Planner briefs board on SEQR: long-form EAF, EIS scoping and a possible year-plus review timeline for major projects

The planner explained how SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) classifications affect review intensity and timeline. For Type 2 actions the process is limited; a Type 1 determination requires the applicant to submit a long-form Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) and could lead to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). "With a type 1, the applicant has to submit a long form EAF, which is, like, 10 or 11 pages," the planner said; if a positive declaration follows, the board would undertake scoping and the applicant would prepare mitigation plans and technical studies for review by engineers and other agencies.

Board members asked whether state and federal agencies (DOT, county health department, DEC, EPA) could be pulled into the process; the planner said outside approvals may be required depending on project scope (for example, traffic signals or health approvals). The planner and chair estimated that, depending on the declaration and the scope of required studies, a full review could take many months and that 6—12 months might be a lower-bound estimate for complex projects, with 12 months or more not uncommon.