The Planning Department provides various advisory services to local governing, planning, and zoning appeals boards on request. The Department is often asked to assist in the development, modification, or interpretation of local zoning laws or to provide technical guidance concerning requirements of New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) (PDF). Periodically the Department directly assists local government officials in the development of Federal or State grant proposals for needed community facilities. The Department annually assists each of Chemung County's municipal governments in renewing their certification in the Community Rating System (CRS) program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).