Goshen board starts SEQR, adopts negative declaration and sets hearing on biosolids land-application ban

The Town of Goshen Town Board on Oct. 9 declared itself lead agency for State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR), adopted a negative declaration and set a public hearing for Nov. 13 on an introductory local law that would prohibit land application of biosolids (sewage sludge) within the town.

Town counsel explained the proposal as a town‑wide legislative action to “prohibit the land application of biosolids or sewage sludge within the town of Goshen” with the stated purpose of protecting groundwater, surface water, farmland and public health. Because the board itself is proposing the local law, the project is not site specific and the board used the short environmental assessment form (SEAF) process for an unlisted action.

Town staff walked the board through the short-form questions in the SEAF. Most board members and counsel answered the SEAF questions as "no" or "small impact" given the town‑wide legislative nature of the measure. Counsel advised that the town should follow the standard sequence: complete the SEAF (parts 1 and 2), declare lead agency, adopt a negative declaration if no significant adverse impacts are found, and then schedule the local-law public hearing.

The board approved a resolution that declares the board lead agency, adopts a negative declaration pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617 (SEQR) and schedules a public hearing on introductory local law No. 8, 2025, entitled "Biosolid Land Application Prohibition Law of the Town of Goshen," for Nov. 13. The resolution directs the town clerk to file and circulate the negative declaration and retain a copy in official records.

Next steps: The board will hold the public hearing Nov. 13 and accept public comment. If the board later adopts the local law it would be subject to the usual adoption procedures and filings required by General Municipal Law and SEQR.