train passing wetlands

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR
The official site for project information under
the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act

April 4, 2003
Scoping Notices
NEW!  New 600-Car Garage at Midtown Campus of Western Connecticut State University (Danbury) 
NEW!  Putnam Bridge Boat Ramp (Wethersfield)
3  Proposed Downtown Torrington Redevelopment (Torrington)
4  I-95 Commuter Shoulders (Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Westport)
Environmental Impact Evaluations available for review and comment
        1  NEW!  Consolidation of Three Rivers Community College  (Norwich)
        2  Stone's Ranch Master Plan (East Lyme, Lyme, Old Lyme)
The next issue will be published on April 22, 2003.
Subscribe to e-alerts for The Environmental Monitor.

Scoping Notices

Scoping Notices have been issued for the following state projects.  These projects are 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.

1. Notice of Scoping for New 600 Car Parking Garage at the Midtown Campus Of Western CT State University

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Danbury

Address of Possible Project Location:  On the Midtown Campus of WCSU at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Osborne Street

Project Description: The purpose of the proposed action is to develop a new 600 car parking garage on the site of an existing surface lot that accomodates 180 vehicles on the campus of Western Connecticut State University in downtown Danbury.   

Project MapClick 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:  May 8, 2003

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 sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.

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

Name: Alexandria Roe
Agency: Connecticut State University System
Address: 39 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Fax: 860-493-0006
E-Mail:

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

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in September 2003.


2. Notice of Scoping for Putnam Bridge Boat Ramp

Municipality where proposed project would be located: Wethersfield

Address of Project Location: Great Meadow Road, Wethersfield

Project Description: The Department of Transportation (DOT), in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, proposes to construct a new 6-lane boat launch with 148 parking spaces along the Connecticut River under the Putnam Bridge (Route 3) in Wethersfield.  This project is in response to requests from individuals and elected officials for increased boating access to the Connecticut River in the Hartford area.  It will also fulfill a condition of a permit granted to DOT for construction of the Baldwin Bridge across the Connecticut River between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.

Project Map(s):  Click here to view a map of the project location.  Click here to view a project site plan.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  May 9, 2003

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

DATE: April 15, 2003

TIME: 7 pm to 9 pm

PLACE: Town Library Meeting Room, 505 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield

Additional information about the project can be viewed in person at: the Department of Environmental Protection, State Parks Division, 6th Floor, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, 06106

Written comments should be sent to:

Name: Tammy Viele, Environmental Analyst 3
Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks Division
Address: 79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Fax: (860) 424-4070
E-Mail: tammy.viele@po.state.ct.us

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

Name: Tammy Viele, Environmental Analyst 3
Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks Division
Address: 79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 424-3199
E-Mail: tammy.viele@po.state.ct.us

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in July of 2003.


3.  Notice of Scoping for Proposed Downtown Torrington Redevelopment

Municipality where proposed project is located:  Torrington

Project Location:  City of Torrington, downtown area, centered on Main Street between South Main Street and Church Street and the vicinities of Water Street, East Main Street, Franklin Street and Litchfield Street. 

Project Description: DECD is undertaking an environmental impact evaluation, in
accord with CEPA, for the City of Torrington's downtown redevelopment project.  The goals of the plan are to achieve economic growth through the encouragement of private investment, while preserving the character and heritage of Torrington's downtown.  The Conceptual Master Plan for the Downtown Area includes considerations for strengthing and improving the critical elements of mixed-use retail and housing, pedestrian circulation, river amenities, streetscape, aesthetics, traffic circulation and parking. 

Project Map(s):  Click here to view a map of the project area. 

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until:    April 21, 2003 at 4:00 PM

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting (within 10 days of this notice) by sending such a request to the address below 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.

Additional information about the project can be viewed in person at the Torrington City Hall or online at: www.torringtonct.org

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

Name: Marie E. McGuinness   
Agency: Department of Economic & Community Development   
Address: Infrastructure & Real Estate Divsion
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT  06106-7106
Fax: 860/270-8157
E-Mail: marie.mcguinness@po.state.ct.us

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

Name: Marie E. McGuinness   
Agency: Department of Economic & Community Development       
Address: Infrastructure & Real Estate Divsion   
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT  06106-7106
Phone: 860/270-8148
Fax: 860/270-8157   
E-Mail: marie.mcguinness@po.state.ct.us

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in the fall 2003.


4.  Notice of Scoping for I-95 Commuter Shoulders

Municipalities where proposed project might be located:  Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, and Westport.

Address of Possible Project Location: John Davis Lodge Turnpike (Interstate 95)

Project Description:

As a congestion mitigation measure, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) proposes to use the outside shoulders (breakdown lanes) as travel lanes during peak traffic hours on Interstate 95 between Interchange 8 in Stamford and Interchange 18 in Westport. The project would be constructed within existing ConnDOT right of way limits.

The project would allow automobiles to use the outside shoulder as a travel lane south bound during the peak hours of travel in the morning and north bound during the afternoon hours. Trucks and other commercial vehicles would be prohibited from using the shoulders as travel lanes at any time.

The project would include the use of ramp metering technology to moderate traffic flow onto the highway from entrance ramps during hours of operation. This system would utilize traffic sensors and signals to regulate flow onto the main line.

Written comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Tuesday, May 20, 2003.

Public Scoping Meetings:

Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Town Hall Auditorium
2 Renshaw Road
Darien, Connecticut

Tuesday, April 29, 2003 (New Date)
Town Hall
100 Myrtle Avenue
Westport, Connecticut

Tuesday, May 6, 2003 (New Date)
Third Floor Council Chambers (New Location)
City Hall
12700 Norwalk Boulevard
Norwalk, Connecticut

In all cases, staff will be available to discuss the project starting at 6:30 PM and the formal meeting will commence at 7:00 PM. 

Please contact Mr. Foran at (860) 594-2925 with any questions you may have with regard to these meetings.

Written comments about the project should be sent to:

Name: Edgar T. Hurle

Director of Environmental Planning

Bureau of Policy and Planning

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Address:

PO Box 317546

Newington, CT 06131-7546
Phone: (860) 594-2920
E-Mail: Edgar.T.Hurle@po.state.ct.us


EIE Notices

The following Environmental Impact Evaluations have been completed by state agencies and are available for review and comment. 

1. EIE Notice for Consolidation of Three Rivers Community College

Municipality where project is proposed: Norwich

Address of Possible Project Location: 7 Mahan Drive

Project Description: The Board of Trustees of Community-Technical Colleges (BOTCTC) proposes to consolidate the two existing campuses of the Three Rivers Community College (TRCC), the Mohegan Campus and Thames Valley Campus, at the existing Mohegan Campus site at 7 Mahan Drive in Norwich.  The consolidation would provide 292,000 gross square feet of floor space that would adequately support approximately 2000 Full Time Equivalent students.

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project area.

Comments on this Draft EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: May 15, 2003

The public can view a copy of this Draft EIE at:

Norwich City Clerk's Office (ph: 860-823-3732), Room 215, Planning Department (ph: 860-823-3766), City Hall, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT

Mohegan Campus Library, TRCC, Mohegan Campus, 7 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT (ph: 860-383-5202)

BOTCTC, 61 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT (ph: 860-725-6642)

State of Connecticut Department of Public Works, 165 Capitol Avenue, Room 437, Hartford, CT (ph: 860-713-5610)

There is a public hearing scheduled for this Draft EIE on:

DATE: Tuesday, May 6, 2003

TIME: 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

PLACE: Mohegan Campus auditorium, 7 Mahan Drive, Norwich, Connecticut

NOTES: Click here for directions.

An electronic copy of the Draft EIE is available for viewing online at the Three Rivers Community College's Collocation Website: http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/collocation/index.htm

Send your comments about this Draft EIE to:

Name: Ahmed Beermann-Ahmed, AIA
Agency: Board of Trustees of Community-Technical Colleges
Address: 61 Woodland Street
Hartford, Connecticut  06105
Phone: (860) 725-6642
Fax: (860) 566-6624
E-Mail: aahmed@commnet.edu

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this Draft EIE, or similar matters, please contact:

Name: Dennis Tovey, Project Manager
Agency: Connecticut Department of Public Works
Address: 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 713-5610
Fax: (860) 713-7261
E-Mail: dennis.tovey@po.state.ct.us

Other information: Click here for the Three Rivers Community College Website.


 

2. EIE Notice for Stone's Ranch Master Plan

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: East Lyme, Lyme, Old Lyme

Address of Possible Project Location: Route 1, East Lyme 

Project Description:  In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act, an Environmental Impact Evaluation has been issued by the Connecticut Army National Guard, which evaluates the environmental effects of Master Plan Activities at Stone's Ranch Military Reservation in East Lyme, CT. The Environmental Assessment is performed to assess the potential for environmental impacts in conjunction with planned actions, including:  construction of new Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) facility, new latrines and showers, and a new firehouse, and reconstruction of main and secondary gates.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: May 2, 2003

The public can view a copy of this EIE at: East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357  OR  East Lyme Town Clerks Office, 108 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic, CT 06537

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Hearing on this EIE by sending such a request to the address below by March 28.  If a hearing is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Hearing.

Send your comments about this EIE or your request for a public hearing to:

Name: Major John Whitford
Title:
State Public Affairs Officer
Agency: Connecticut Army National Guard
Address: 360 Broad Street
Hartford, CT  06105-3795

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact:

Name: same as above
Agency:
Address:
E-Mail:
Phone: 860-524-4857


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Copyright 2002, Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality