A state appellate court has upheld a lower court decision invalidating a 2016 local law aimed at shutting down the Seneca Meadows landfill, finding the Town of Seneca Falls failed to meet key environmental review requirements.
In a ruling issued by the Appellate Division, Fourth Department (read below), the court affirmed that the town board did not comply with its substantive obligations under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, known as SEQRA.
The decision stems from a legal challenge brought by Seneca Meadows, Inc., which operates the landfill. The company argued the town did not properly evaluate environmental impacts before adopting a 2016 local law that would have prohibited landfill operations after existing permits expire. The 2016 local law, known as Local Law No. 3, banned solid waste disposal facilities in the town and allowed Seneca Meadows to continue operating until its state permit expired or until December 31, 2025. The landfill continues to operate today.
The appellate court agreed, concluding the town board failed to adequately identify environmental concerns, take what is known as a “hard look” at those issues, and provide a reasoned explanation for its determination that the law would not have significant environmental impacts.
Because of that finding, the court said it did not need to consider additional arguments that the town may have also committed procedural violations under SEQRA.
The ruling follows a prior decision by the New York Court of Appeals, which determined that Seneca Meadows had legal standing to challenge the law and sent the case back to the appellate court to review the merits.
At issue was whether the town properly considered potential environmental consequences of closing the landfill, including impacts tied to transporting waste to other locations. The court found the board’s review fell short of the standards required under state law.
As a result, the lower court’s judgment declaring the local law invalid remains in place.
