Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

5. Notice of Scoping for Seaside State Park Master Plan

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Waterford

Address of Possible Project Location: 36 Shore Road 

Project Description:  The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation is proposing to implement the Seaside State Park Master Plan (July 2016), which is to further the transformation of the former Seaside Regional Center site into a 32-acre State park.  The Master Plan has five main goals, which are: 1) promote and improve recreation and public access to Long Island Sound; 2) Restore, preserve, and reuse historic assets where feasible; 3) preserve and improve the site’s ecology and habitat; 4) create an implementation and operating plan that is financially feasible; and 5) engage the public in helping shape the future of Seaside State Park.

The Master Plan explored and identified three potential State park concepts.  The three concepts and their main elements are:

1) Destination Park: a) active beach park with serpentine boardwalk and living shoreline; b) park lodge featuring renovation of historic buildings, sun decks and restaurant, adjacent private cottage rentals; and c) living shoreline restoration of oyster reef and coastal woodland habitat.
2) Ecological Park: a) nature trail linking wildlife viewing areas; b) landscape art installations with a heliotropic theme; c) living shoreline restoration of oyster reef and coastal woodland habitat; and d) historic buildings demolished.
3) Passive Recreation Park: a) low maintenance open lawns and tree groves; b) unprogrammed park grounds and beaches; c) restoration of seawall; and d) historic buildings demolished.
The Master Plan has identified a modified version of the Destination Park concept as a preferred option; however and at this point in time, the Environmental Impact Evaluation would evaluate all three concepts, along with the no-action alternative.
To view the Master Plan click on this link: Master Plan

Project Map(s):  Click on the following links to view:

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Thursday, September 1, 2016.

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 2016

TIME: 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) 

PLACE: Waterford Town Hall Auditorium, 15 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT

Additional information about the project can be viewed online by clicking here.

Written comments should be sent to:

Name:
David A. Kalafa, Policy Development Coordinator
Agency:
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address:  
79 Elm Street
Hartford, Connecticut  06106
Fax:
860-424-4070
E-Mail:
DEEP.seasideEIE@ct.gov

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

Name:
Jeff Bolton
Agency:
Department of Administrative Services - Division of Construction Services
Address:  
165 Capitol Ave, Room 483, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone:
860-713-5706
Fax:
860-713-7251
E-Mail:
The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in late 2016 or early 2017.