Critical Environmental Areas

One way that local agencies can protect special natural areas in their communities is to designate specific geographic areas within their boundaries as Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs). CEAs are significant designations under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR), which requires local and state agencies to examine a proposal's environmental impacts and methods of mitigation prior to committing to, funding, or approving an "action" (be it a project, plan or policy).

When a CEA is designated, a written justification supporting the exceptional or unique environmental characteristics of the area, along with the area's mapped boundary, must be filed with various State and local agencies. Once an area is designated as a CEA, proposals to alter that area must specifically address any potential impairments of the environmental characteristics of the CEA.