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Trainer explains lead agency and why coordinated SECRA review matters
Summary
Instructor told the planning board how a lead agency is chosen for coordinated SECRA review, the 30-day response window for involved agencies, and cautioned against uncoordinated segmentation that can understate cumulative impacts.
The presenter described how the planning board typically becomes lead agency in coordinated SECRA reviews and explained involved agencies are those with approval authority over any part of the project (for example, a zoning board or NYSDOT). "Any kind of approval authority over the project," the presenter said, "...so 1 of those agencies, if you're having a coordinated review where 1 agency does the environmental review, somebody's gotta step up and be the lead and actually do the environmental review."
The presenter said the board circulates a notice of intent to declare lead agency and allows 30 days for other agencies to respond; if there is no response or agreement, the applicant board becomes lead. The presenter also warned that uncoordinated reviews—where agencies separately review only their jurisdictional piece—risks 'segmenting' the project and missing significant cumulative impacts.
