1. Notice of Scoping for Springborn Dam Removal

Municipality where proposed project is located: Enfield

Address of Project Location: Dam is on Scantic River in Scitico section of Enfield, adjacent to 504 Hazard Avenue

Project Description: The Springborn dam, owned by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is located on the Scantic River in Enfield.  It is a run-of-river dam built in 1890 to provide power for an adjacent mill.  The structure has deteriorated over time and is considered to be in very poor condition.  The dam currently consists of the failed remains of timber crib over stone masonry.

It is the goal of the Department to remove the dam in order to eliminate a public safety risk and reconnect habitat by restoring a stretch of free-flowing river.  Contaminated sediments in the impoundment will be identified and excavated prior to dam removal.

Project objectives include:

·         Eliminate a public safety risk

·         Eliminate a migratory barrier to diadromous fish and eastern brook trout

·         Promote the restoration of runs of American shad, river herring, sea lamprey, and American eel

·         Remove contaminated sediment from the river to eliminate exposure hazard to reacreationalists and downstream residents (in the event of dam failure) and strengthen the long-term resiliency of the aquatic organisms

·         Restore natural riverine functions (e.g. sediment transport, restoration of floodplain functions and values, maintenance of normal thermal regimes, re-establishment of natural riverine vegetative communities)

Project Maps:  Click here to view a map of the project location.
                       Click here to view an aerial photograph of the dam.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  May 9, 2014

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency 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 Department of Energy & Environmental Protection will schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.  Such requests must be made by April 18, 2014. 

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

If you have questions about a public meeting, or other questions about the project or scoping, contact Ms. Perry as directed above.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Any person with a disability who may need a communication aid or service may contact the agency's ADA Coordinator at 860-424-3194 or at deep.hrmed@ct.gov.  Any person with limited proficiency in English, who may need information in another language, may contact the agency's Title VI Coordinator at 860-424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.  ADA or Title VI discrimination complaints may be filed with DEEP’s EEO Manager at (860) 424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.