May 3, 2022
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Intersection Improvements on Route 10 & 322, Removal of Bridge 00518 and Replacement of Bridges 00646 & 05753, Southington and Cheshire.
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Revised Scope - Replacement of Bridge No. 00162 (I-95 over Metro North Railroad) and Bridge No. 00161 (I-95 over First Avenue), West Haven.
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
- Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Eagleville Green, Mansfield.
- Post-Scoping Notice for 833 Deming Road Multifamily Housing, Berlin.
- Post-Scoping Notice for Avery Park Revitalization Initiative – Woodland Spring Phase II, Stafford Springs.
Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)
- Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Mirror Lake Improvements at the University of Connecticut, Mansfield.
No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on May 17, 2022.
Subscribe to e-alerts to receive an e-mail when the Environmental Monitor is published.
Inquiries and requests to view or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency.
Scoping Notice
"Scoping" is for projects in the earliest stages of planning. At the scoping stage, detailed information on a project's design, alternatives, and environmental impacts does not yet exist. Sponsoring agencies are asking for comments from other agencies and from the public as to the scope of alternatives and environmental impacts that should be considered for further study. Send your comments to the contact person listed for the project by the date indicated. Read More
1. Notice of Scoping for Intersection Improvements on Route 10 & 322, Removal of Bridge 00518 and Replacement of Bridges 00646 & 05753
Address of possible location: Route 10 and Route 322
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Southington and Cheshire
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to remove or replace structurally deficient and/or functionally obsolete bridges and improve intersection geometry. This project involves the removal of Bridge No. 00518, which carries Route 10 over Route 322, and the construction of a new at-grade intersection between those two roadways. Approximately 1,525 feet of Route 10 will be reconstructed by this project, and the Route 10 profile will be lowered to meet Route 322 at-grade. The proposed Route 10 horizontal alignment follows the existing horizontal alignment. The Route 10 profile will be lowered to meet Route 322 at-grade. Bridge No. 00646 (Route 10 over the Ten Mile River) is a concrete arch culvert that was constructed in 1936. As a result of lowering the Route 10 profile, the fill over this structure will be reduced from 9 feet to 2 feet. Due to the age of this structure and the risk of damaging it during construction, it was determined that Bridge No. 00646 would need to be replaced. Approximately 950 feet of Route 322 will be reconstructed by this project. The proposed Route 322 horizontal alignment follows the existing horizontal alignment. The profile is proposed to be raised approximately 3 feet to be above the 100-year flood plain. Bridge No. 05753 (Route 322 over Ten Mile River) is being replaced, as it has been determined to be structurally deficient. Approximately 550 feet of Old Turnpike Road will be reconstructed by this project. The proposed horizontal alignment of Old Turnpike Road will be modified to provide an improved geometry at the Route 10/Old Turnpike Road intersection. The proposed profile closely follows the existing profile. New traffic signals are proposed at the Route 10/Route 322, the Route 322/ Old Turnpike Road and the Route 10/Old Turnpike Road intersections. Sidewalks are proposed throughout the project.
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday June 3, 2022.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: Monday May 16, 2022
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Virtual Meeting
NOTES: The meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube Live. A Question and Answer session will immediately follow the presentation. The presentation will be recorded. Instructions on how to access the meeting and on how to provide comments or ask questions can be found at the project website prior to the meeting: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTSouthington131-190.
Persons with limited internet access may request that project information be mailed to them by contacting Jeffrey Pfaffinger, P.E., Project Manager, by email at jeffrey.pfaffinger@ct.gov or by phone at (860) 594-2767. Allow one week for processing and delivery.
Persons with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (888) 566-5916 and entering the Participant Code when prompted: 9977843. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Language Assistance Call Line, (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
The MS Teams Live Event offers closed-captioning for the hearing impaired and non-English translation options. A recording of the formal presentation will be posted to YouTube following the event and closed-captioning (including non-English translation options) will be available at that time. The recording will also be available in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings here: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/general/CTDOT-VPIM-Library.
Comments, questions about the public meeting, or questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):
Name: Mr. Jeffrey Pfaffinger, P.E., Project Manager
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOTProject131-190@ct.gov
Phone: In addition to written comments, individuals may also leave a voicemail question or comment during the meeting or during the comment period that follows by calling (860) 944-1111. Please reference Project 131-190 in your voicemail.
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
2. Notice of Scoping for Revised Scope - Replacement of Bridge No. 00162 (I-95 over Metro North Railroad) and Bridge No. 00161 (I-95 over First Avenue)
Municipality where proposed action might be located: West Haven
Project Description: This project was originally scoped in the Environmental Monitor on September 21, 2021 and a public scoping meeting was held on October 14, 2021. The original scope included replacing and widening Bridge No. 00162 to accommodate an additional southbound vehicular lane, as well as reconstructing approximately 2,200 feet of I-95, including the southbound Exit 43 off-ramp. Bridge No. 00162 will be widened to accommodate three 12-foot travel lanes, a 12-foot operational lane, a 16-foot left shoulder and a 12-foot right shoulder in the southbound direction. The northbound direction will consist of three 12-foot travel lanes, a 16-foot left shoulder, and a 12-foot right shoulder.
Since the previous scoping, it was determined that in order to address the substandard super-elevation through the curve within the project limits, the roadway reconstruction will be extended an additional 800 feet to the west, requiring the replacement and widening of Bridge No. 00161 (I-95 over First Avenue). Bridge No. 00161 will be raised to provide a minimum 14-foot 6-inch underclearance and the standard super-elevation requirement will be achieved at this location. The reconstructed Bridge No. 00161 will accommodate three 12-foot travel lanes, a 5-foot left shoulder, and a 10-foot right shoulder in the southbound direction. The northbound direction will consist of three 12-foot travel lanes, a 12-foot acceleration lane, a 5-foot left shoulder, and a 10-foot right shoulder.
Project Maps: Click here to view maps of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday June 3, 2022.
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the contact below. If a public scoping meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public scoping meeting. Such requests must be made by the close of business on: Friday May 13, 2022.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to (Email preferred):
Name: Mr. Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOT.EnvironmentalPlanning@ct.gov
If you have questions about the project, contact:
Name: Mr. Alvaro Garcia Jr., Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: (860) 594-3353
E-Mail: Alvaro.Garcia@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
If an agency is unable to publish a Post-Scoping Notice within six months after the comment period for scoping, the agency will publish an update with an action status and an estimate as to when a Post-Scoping Notice will be published. Such an update will be published by the agency at six-month intervals until the Post-Scoping Notice is published. Read More
1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Eagleville Green, Mansfield
Address: 113-121 South Eagleville Road
Municipality: Mansfield, CT
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On September 21, 2021, the Department of Housing published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this action in the Environmental Monitor. The Department of Housing is unable to publish its determination regarding this action at this time.
Action Status: Awaiting additional information and evaluating comments.
Estimated Publication Date: The Department of Housing estimates that a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before October 21, 2022.
If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:
Name: JaCinta Frazier
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106
E-Mail: DOH.CEPA@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The Department of Housing will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the CEPA. A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
Post-Scoping Notice
A Post-Scoping Notice is the determination by a sponsoring agency, after publication of a Scoping Notice and consideration of comments received, whether an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) needs to be prepared for a proposed State action. Read More
1. Post-Scoping Notice for 833 Deming Road Multifamily Housing
Address: 833 Deming Road
Municipality: Berlin
CEPA Determination: On July 20, 2021, the Department of Housing published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed action in the Environmental Monitor.
Written comments were received August 11, 2021 from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and located here. These comments included acknowledgement of the June 17, 2020 approvals of protection measures based on recommendations from the Wildlife Division – located here. DEEP has also issued a permit for storm water management during construction December 7, 2020– located here.
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has issued their determination October 2, 2020 located here. The SHPO has determined the project will not affect historic properties.
The Town of Berlin Planning and Zoning and the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission has approved the site plan and all protective measures for adjacent wetlands and watercourses. The Department of Transportation has reviewed traffic studies and issued an encroachment permit and the Town of Berlin has issued Building Permits. All local approvals are located here. The project completed a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and third-party review which both indicated that additional site investigations or soil management plans were not warranted.
After consideration of the comments and approvals received, DOH has determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). The agency’s conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.
Agency contact:
Name: JaCinta Frazier
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106
E-Mail: DOH.CEPA@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency.
What Happens Next: The Department of Housing expects the proposed action to go forward. No future notices will be posted in the Environmental Monitor.
2. Post-Scoping Notice for Avery Park Revitalization Initiative – Woodland Spring Phase II
Address: 55 Woodland Springs Drive
Municipality: Stafford Springs, CT
CEPA Determination: On July 6, 2021, the Department of Housing published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed action in the Environmental Monitor.
Written comments were received August 2, 2021 from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and located here. These comments include reference to the June 28, 2021 recommendations from the Wildlife Division for mitigations and protective measures for several state-listed species located here. The project design team has incorporated wildlife protective recommendations into the project and has addressed all the DEEP comments on a March 23, 2022 response located here.
In addition, the State Office of Historic preservation has reviewed and issued a determination that no historic properties will be affected by the proposed activities. Their November 18, 2021 SHPO determination is located here. Because the project is receiving federal funding, an environmental assessment conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act was completed and summarized here.
After consideration of the comments received, DOH has determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). The agency’s conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.
Agency contact:
Name: JaCinta Frazier
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency.
What Happens Next:
The Department of Housing expects the proposed action to go forward. No future notices will be posted in the Environmental Monitor.
EIE Notice
After Scoping, an agency that wishes to undertake an action that could significantly affect the environment must produce, for public review and comment, a detailed written evaluation of the expected environmental impacts. This is called an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE). Read More
1. Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Mirror Lake Improvements at the University of Connecticut
Project Title: Mirror Lake Improvements
Address of Possible Project Location: Mansfield Road at the University of Connecticut, Storrs
Municipality where it would be located: Mansfield
Project Description: The University of Connecticut proposes to make improvements to Mirror Lake – an approximately 5-acre stormwater basin on the University’s Storrs Campus. The proposed project consists of the following elements:
- Dam safety improvements, including replacing the existing spillway with a stepped spillway and raising the dam’s earthen embankment
- Stormwater management improvements, including the rerouting of several discharge points into sedimentation forebays and regrading of upstream and downstream slopes
- Dredging and improvements to aquatic ecosystems, including the use of hydraulic and mechanical dredging to remove accumulated sediments and restore the lake depth
- Landscape improvements, including littoral zone plantings and site-specific amenities that enhance cultural benefits and improve access to the water’s edge
The Mirror Lake Improvements project was identified in UConn’s Campus Master Plan as a key near-term landscape project aimed at amplifying the University’s commitment to sustainable, resilient landscapes and enhancing Mirror Lake’s function as a ceremonial entry to the South Campus. This project will be an opportunity for the University to improve the Lake’s hydrological performance and natural aesthetic, while also expanding access to the water’s edge and celebrating the Lake as an important cultural asset and entry point to the campus.
Map of Proposed Action: Mirror Lake EIE Figure ES1 Proposed Action
Scoping Notice and Post-Scoping Notice: Beginning on November 16, 2021, the University of Connecticut published the first of three Notices of Scoping in the Environmental Monitor. A public scoping meeting was held virtually on December 8, 2021, and the 30-day comment period closed on December 16, 2021. The University of Connecticut published a post-scoping notice on February 22, 2022 in the Environmental Monitor.
The University has prepared an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE). The public may view a copy of this EIE at Mirror Lake Improvements EIE _webor the University Planning, Design and Construction’s project webpage at www.updc.uconn.edu/mirror-lake. A hard copy may be made available for viewing upon request.
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until 5 pm on: Friday, May 20, 2022
There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:
DATE: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
TIME: 6:30 pm EDT
PLACE: Virtual
NOTES: The meeting will be held virtually on GoToWebinar. You may register to attend using the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/992478990610264335. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting (including an option to join by phone). A link to the recording will be available shortly after the hearing at http://updc.uconn.edu/mirror-lake.
Written comments and/or questions about the meeting, project, or the EIE for this project should be sent to the following agency contact (email preferred) (Please use “Mirror Lake EIE” in the subject line):
Name: Ian Dann, Project Manager
Agency:University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction
Address:31 LeDoyt Rd, Unit 3038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3038
Phone:(860) 486-6503
E-Mail:ian.dann@uconn.edu
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted at https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/.
What Happens Next: The University of Connecticut will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the EIE. The University will also prepare responses to substantive issues raised in review of the comments received. Those responses, and all supplemental materials and comments, will be made available in a Record of Decision that will appear in a future issue of the Environmental Monitor.
Agency Record of Decision
After an ;Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed, an agency will prepare a concise public record of decision, which takes into consideration the agency’s findings in the EIE, and any comments received on that evaluation. Read More
OPM's Determination of Adequacy
After an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed. the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will determine if the EIE is adequate. If not, OPM will specify the areas of inadequacy with reference to CEPA or the CEPA regulations and specify the corrective action required. Read More
State Land Transfer Notice
Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47 requires public notice of most proposed sales and transfers of state-owned lands. The public has an opportunity to comment on any such proposed transfer. Each notice includes an address where comments should be sent. Read more about the process.
CEPA Project Inventory
The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) maintains a list of projects they have entered the CEPA process. It shows each project's status. The inventory can be found here.
All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: peter.hearn@ct.gov.
