The intended purpose of SEQRA is stated in Section 617.1 of the regulations:

In adopting SEQR, it was the Legislature's intention that all agencies conduct their affairs with an awareness that they are stewards of the air, water, land, and living resources, and that they have an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations.

The basic purpose of SEQR is to incorporate the consideration of environmental factors into the existing planning, review and decision-making processes of state, regional and local government agencies at the earliest possible time. To accomplish this goal, SEQR requires that all agencies determine whether the actions they directly undertake, fund or approve may have a significant impact on the environment, and, if it is determined that the action may have a significant adverse impact, prepare or request an environmental impact statement.

SEQRA also provides the invaluable opportunity for public participation, review and comment throughout the SEQRA process. We encourage you to fully participate in the review of all actions that impact your lives and communities.

To understand SEQRA, check out DEC's SEQRA Page, which contains a number of SEQRA guides, forms, and flow charts. DEC's SEQRA regulations can be found here. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection also has a SEQRA page located here.

For an in depth explanation of the SEQRA regulations, stages of the SEQRA process, and information on how the public can participate in the environmental review and any proposed action, see the SEQRA Handbook. For a briefer visual explanation see the SEQRA Cookbook. Links to both are provided under Related Info.