New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 48-0103. Definitions

1. “Advisory group” means the permanent environmental justice advisory group established by section 48-0105 of this article.

2. “Agency” means any state department, agency, board, bureau, commission, division, office, council, or any public authority or public benefit corporation.

3. “Environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, religion, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of laws, regulations and policies affecting the quality of the environment.

4. “Fair treatment” means that no group of people, including a racial, ethnic or socioeconomic group, should be disproportionately exposed to pollution or bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from execution of federal, state and local programs and policies, and further means that no such group of people should suffer from inequitable allocation of public resources or financial assistance for environmental protection and stewardship, including environmental remediation, pollution prevention, open space acquisition and other protection and stewardship activities.

5. “Meaningful involvement” means the provision of opportunities for citizen participation in decision making that are as reflective of the diversity of interests and perspective found within the affected community as possible, including those of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups;  that are provided as early as possible in the decision making process;  that provide full, timely and accessible disclosure of public records and sharing of information by the government agency or agencies involved, including the provision of technical data and the assumptions upon which any analyses are based;  and that allow all people, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin or income, the opportunity to have their views heard and considered, including opportunities for two-way dialogue.