The SEQR Process and Habitat Conservation

A training for municipal officials

In New York, State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) requires all state and local government agencies to equally examine environmental impacts along with social and economic considerations during discretionary decision-making, including the review of proposed development projects. The SEQR process provides an important opportunity for local decision-makers to identify and avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential impacts to valuable natural areas.

This training will introduce the SEQR process, lead agency responsibilities, and local authority to conserve the environment. It will focus especially on questions in Parts 1 and 2 of the Environmental Assessment Forms relating to habitats and biodiversity and include an interactive exercise. Participants will learn about questions to ask during environmental reviews and sources of information to support a thorough consideration of habitats and biodiversity in SEQR.

Certificates of attendance will be available for those seeking municipal training credit.       

Training hours: 2.5 

Note: participants with no prior SEQR training or experience are encouraged to take the NYS Department of State’s SEQRA Basics online training prior to the program, available at https://dos.ny.gov/state-environmental-quality-review-act-seqra-basics.

November 8, 5:30-8:30 pm, DEC Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, NY Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YKTKN7S

Light dinner will be offered 5:30-6:00pm. The formal program will begin at 6:00pm.

Presenters:

Bonnie Franson, AICP Certified Environmental Planner (CEP), Nelson Pope Voorhis

Emily Svenson, Esq., Gordon and Svenson LLP