A bill that will facilitate public access to Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) will take effect on February 16, 2006.

Bill No. S.5786 was introduced (at the request of the Attorney General) by State Senator Marcellino, chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee. The bill was signed by Governor Pataki on 8/30/05.
The bill requires municipalities to post on a publicly-available Internet website all draft and final EISs, including all public comments made on the draft EIS, unless impracticable.

At present, in many cases, the EIS is only available at the local Town office that normally closes at 4:30PM. This means that it is unavailable for viewing by the working public. In some cases, the EIS may be available at the local library which means the public can view it at the weekends.

This new law will undoubtedly help those of us who have the computer capability. That, in itself, is a step forward and, hopefully, will lead to increased participation at public hearings and a better informed public.
You can view the bill through http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/senators?OpenForm
and clicking on Marcellino/legislation.