Section 8-0113. Rules and regulations

1.   After  consultation  with  the  other  agencies  subject  to  the
  provisions of this article, including state agencies and representatives
  of local governments and after conducting public hearings and review  of
  any  other  comments  submitted,  the commissioner shall adopt rules and
  regulations implementing the  provisions  of  this  article  within  one
  hundred and twenty days after the effective date of this section.
    2.  The rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner specifically
  shall include:
    (a) Definition of terms used in this article;
    (b) Criteria for determining whether or not a proposed action may have
  a significant effect on the environment, taking into account social  and
  economic  factors to be considered in determining the significance of an
  environmental effect;
    (c) Identification on the basis of such criteria of:
    (i)  Actions  or  classes  of  actions  that  are  likely  to  require
  preparation of environmental impact statements;
    (ii)  Actions  or classes of actions which have been determined not to
  have a significant effect on the environment and which  do  not  require
  environmental  impact  statements  under  this  article. In adopting the
  rules and regulations, the commissioner shall make a finding  that  each
  action or class of actions identified does not have a significant effect
  on the environment;
    (d)   Typical   associated  environmental  effects,  and  methods  for
  assessing such effects, of actions determined to be  likely  to  require
  preparation of environmental impact statements;
    (e)  Categorization  of  actions  which  are  or  may  be primarily of
  statewide, regional, or local concern,  with  provisions  for  technical
  assistance  including  the preparation or review of environmental impact
  statements, if requested, in connection with environmental impact review
  by local agencies.
    (f) Provision for the filing and circulation  of  draft  environmental
  impact  statements  pursuant  to subdivision four of section 8-0109, and
  environmental impact statements pursuant to subdivision six  of  section
  8-0109,  including,  in  addition  to  any  other circulation and public
  availability requirements, making  such  statements  available  free  of
  charge  to  the public and government agencies on the publicly-available
  Internet website,  unless  impracticable.  Printed  filings  and  public
  notices  shall clearly indicate the address of the website at which such
  filing is posted;
    (g) Scope, content, filing and availability of findings required to be
  made pursuant to subdivision eight of section 8-0109;
    (h)  Form  and  content  of  and  level  of  detail  required  for  an
  environmental impact statement; and
    (i)  Procedures  for  obtaining comments on draft environmental impact
  statements,  holding  hearings,  providing  public  notice   of   agency
  decisions   with   respect  to  preparation  of  a  draft  environmental
  statement; and for such  other  matters  as  may  be  needed  to  assure
  effective  participation  by  the  public  and efficient and expeditious
  administration of the article.
    (j) Procedure for providing applicants with estimates, when requested,
  of the costs expected to be charged them pursuant to  subdivision  seven
  of section 8-0109 of this article.
    (k)  Appeals procedure for the settlement of disputed costs charged by
  state agencies to applicants pursuant to subdivision  seven  of  section
  8-0109  of  this  article.  Such appeal procedure shall not interfere or
  cause delay  in  the  determination  of  environmental  significance  or
  prohibit an action from being undertaken.

    (l)  A  model  assessment form to be used during the initial review to
  assist an agency in its responsibilities under this article.
    3. Within the time periods specified in section 8-0117 of this article
  the  agencies subject to this article shall, after public hearing, adopt
  and publish such additional procedures  as  may  be  necessary  for  the
  implementation  by  them  of  this article consistent with the rules and
  regulations adopted by the commissioner.
    (a) Existing agency environmental procedures may  be  incorporated  in
  and  integrated  with  the  procedures  adopted  under this article, and
  variance in form alone  shall  constitute  no  objection  thereto.  Such
  individual   agency   procedures   shall   be   no  less  protective  of
  environmental values, public  participation,  and  agency  and  judicial
  review than the procedures herein mandated.
    (b)  Such  agency  procedures  shall  provide  for interagency working
  relationships in cases where actions typically  involve  more  than  one
  agency,  liaison  with  the  public, and such other procedures as may be
  required to effect the efficient and expeditious administration of  this
  article.
    4. Coordination with agricultural districts program. The commissioner,
  in  consultation with the commissioner of agriculture and markets, shall
  amend the regulations promulgated pursuant to  the  provisions  of  this
  section   as   necessary   and   appropriate   to  assure  the  adequate
  consideration of impacts of public acquisitions, or the  advancement  of
  public  monies  for  non-farm  development on lands used in agricultural
  production  and  unique  and  irreplaceable  agricultural  lands  within
  agricultural  districts in accordance with the provisions of subdivision
  four of section three hundred five of the agriculture and markets law.