Rhinebeck board issues SEQRA negative declaration for bond project

The Rhinebeck Union Free School District lead agency concluded that the proposed bond project “will not have any significant adverse impacts upon upon the environment,” issuing a SEQRA negative declaration at the board meeting.

The presenter who reviewed the full Part 3 environmental assessment said the analysis considered geotechnical reports, consultant input and public comments and found impacts to land, water, air, plants and community character to be either no impact or small and mitigable. He noted that portions of the project lie adjacent to a NYSDEC‑regulated freshwater wetland and that appropriate erosion controls and a site stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) will be used to minimize effects.

The assessment lists measures the district will use during construction: compliance with the New York State standards for erosion and sediment control, preparation and implementation of a SWPPP, weekly inspections by a New York State‑approved inspector during construction and post‑construction stormwater management devices designed to state standards. The presenter also explained that some site grading and replacement of existing features would occur but that major earthwork is not anticipated.

The negative declaration follows the lead agency’s finding that, with mitigation and adherence to applicable regulations, no environmental impact statement is required. The board placed adoption of the negative declaration on the consent agenda and approved it as part of that motion.