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The SEQRA Process:

• First an application is filed with the town. At this point REPCAL has filed their application and Riverhead Resorts has not.

• The municipality then determines whether the project is subject to SEQRA. Both projects are.

• It is then determined if the action proposed might have a significant impact on the environment: if so it is considered a Type I action. REPCAL was deemed a Type I action, and it is likely that Riverhead Resorts will be considered Type I as well.


• Next a full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) is developed for Type I actions.  The REPCAL EAF is available to the public at Riverhead Town Hall. Riverhead Resort is not yet at this stage in the review process.

• For Type I actions the EAF and application is then circulated to all involved agencies, and they are given 30 days to request lead agency status. The Town of Riverhead has accepted lead agency status for the REPCAL project. Riverhead Resort is not yet at this stage in the review process.

• The lead agency then reviews available information and determines if the project may have a significant impact on the environment: if so, it is given a positive declaration. REPCAL was given a positive declaration. Riverhead Resort is not yet at this stage in the review process.
  

• Next the scoping process may be initiated, meaning the developer creating a draft scope (list of things that will be considered in the impact statement), a public hearing is often held to discuss the draft scope, then the lead agency incorporates comments and adopts a final scope. REPCAL has gone through the scoping process already. Riverhead Resort is not yet at this stage in the review process.
  

• Next the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is created, usually by the applicant. It should contain a thorough look at all possible adverse impacts and their mitigation possibilities as well as a fair review of alternatives that would reduce negative impacts. Neither project is at this stage yet.

• After DEIS completion a public hearing is held to find out what the public thinks about the DEIS and the project's potential impacts. Neither project is at this stage yet.

• The Final EIS is then prepared taking into account all comments heard from the involved agencies and the public. Neither project is at this stage yet.

• Finally all involved agencies must submit a findings statement on the FEIS, a positive findings statement asserts that the action is approvable and that the action chosen avoids or minimizes environmental impacts, a negative findings statement asserts that the project is not approvable and outlines the reasons for the denial. Neither project is at this stage yet.

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