Bill > S04513

This bill requires applicants for major projects located in or within one mile of a disadvantaged community to submit an enhanced public participation plan when applying for environmental permits. The plan must comprehensively outline how the project will engage with the local community, including detailed descriptions of the project's potential environmental impacts, a map of the project and community, identification of sensitive locations like schools and hospitals, and a list of community stakeholders. The bill mandates at least three public information meetings throughout the permit review process, with written notices provided in multiple languages and through various communication channels. The enhanced plan must include strategies for distributing project information, holding accessible public meetings, establishing document repositories, and providing quarterly progress reports. The goal is to address historical environmental injustices by ensuring economically distressed and minority communities have meaningful opportunities to understand, provide input on, and potentially mitigate the environmental risks of proposed projects. The Department of Environmental Conservation will review and approve these plans, and cannot issue permits unless the applicant fully complies with the enhanced public participation requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4513