NOCCOG: News: SEQRA Training for Local Officials [Digital Towpath]

In New York State, most projects or activities proposed by a state agency or unit of local government, and all discretionary approvals or permits from a NYS agency or unit of local government require an environmental impact assessment as stated in conservation law. The State Environmental Quality review Act requires the sponsoring or approving government body to identify and mitigate the significant environmental impacts or the activity it is proposing or permitting. This includes town and village comprehensive plans as well as any amendments to these plans.

Local officials often find the steps in the SEQRA process challenging and have requested training to help them with this process. Northern Oneida County Council of Governments is sponsoring SEQRA training for local officials on Thursday, March 13, 7:00pm -9:00pm at the Trenton Municipal Center, 8520 Old Poland Road, Barneveld. Topics to be covered include:

SEQR Act short form and long form.
When should a municipality act as the lead agent in the SEQR process
What are the responsibilities and steps to follow as the lead agent
What other agencies need to be contacted as part of the process
The role of SEQR in site plan review, special use permits, variances, ZBA actions, subdivision review, conditional use permits, comprehensive plans and local laws.

The presenter will be Betty Ann Hughes, Chief/SEQR & Training from the NYS Department of State. This course is eligible for 2 hours of the required annual training for Planning Board and ZBA members

Please register for this training by calling Gerry Ritter, circuit rider, Northern Oneida County Council of Governments at 315-392-2260 by March 7, 2008