Overview
State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) establishes a process to systematically consider environmental factors early in the planning stages of actions that are directly undertaken, funded or approved by local, regional and state agencies. By incorporating environmental review early in the planning stages, projects can be modified as needed to avoid adverse impacts on the environment
What is a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS)?
A generic EIS is a type of EIS that is typically used to consider broad-based actions or related groups of actions that agencies may approve, fund, or directly undertake. A generic EIS differs from a site or project specific EIS by being more general or conceptual in nature. The broader focus of a generic EIS may aid the lead agency in identifying and broadly analyzing the cumulative impacts of a group of actions, or a combination of impacts from a single action. Generic EISs may identify information gaps to be assessed on a site -or project- Specific basis or may address some issues through hypothetical scenarios.
What is scoping?
Scoping is a process that develops a written document (scope) which outlines the topics and analyses of potential environmental impacts of an action that will be addressed in a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS, or draft EIS). The process for scoping is set out in 6 NYCRR 617.8.2.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE JULY 11, 2019 DRAFT SCOPING DOCUMENT.
What is the purpose of scoping?
The purpose of scoping is to narrow issues and ensure that the draft EIS will be a concise, accurate and complete document that is adequate for public review. The scoping process is intended to:
- Ensure public participation in the EIS development process;
- Allow open discussion of issues of public concern; and
- Permit inclusion of relevant, substantive public issues in the final written scope. The scoping process can also allow the lead agency and other involved agencies to reach agreement on relevant issues to minimize the inclusion of unnecessary issues.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON THE AUGUST 19, 2019 PUBLIC SCOPING SESSION.
Further SEQR guidance can be found in the NYSDEC SEQR Hand book.