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ARTICLE · 24 FEBRUARY 2025

New York Proposes Regulatory Amendments To Implement Environmental Justice Law

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) recently released draft amendments to State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)...

United StatesEnvironment
Michael G. Murphy
Michael G. Murphy
Katrina M. Krebs
Katrina M. Krebs
Joseph R. Ruggiero
Joseph R. Ruggiero

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) recently released draft amendments to State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations to implement New York's "Environmental Justice Siting Law," also known as the "Cumulative Impacts Law." The Environmental Justice Siting Law, which went into effect on December 30, 2024, establishes rigorous requirements for evaluating the impacts of proposed projects on disadvantaged communities. The proposed regulations are part of a series of actions NYSDEC has taken to address environmental justice considerations.

While the regulations are not yet effective, NYSDEC has stated that agencies may implement the Environmental Justice Siting Law using the draft amendments in the interim. However, for projects where a negative declaration was issued or a draft EIS accepted before December 30, 2024, agencies do not need to reevaluate impacts on disadvantaged communities—although they are directed to

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