared pursuant to section 617.10 of this Part for the geographic area where the applicant's project is located. The chargeback may be based on the percentage of the remaining developable land or the percentage of road frontage to be used by the project, or any other reasonable methods. The fee must not exceed the amounts allowed under subdivisions (b) through (d) of this section. If the lead agency charges for preparation of a draft and/or final EIS, it may not also charge for review; if it charges for review of a draft and/or final EIS, it may not also charge for preparation. Scoping will be considered part of the draft EIS for purposes of determining a SEQR fee; no fee may be charged for preparation of an EAF or determination of significance.
(b) For residential projects, the total project value will be calculated on the actual purchase price of the land or the fair market value of the land (determined by assessed valuation divided by equalization rate) whichever is higher, plus the cost of all required site improvements, not including the cost of buildings and structures, as determined with reference to a current cost data publication in common use. In the case of such projects, the fee charged by an agency may not exceed two percent of the total project value.
(c) For nonresidential construction projects, the total project value will be calculated on the actual purchase price of the land or the fair market value of the land (determined by the assessed valuation divided by equalization rate) whichever is higher, plus the cost of supplying utility service to the project, the cost of site preparation and the cost of labor and material as determined with reference to a current cost data publication in common use. In the case of such projects the fee charged may not exceed one half of one percent of the total project value.
(d) For projects involving the extraction of minerals, the total project value will be calculated on the cost of site preparation for mining. Site preparation cost means the cost of clearing and grubbing and removal of over-burden for the entire area to be mined plus the cost of utility services and construction of access roads. Such costs are determined with reference to a current cost data publication in common use. The fee charged by the agency may not exceed one half of one percent of the total project value. For those costs to be incurred for phases occurring three or more years after issuance of a permit, the total project value will be determined using a present value calculation.
(e) Where an applicant chooses not to prepare a draft EIS, the lead agency will provide the applicant, upon request, with an estimate of the costs for preparing the draft EIS calculated on the total value of the project for which funding or approval is sought.
(f) "Appeals procedure". When a dispute arises concerning fees charged to an applicant by a lead agency, the applicant may make a written request to the 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 will 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 must not interfere with or cause delay in the EIS process or prohibit an action from being undertaken.
(g) The technical services of the department may be made available to other agencies on a fee basis, reflecting the costs thereof, and the fee charged to any applicant pursuant to this section may reflect such costs.
§617.14 Individual agency procedures to implement SEQR
(b) To the greatest extent possible, the procedures prescribed in this Part 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 this Part for the preparation and review of SEQR documents, and for the conduct of public hearings, in order to coordinate the SEQR 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 SEQR must be no less protective of environmental values, public participation and agency and judicial review than the procedures contained in this Part. This Part supersedes any SEQR provisions promulgated or enacted by an agency that are less protective of the environment.
(1) advice on preparation and review of EAFs;
(2) recommendations on the significance or non-significance of actions;
(e) All agencies are subject to the lists of Type I and Type II actions contained in this Part, and must apply the criteria provided in subdivision 617.7(c) of this Part. In addition, agencies may adopt their own lists of Type I actions, in accordance with section 617.4 of this Part and their own lists of Type II actions in accordance with section 617.5 of this Part.
§617.15 Actions involving a federal agency
(a) 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 Part, provided that the federal EIS is sufficient to make findings under section 617.11 of this Part. However, except in the case of Type II actions listed in section 617.5 of this Part, 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 section 617.11 of this Part.
(b) Where a finding of no significant impact (FNSI) 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 SEQR. In such cases, state and local agencies remain responsible for compliance with SEQR.
(c) In the case of an action involving a federal agency for which either a federal FNSI 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.
§617.16 Confidentiality
When a project sponsor submits a completed EAF, draft or final EIS, or otherwise provides information concerning the environmental impacts of a proposed project, the project sponsor may request, consistent with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), article 6 of the Public Officers Law, that specifically identified information be held confidential. Prior to divulging any such information, the agency must notify the applicant of its determination of whether or not it will hold the information confidential.
§617.17 Referenced material
The following referenced documents have been filed with the New York State Department of State. The documents are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, and for inspection and copying at the Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1750.
(a) National Register of Historic Places, (1994), 36 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Parts 60 and 63.
(b) Register Of National Natural Landmarks,(1994), 36 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part62.
§617.18 Severability
If any provision of this Part 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 Part or the application to other persons and circumstances
§617.19 Effective date
This Part, as revised, applies to actions for which a determination of significance has not been made prior to January 1, 1996. Actions for which a determination of significance has been made prior to January 1, 1996 must comply with Part 617 effective June 1, 1987.
§617.20 Appendices
Appendices A, B and C are model environmental assessment forms which may be used to satisfy this Part or may be modified in accordance with sections 617.2 and 617.14 of this Part.