“Environmental Law: Developments in the Law of SEQRA” Published in the Syracuse Law Review

SPR attorneys Mark Chertok, Claire McNulty, and Michael Hannaman recently published their article “Environmental Law: Developments in the Law of SEQRA” in Volume 76 of the Syracuse Law Review. SPR attorneys have authored this yearly since 2009.

The Article discusses notable developments in the law relating to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the period of 2024–2025. During this period, lower and intermediate courts issued decisions involving various legal issues relevant to the SEQRA practitioner—including standing and ripeness; procedural issues; the adequacy of agencies’ determinations of significance; and the sufficiency of an agency’s Environmental Impact Statement. The Court of Appeals issued one decision in this period, upholding the SEQRA process for the proposed development of the Elizabeth Street Garden in New York City. It also bears noting that, during this period, significant changes occurred in the law of SEQRA’s parent federal statute, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Part I of the Article provides a brief overview of SEQRA’s statutory and regulatory requirements. Part II discusses legislative developments. Part III reviews the most noteworthy SEQRA decisions issued during the 2024-2025 period. Part IV discusses recent changes to the scope of environmental review of federal actions under NEPA.

You can access the article here.