Public Works Committee declares lead agency for Tonakota Park roundabout review

The Public Works Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 2, declared itself lead agency for the state environmental review of a state- and federally funded roundabout planned at the intersection of Kins Road and Plank Road in Tonakota Park.

The declaration starts the State Environmental Quality Review Act process and directs staff to notify other potentially interested agencies so they may assert jurisdiction if they wish. A staff member told the committee that the declaration does not include any budget request.

Committee members were brief. A staff member described the item as "a state and federally funded project in Tonakota Park, for a roundabout at the intersection of Kins Road and Plank Road." The same staff member said the purpose of the agenda item was "for the board to declare lead agency, as it relates to the SEQR review, through New York State," and that declaring lead agency "initiates the review" and triggers notification to interested parties. The staff member added, "I suspect they won't, but it's a process we have to follow."

A committee member moved to approve the declaration and the motion passed after members voted "aye." The staff member said there is "no budget in that." The committee did not specify a timeline for the environmental review or identify any other agencies that had asserted interest during the meeting.

The action places responsibility with the committee and staff to complete the lead-agency duties under state environmental review rules and to circulate the project notice. The transcript does not record any further debate, conditions, or a schedule for the SEQR steps.