Advocacy

Working with fellow environmental groups, civic organizations, and concerned citizens, we push local governments to rethink development proposals, overhaul zoning codes, and adopt responsible land-use policies. We think out of the box to find long-term funding solutions for the East End’s most daunting environmental problems and we engage people to speak up and take action in their community. Your participation in your local community is essential if you want to help protect the nature of the place you love.

Get to Know SEQRA

The State Environmental Quality Review Act
You can help shape your community and hold local officials accountable by knowing about SEQRA, the State Environmental Quality Review Act. It’s a New York State law that requires local governments to consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts of proposed development projects, new laws and regulations, and land-use policies or plans.

The SEQRA process calls for a coordinated, transparent, and comprehensive review of proposals in your town. It is one of the most important tools for ensuring full consideration of critical environmental issues with input from the public. Your participation as a resident and/or taxpayer is paramount for the law to work effectively!

Speak Up - Attend Hearings

There are four main boards that make impactful decisions on the local level.

  • Town Boards are comprised of elected officials who are responsible for legislative decisions and determining annual budgets for your town.

  • Planning Boards are charged with providing for and guiding the orderly development and growth of your town. They make important decisions on proposals that, if not kept in check, can turn a picturesque town into suburban sprawl! Members may be elected or appointed, depending on the town.

  • Zoning Boards of Appeal (ZBA) are responsible for interpreting a town’s zoning code. Generally, a ZBA can grant variances to property owners if they can demonstrate hardships or practical difficulties that they incur because of strict application of zoning laws. Members may be elected or appointed, depending on the town.

  • School Boards are comprised of elected officials who set spending priorities and annual budgets, which can impact the availability of certain classes and extracurricular activities, such as ecology and environmental studies.

Every town should create and adopt a comprehensive plan that includes input from the public. If executed properly, the comprehensive plan should guide every land-use decision made by town agencies.

Where to find meeting dates, agendas, and make FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) requests.

Contact information for elected officials
as April 2024

Join Your Civic Association

If you want to have a say in what happens in your community and you’re wondering what development projects are being proposed in your neighborhood, we encourage you to join your local civic group. There is power in numbers, and a collective voice that represents your community can be extremely effective. The Group works closely with civic organizations on evaluating proposed developments, planning studies, and laws, and educates the public on how they can affect community members and the environment.

Here’s a list of civic associations the Group has worked with on the East End. Get involved!

Voting Matters

Local government often has more real-world impact on your everyday life than state and federal government. You have a say in how your town approaches and invests in environmental issues. By voting for local candidates and policies that align with your beliefs, you can help shape the future you envision for your community. Register to vote here.