The Allegany County Board of Legislators on May 28 completed a short environmental assessment under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the proposed modification and continuation of Agricultural District No. 4 and voted to approve the corresponding SEQRA determination.

A county staff member identified as Cara, speaking for the board as lead agency, explained the review was required under Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and the Agriculture and Markets Law (sections 303-a and 303-b) and that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations at 6 NYCRR 617.7 set the criteria the board must consider. Cara told legislators the short environmental assessment form (EAF) asks 11 questions and that the board would record responses to determine whether the proposed modification could have a significant adverse environmental impact.

During the review, the board answered “No” to each of the short EAF questions presented on page 3—covering changes to land use or intensity, impacts to critical environmental areas, traffic or infrastructure effects, energy use, public water or wastewater impacts, historic or aesthetic resources, natural resources, erosion or flooding, and hazards to human health or the environment. After the questions were read, the board approved Resolution Intro. No. 2-22-25, "Approval of state environmental quality review of Agricultural District Number 4 and its proposed modification and continuation." The motion was made by Legislator Curran and seconded by Legislator Hanchett; the measure was approved by voice vote.

The short EAF and the board's SEQRA finding were presented in the context of the district's eight-year review; the staff report and public hearing on the agricultural and farmland protections report had been completed earlier in the review process. The board’s statement concluded the proposed modification and continuation would “not have a significant adverse environmental impact because the proposed modification and continuation does not change the current or projected use of the land,” language reflected in the board’s resolution.

The Agricultural District No. 4 covers portions of the towns named during the presentation: Alfred, Almond, Andover, Bolivar, Genesee, Independence and Willing. The SEQRA determination and approval proceed the board’s formal action to continue and modify the district boundaries under state statute.