| 
Procedures
Here are answers to a number of questions that MOEC has compiled over
time.
- What is the CEQR review process?
The CEQR process is essentially a two-level process consisting of an
initial assessmetn in which an Environmental Assessment Statement
(EAS) is used to describe a project and to assess potential
impacts. If potential significant adverse impacts are identified at this
level, the lead agency issues a positivie declaration and an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) is completed that analyzes, in detail, those
impacts identified in the EAS. The lead agency provides guidance
through the CEQR process. For more information see the CEQR Process Diagram.
[Back to
FAQ]
- What are the stages of a CEQR Review?
For convenience, CEQR reviews
generally, may be considered to have nine stages. However, these do
not have to be completed sequentially and actually may occur
simultaneously.
- Project Development – project specifics are
being defined, but a CEQR Review is expected to be required.
- EAS Drafting & Review – EAS form (short or
full) is being completed. City agencies convened by lead agency are reviewing
information supplied by applicant. Applicants are expected
to respond to questions and provide information as needed.
- EAS Determination of Significance –
When the EAS is complete to the satisfaction of the lead agency,
it determines whether there is potential for significant adverse impacts
which would require an EIS. If lead agency determines there is no need for an
EIS, a negative declaration is issued and CEQR is complete.
- EIS Scoping – determining the scope of the
EIS
- Public Scoping Meeting -- Public is given
notice and a chance to review and comment on the draft scope of
work. The public comment period extends through at
least the tenth day after the meeting.
- Issuance of Final Scope of Work
- EIS Drafting & Review – The Draft EIS is
being completed based on final scope of work. City agencies convened by lead
agency are reviewing information supplied by applicant.
Applicants are expected to respond to questions and provide information as
needed.
- EIS Public Hearing – Public is invited to review
and comment on the DEIS. The public comment
period extends through at least the tenth day after the
hearing.
- FEIS Completion – The EIS is finalized and
includes responses to substantive public comments made on the DEIS.
- Statement of Findings – Each involved agency
responsible for approving, funding, or undertaking all or part of the action
must issue a statement of findings regarding the impacts of the project on the
environment before that agency’s action commences.
- Post CEQR – CEQR is complete.
If mitigation measures were identified in the EIS, the lead agency and
applicant must ensure that either the mitigation is completed or the need for
mitigation no longer exists.
[Back to
FAQ]
- A project undergoing review may be labeled any of the
following:
- Project Development – a project that is still
being defined, but is expected to under go a CEQR review
- Active – a review that is actively progressing
through the CEQR process
- On Hold – a review that has been suspended and
is NOT being actively worked on by any city agencies
- Complete – a review that has completed the
CEQR process
- Withdrawn – a review that has been withdrawn
by an applicant
- Terminated – a review that has been cancelled
because the applicant has been unresponsive for more than 6 months
- Monitoring – a review that has completed CEQR,
but has outstanding mitigations associated with it that need to be
tracked
[Back to
FAQ]
- What can a private applicant do to facilitate completion of
CEQR review?
The four most important things a private applicant
can do to facilitate completion of its CEQR review are:
- Have a well-defined project – know specifically,
and in as much detail as possible, what the project proposal entails and be
able to concisely describe it.
- Do your homework – research and know as much as
possible about the steps needed to complete your project and the various
processes, procedures, and documents you need to follow.
- Be consistent and accurate – be consistent and
accurate in all of your documentation
- Be responsive – please be as responsive to the
city agencies as possible, even if you simply provide an indication as to when
you anticipate having an answer
Please note: A poorly defined
project, sloppy documentation, and/or slow responsiveness only delays your
project through the process, necessitating, multiple review cycles and
ultimately costing additional time and money.
[Back
to FAQ]
- How will I know who my lead agency is? Do I have a
choice?
Applicants cannot select their lead agency.
The lead agency is determined by the agency
taking the discretionary action. If you need approval or
funding from only one agency, then that agency is automatically the “lead
agency.” When multiple agencies are involved and must
approve, fund, or execute a portion of the project, the agencies determine
among themselves who is going to be the lead agency, using the CEQR and SEQR
rules to guide them. The City's rules specify the lead agency for
certain actions see 62 RCNY Chapter 5.
[Back
to FAQ]
- How will I be kept informed of the progress my review is making
through the process?
Applicants will be assigned a point of contact at the lead agency and
will receive regular status updates.
Note: Applicants are invited to contact MOEC should
additional or more regular information be
required.
[Back to
FAQ]
- Can my review get terminated?
YES, if an applicant fails to
respond to city lead agency requests for up to 6 months and after two
reminders; one at 3 months, and one at 5 months with a 30 day termination
notice, project review will be terminated. Applicants wishing to resume
the project will be required to begin the CEQR process
anew.
[Back
to FAQ]
- What if I do not want to continue with my project?
If you no longer wish to continue a project for
whatever reason, please contact the lead agency and inform it of your decision
to withdraw your project. Withdrawals
are considered final and should you choose to resume the project review,
applicants will be required to begin anew.
Note: If you are unsure of your
decision to withdraw, please contact your lead agency to discuss putting your
project on hold so that city agency resources maybe reallocated to other
reviews.
[Back
to FAQ]
- What if I experience non-CEQR related delays in my
project?
If you are experiencing non-CEQR related delays (e.g.
funding issues, etc.), you should contact your lead agency to discuss the
severity of the delays and their respective effects on your review going
through the CEQR process. If appropriate it may make sense
to place your project on hold until you can resolve these non-CEQR related
delays. This allows city agency resources to be reallocated
to other reviews in the queue until your review is ready to
resume.
Note: A project may remain on hold for only up
to one year before a decision to resume or withdraw your project is
required.
[Back
to FAQ]
- Why do I keep getting my materials returned to me with
comments?
There could be a number of reasons regarding why
submissions are returned with comments. among
the most common is that the materials are not of sufficient detail and/or
quality to allow the agencies to make their determinations.
Additionally, typically in the cases of EISs the assumptions, methodologies,
frameworks, data, and/or analysis of the impacts and/or various build
scenarios may not have been adequately performed and/or documented in
accordance with the guidance outlined in the CEQR Technical
Manual. Please contact your lead agency to clarify the
specific issues/comments so that you may understand and adequately address
them.
[Back
to FAQ]
Please contact
MOEC if you have any questions regarding any of the FAQs above or your
question(s) was not covered. |
