Draft SEQR Handbook

Since it first appeared in March 1982, the SEQR Handbook has been a standard reference book for state, county and local government officials; environmental consultants; attorneys; permit applicants; and the public at large.

When the SEQR regulations were amended in January 1996 some of the information included in the 2^nd edition of the handbook, published November 1992, became out of date.

Requests for a new edition of the handbook have been steady. In addition, many people have sent in suggestions, questions and topics for consideration for the next edition.

We've heard you! The DEC SEQR staff have been working on updates and as the draft of each section is completed, it will be posted here. We have tried to address the topics, concerns and confusions that you have identified. As with earlier handbooks, each topic will be presented in a question and answer format. When all the sections have been introduced here on the website and redrafted based on comments received, a final version of the handbook will be posted to the website and, eventually published in hard copy.

We welcome your comments! The first sections to be drafted are accessible by selecting the links in the top section of this page. To send comments, suggestions or corrections please e-mail us or select a "Comments" link on any of the individual handbook sections posted.

If you prefer to send comments via surface mail, you may send them to:

NYSDEC
Division of Environmental Permits
Attn: Robert Ewing
625 Broadway, 4th Floor
Albany NY 12233-1750

Thank you for your patience. The department looks forward to your comments on the draft SEQR Handbook sections.

Betty Ann Hughes, Chief
SEQR and Training
Division of Environmental Permits

More about Draft SEQR Handbook:

SEQR Handbook: Introduction - The SEQR Handbook provides agencies, project sponsors, and the public with a practical reference guide to the procedures prescribed by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)--Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law
Agencies Subject to SEQR: The Who, What, and When - Who is subject to SEQR.
Decisions Subject to SEQR: The Who, What, and When - All "discretionary" decisions of an agency to approve, fund or directly undertake an action which may affect the environment are subject to review under SEQR
When to Begin SEQR - At what point in the decision-making process must SEQR be applied?
Participation in the SEQR Process A. Coordinated Review - Coordinated review is the process by which all involved agencies cooperate in one integrated environmental review
Participation in the SEQR Process B. Uncoordinated Review - Uncoordinated review is the process by which involved agencies review the impacts of a proposed action, independently, issue a negative declaration, and make a decision to fund, undertake or approve the action
Participation in the SEQR Process C. Establishment of Lead Agency - The purpose of having a lead agency is to coordinate the SEQR process so that when an action is to be carried out, funded or approved by two or more agencies,a single integrated environmental review is conducted
Participation in the SEQR Process D. Lead Agency Responsibilities - The purpose of having a lead agency is to coordinate the SEQR process so that when an action is to be carried out, funded or approved by two or more agencies,a single integrated environmental review is conducted
Participation in the SEQR Process E. Involved Agency Responsibilities - For SEQR purposes, an agency is "involved" when the determination is made that the agency has or will have a discretionary decision to make regarding some aspect of the action
Participation in the SEQR Process F. Project Sponsor/Applicant - Participation in the SEQR Process
Participation in the SEQR Process G. Interested Agency and Public Involvement - Individuals, interest groups and public agencies which are interested but not involved may become aware of proposed actions
Participation in the SEQR Process H. Lead Agency Disputes - A lead agency dispute occurs when, at the end of the 30-calendar day period allotted for lead agency establishment, there is failure among involved agencies to agree on which one should conduct the SEQR process for a particular action
SEQR and Local Government A. General Applicability of SEQR to Local Governments - General Applicability of SEQR to Local Governments
SEQR and Local Government B. SEQR and Land Use Decisions - Land Use Decisions
SEQR and Local Government C. SEQR and Capital Improvements - How does SEQR apply to capital improvements and other infrastructure development undertaken by local governments
SEQR and Local Government D. SEQR and Municipal Annexations - Municipal Annexations
SEQR and Local Government E. SEQR and Municipal Development Incentives - What forms of public financial support of development incentives by a municipality are subject to SEQR
SEQR Handbook: Scoping - Since it first appeared in March 1982, the SEQR Handbook has been a standard reference book for state, county and local government officials; environmental consultants; attorneys; permit applicants; and the public
SEQR Handbook: Segmentation - In 6 NYCRR Part 617.2(ag), segmentation is defined as the division of the environmental review of an action so that various activities or stages are addressed as though they were independent, unrelated activities needing individual determinations of significance
SEQR Handbook: Type II Actions - Type II actions are those actions, or classes of actions, which have been found categorically to not have significant adverse impacts on the environment, or actions that have been statutorily exempted from SEQR review.