The Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was established in 1970 by Article I of the Suffolk County Charter, known as the Environmental Bill of Rights. In 1972 the County established the Suffolk County Historic Trust and designated the CEQ members as trustees of the Historic Trust. Under its mandated Charter responsibilities, the CEQ is advisory to both the County Executive and the County Legislature.
The primary responsibility of the Council on Environmental Quality is to provide advice and assistance to any department, board, commission or agency of Suffolk County government regarding the implementation of and compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). In addition, the Council may make recommendations to the County Legislature and County Executive as to what County-owned properties should be dedicated to the County nature preserve or historic trust and what properties not owned by the County should be acquired for purposes of dedication. The Council also serves an important role examining developments in the County that are likely to have an impact on the quality of the environment.
The Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality consists of 10 voting members. The current members of the Council on Environmental Quality are:
- Tom Gulbransen, Chair
- Michael Kaufman, Vice-Chair
- Frank DeRubies
- Anthony Graves
- Hon. Anthony A. Piccirillo
- Mary Ann Spencer
- Herbert Strobel
- Lawrence Costantino
CEQ meetings are held on the Second Wednesday of every month at 9:30 via Team Meetings, (please see meeting notice) unless otherwise noted.