N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 6 § 617.10

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 617.10 - Generic environmental impact statements

(a) Generic EISs may be broader, and more general than site or project specific EISs and should discuss the logic and rationale for the choices advanced. They may also include an assessment of specific impacts if such details are available. They may be based on conceptual information in some cases. They may identify the important elements of the natural resource base as well as the existing and projected cultural features, patterns and character. They may discuss in general terms the constraints and consequences of any narrowing of future options. They may present and analyze in general terms a few hypothetical scenarios that could and are likely to occur. A generic EIS may be used to assess the environmental impacts of:

(1) a number of separate actions in a given geographic area which, if considered singly, may have minor impacts, but if considered together may have significant impacts;

(2) a sequence of actions, contemplated by a single agency or individual;

(3) separate actions having generic or common impacts; or

(4) an entire program or plan having wide application or restricting the range of future alternative policies or projects, including new or significant changes to existing land use plans, development plans, zoning regulations or agency comprehensive resource management plans.

(b) In particular, agencies may prepare generic EISs on the adoption of a comprehensive plan prepared in accordance with subdivision 4, section 28-a of the General City Law; subdivision 4, section 272-a of the Town Law; or subdivision 4, section 7-722 of the Village Law and the implementing regulations. Impacts of individual actions proposed to be carried out in conformance with these adopted plans and regulations and the thresholds or conditions identified in the generic EIS may require no or limited SEQR review as described in subdivisions (c) and (d) of this section.

(c) Generic EISs and their findings should set forth specific conditions or criteria under which future actions may be undertaken or approved, including requirements for any subsequent SEQR compliance. This may include thresholds and criteria for supplemental EISs to reflect specific significant impacts, such as site-specific impacts, that were not adequately addressed or analyzed in the generic EIS.

(d) When a final generic EIS has been filed under this part:

(1) No further SEQR compliance is required in the following circumstances:

(i) if a subsequent proposed action will be carried out in conformance with the conditions and thresholds established for such actions in the generic EIS or its findings statement; or

(ii) the lead agency determines not to approve, undertake or fund the action;

(2) An amended findings statement must be prepared if the subsequent proposed action was adequately addressed in the generic EIS but was not addressed or was not adequately addressed in the findings statement for the generic EIS;

(3) A negative declaration must be prepared if a subsequent proposed action was not addressed or was not adequately addressed in the generic EIS and the subsequent action will not result in any significant environmental impacts; and

(4) A supplement to the final generic EIS must be prepared if the subsequent proposed action was not addressed or was not adequately addressed in the generic EIS and the subsequent action may have one or more significant adverse environmental impacts.

(e) In connection with projects that are to be developed in phases or stages, agencies should address not only the site-specific impacts of the individual project under consideration, but also, in more general or conceptual terms, the cumulative impacts on the environment and the existing natural resource base of subsequent phases of a larger project or series of projects that may be developed in the future. In these cases, this part of the generic EIS must discuss the important elements and constraints present in the natural and cultural environment that may bear on the conditions of an agency decision on the immediate project.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 6 § 617.10

Amended New York State Register July 18, 2018/Volume XL, Issue 29, eff.1/1/2019