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Trainer gives planning board a SECRA refresher
Summary
A presenter led a training for planning board members on the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SECRA), explaining its scope, the balance of environmental, social and economic factors, and how courts review local determinations.
The presenter opened a training session for planning board members on the State Environmental Quality Review Act, saying the session would serve as a refresher for seasoned members and a primer for newer ones. "We've talked previously about what SECRA is, the State Environmental Quality Review Act, that it requires all, non just, discretionary decisions, by state and local agencies have to go through this environmental review process before you can make a decision," the presenter said.
The presenter explained that ministerial actions such as building permits are not subject to SECRA while discretionary actions (site plans, subdivisions, special permits) require review. They stressed that SECRA is not intended to make environmental factors the sole consideration and that social and economic issues—such as fiscal impacts and the need for affordable housing—must also be balanced in the review.
