State Environmental Quality Review Act Services (SEQR) Services

In New York State, essentially every action by a municipal or State agency requires compliance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, commonly called SEQR, and triggers the need for an environmental assessment. SEQR is a procedural regulatory requirement that requires the consideration of potential environmental impacts associated with proposed actions, as early as practicable in the planning process.

Some actions are so trivial or inconsequential that they are classified as “Type II” actions and require no further consideration under SEQR, while other actions, like the siting of a large chemical manufacturing facility or a power plant are “Type I” actions that usually require the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

Some of C.T. Male Associates typical project types include:

• Providing SEQR services/knowledge to a Planning Board or Town Board as a client and assisting them with the technical review of a large or complex project. Fees for this work are paid by the Applicant and not the municipal entity.
• Providing SEQR compliance services to a private company or utility that wants to develop or permit a project. Our work scope could include a strategy for a “quick decision” utilizing a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance—in this instance we would take the approach of providing an expanded environmental assessment report along with Part 1 of a Full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to substantiate a Negative Declaration. In other instances, especially for larger, complex or controversial projects (e.g., landfills, power plants, large manufacturing facilities), a common approach is to do a DEIS with an initial application. Generally, a 6-9 month period, is anticipated at a minimum to complete the DEIS process which includes a 30-day public review period.