2. Notice of Scoping for Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) Installation of a Wildlife Deterrent Fence at Groton-New London Airport

Municipalities where proposed project might be located:   Groton

Address of Possible Project Location:  Groton-New London Airport

Project Description: The proposed undertaking involves preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) documentation as required to evaluate the installation of a wildlife deterrent fence at the Groton-New London Airport. The airport is a public-use, publically owned General Aviation airport located in the Town of Groton, seven miles from New London, in New London County. The airport is owned and operated by the CAA.

The purpose of the project is to enclose the entire Airport with an 8 foot chain link fence with a 3 foot horizontal burrowing deterrent chain link “skirt” attached to the bottom and 3 strands of barbed wire on the top, in accordance with FAA specifications. The need for the proposed project is to protect aircraft and their passengers from hazardous conditions at the airport as a result of medium to large sized wildlife, including deer, coyote and woodchuck, entering the airport property. The airport is currently surrounded on three sides by a wildlife fence.  The project would include inspection of and repairs to this fence, as well as installation of the additional fencing along portion of the airport abutting the Poquonnock River. 

Because the project is partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an Environmental Assessment (EA) shall be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and shall address all CEPA requirements.

Project Map:  A project map is provided which shows the proposed action and alternatives.

Written comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on:   October 22, 2015.   

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency (CAA) to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a 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 October 2, 2015.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

The agency expects to release an environmental document for this project, for public review and comment, in early summer 2016.