There are many different kinds of coastal habitats in New York State, including marshes, wetlands, mud and sandflats, beaches, rocky shores, riverine wetlands and riparian corridors, stream, bay and harbor bottoms, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, dunes, old fields, grasslands and woodlands and forests. Coastal habitats provide living and feeding areas for animals, and are also economically important.

Some of these areas may have been designated as Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats (SCFWH). To designate a SCFWH, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) evaluates the significance of coastal fish and wildlife habitat areas, and following a recommendation from the DEC, the Department of State designates and maps specific areas.

A project may be located in or near a SCFWH. An applicant may be required to address the impacts of a project on the habitat through the consistency review process.

Once a determination is made that a proposed action is subject to consistency review, Policy 7 of the State's coastal policies applies. This policy is aimed at the protection of fish and wildlife resources of statewide significance. The specific policy statement is: "Significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats will be protected, preserved, and, where practical, restored so as to maintain their viability as habitats." The applicability of this policy does not depend on the specific location of the habitat, but on the determination that the proposed action is subject to consistency review.

Designated Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats (SCFWH) are delineated on the coastal area map, and a description of each habitat, its fish and wildlife resources, and potential impacts is included in the habitat narrative.

The habitat narrative constitutes a record of the basis for the significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat's designation and provides specific information regarding the fish and wildlife resources that depend on this area. General information is also provided to assist in evaluating impacts of proposed activities on characteristics of the habitat which are essential to the habitat's values. This information is used in conjunction with the habitat impairment test found in the impact assessment section to determine whether the proposed activities are consistent with the significant habitats policy.