Direct answer
What does negative declaration mean?
A negative declaration is a lead agency's determination under SEQRA that an action will not have a significant adverse environmental impact.
Exam cue: A negative declaration ends the EIS requirement for that review, subject to the governing rules.
What does it look like in a question?
Example
After reviewing the EAF and record, the agency finds no potentially significant adverse impact.
Common exam trap
What should you not confuse it with?
Negative declaration does not mean the project has no environmental effect at all.
Related construction and environment terms
AsbestosAsbestos is a group of mineral fibers formerly used in many building materials and associated with health risks when fibers become airborne and are inhaled.Environmental assessment formAn environmental assessment form (EAF) is a New York SEQRA form used by an agency to help evaluate the environmental significance of a proposed action.Environmental impact statementAn environmental impact statement (EIS) is a detailed document examining potentially significant environmental impacts, mitigation and reasonable alternatives under SEQRA.FoundationA foundation is the part of a structure that transfers building loads to the soil or supporting material below.Lead-based paintLead-based paint is paint containing lead that can create serious health hazards, especially for children, when it deteriorates or creates contaminated dust.Load-bearing wallA load-bearing wall is a wall that carries structural load from above in addition to its own weight.
Sources used2 references with section locators
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