Submit Environmental Review Comments - The Bronx Bylaws

This guide explains how residents, community groups, businesses, and stakeholders in The Bronx, New York can submit comments on City environmental reviews under the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) process. It covers where to find notices, how to read a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), typical deadlines and hearing procedures, and who within city government receives and records comments. Use the official project notice to confirm exact dates and submission addresses; agencies listed below publish notices and guidance on CEQR procedures Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination - CEQR^[1] and on project pages maintained by the Department of City Planning NYC Department of City Planning - CEQR^[2].

Overview of the CEQR public comment process

CEQR is the city process used to identify potential environmental impacts of proposals requiring city approvals. For many projects a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) or an Environmental Assessment may be published; DEIS releases include a public comment period and may trigger a hearing. The Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination posts public notices and project documents; the notice lists how to submit written comments, the hearing schedule (if any), and the end date of the comment period OEC public notices^[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

The CEQR public comment process itself does not impose fines for filing comments; it is the mechanism for public participation rather than a regulatory enforcement regime. Specific enforcement, fines, or sanctions for failing to comply with environmental or permit conditions are handled by the enforcing agency for the underlying permit (for example, the Department of Environmental Protection or other agencies); the public CEQR pages do not list monetary fines tied to the act of commenting or not commenting and do not provide penalty schedules for CEQR participation on the cited pages NYC Department of Environmental Protection^[3].

• Enforcer: agencies with permitting authority (DEP, DCP, DOB) enforce compliance with permit conditions; CEQR coordinates review and disclosure.
• Deadlines: the official public notice for each project lists the comment period and hearing dates; durations vary by project and are posted on the project notice.
• Appeals and reviews: the CEQR process provides administrative records that inform agency decisions; specific appeal routes depend on the underlying permit or land-use action and are listed with that agency.
• Fines and fees: not specified on the cited CEQR and DEP pages for the comment process; enforcement fines for permit violations are described on the enforcing agency pages when applicable.

Applications & Forms

There is no single universal form to submit a CEQR comment. The project public notice will specify accepted submission methods (email, postal mail, or online portal) and any hearing signup procedures. For guidance consult the project's notice on the OEC public notices page and the lead agency instructions OEC public notices^[1].

Preparing an effective comment

Good comments are concise, focused on measurable impacts (air, noise, traffic, green space, water), reference specific DEIS sections or figures when possible, and propose mitigation or alternatives. Agencies must respond in the Final EIS to substantive comments and note which comments gave rise to changes.

• Reference: cite page, figure, or appendix in the DEIS to make a comment actionable.
• Evidence: attach photos, measurements, or local data where available.
• Propose: suggest feasible mitigation or alternatives rather than only objections.

How-To

1. Locate the project notice and DEIS or Environmental Assessment on the OEC public notices or the lead agency project page.
2. Note the comment deadline and any hearing date on the notice.
3. Draft a written comment that cites the DEIS section(s) and explains the impact you observe or expect.
4. Submit the comment by the method specified in the notice (email, mail, or online) and request confirmation of receipt.
5. If a hearing is scheduled, register per the notice and present your key points clearly and briefly.
6. Follow up after the comment period to request the agency's response or to check the Final EIS publication.

FAQ

Who can submit comments on a CEQR review?

Any member of the public, community group, business, or agency may submit written comments and attend public hearings when scheduled.

How long is the public comment period?

The public notice for each project lists the exact comment period and any hearing dates; durations vary by project and are posted on the notice.

Will my comment change a project?

Agencies must respond to substantive comments in the Final EIS; comments that identify unaddressed impacts or propose feasible mitigation can influence decision-making.

Key Takeaways

• Check the official project notice for exact deadlines and submission methods.
• Make comments specific: cite DEIS sections, attach evidence, and propose mitigation.
• Keep records and request confirmation of receipt.

Help and Support / Resources

• Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination - Public Notices
• NYC Department of City Planning - CEQR
• NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• NYC 311 - Report and Information Portal

1. [1] Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination - CEQR overview and guidance
2. [2] NYC Department of City Planning - CEQR information
3. [3] NYC Department of Environmental Protection - agency and enforcement pages