Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs) are areas in the state which have been designated by a local or state agency to recognize a specific geographical area with one or more of the following characteristics:

    A feature that is a benefit or threat to human health;
    An exceptional or unique natural setting;
    An exceptional or unique social, historic, archaeological, recreational, or educational value; or
    An inherent ecological, geological, or hydrological sensitivity to change that maybe adversely affected by any physical disturbance.

A CEA designation serves to alert project sponsors to the agency's concern for the resources or dangers contained within the CEA. Once a CEA has been designated, potential impacts on the characteristics of that CEA become relevant areas of concern that warrant specific, articulated consideration in determining the significance of any Type I or Unlisted actions that may affect the CEA. https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6184.html