Land Use & Zoning

In New York, the environmental review process for major land use actions is governed by:

AThe National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

BThe State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)✓ Correct

CThe New York Zoning Enabling Act

DThe NY DEC Brownfield Cleanup Program

Explanation

SEQRA (the State Environmental Quality Review Act, Environmental Conservation Law Article 8) requires that state and local government agencies consider the environmental impacts of discretionary actions (such as zoning changes, permits, and approvals) before making decisions. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) may be required.

People Also Study

Key Terms to Know

Zoning

Local government regulations that control land use by dividing areas into zones specifying permitted uses, building sizes, and densities.

Variance

Official permission to use land in a way that does not conform to the applicable zoning ordinance, granted by a zoning board when strict enforcement would cause undue hardship.

Transfer Tax

A tax imposed by state or local governments when real property ownership is transferred, typically based on the sale price.

Eminent Domain

The power of government to take private property for public use, with the requirement to pay the owner just compensation.