train passing wetlands

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

March 20, 2007
Scoping Notices
      1.  NEW!  Implementation of Master Plan Activities, East Haven Rifle Range
      2.  NEW!  Hammonasset Beach Erosion Study and Environmental Impact Evaluation (Madison)  
      3.  Metropolitan District Long Term Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project (Hartford, West Hartford, other municipalities in district)
Environmental Impact Evaluations available for review and comment
      1.  Norwich Transportation Facility 

The next issue will be published on April 3, 2007.
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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 Implementation of Master Plan Activities, East Haven Rifle Range

Municipality where proposed project might be located:  East Haven

Address of Possible Project Location:  East Haven Rifle Range, New Haven

Project Description: The objective of the proposed action is to update and modernize existing training facilities and infrastructure within East Haven Rifle Range, and to provide new facilities to meet the Connecticut Army National Guard’s changing mission.  The proposed action is the implementation of activities outlined under the existing Master Plan, including: construction of a new 300 meter Modified Record Fire range, improvements to other existing range areas, construction of new maintenance, workshop and storage buildings, new latrine facilities, entrance improvements, installation of perimeter fencing, improved parking facilities, and other minor appurtenances.

Project Map:  Click here to view project Location Map   Click here to view a map of the Master Plan

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  April 20, 2007

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:           Robert Dollak, Environmental Program Manager

Agency:       Connecticut Military Department

Address:       Connecticut Army National Guard

                    Construction and Facilities Management Office

                    Environmental Division

                    360 Broad Street Room 225

                    Hartford, CT 06105

Phone:          (860)524-4945

Fax:             (860)524-4937

Email:             robert.dollak@us.army.mil

If you have questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name:          Glenn Elliott, Environmental Specialist

Agency:       Connecticut Military Department

Address:       Connecticut Army National Guard

                    Construction and Facilities Management Office

                    Environmental Division

                    360 Broad Street Room 225

                    Hartford, CT 06105

Phone:          (860)493-2736

Fax:             (860)524-4937

Email:             glenn.elliott@us.army.mil

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in September, 2007.


2. Notice of Scoping for Hammonasset Beach Erosion Study and Environmental Impact Evaluation

Municipality where proposed project might be located: The proposed project site is Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.  The primary focus of the project will be the beach, particularly the western end, but certain elements of the project will encompass the entire state park.

Project DescriptionHammonasset Beach State Park has suffered significant erosion in recent years. This erosion has reduced the usable area of the beach and is threatening the park’s infrastructure. The purpose of the proposed project is to study the shoreline erosion problem, identify and evaluate the feasibility of alternative solutions, and recommend a preferred solution. The following alternatives will be considered: 1) No Action, in which nature takes its course; 2) Retreat, in which beach infrastructure would be relocated to an area of reduced risk and sand dunes would be constructed for additional protection; 3) Replacement, in which the beach sand lost to erosion is replaced, with possible sources including sand dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers from navigation channels and/or offshore sites, or sand mined from upland sources, and 4) Structural Solutions such as using rock, concrete or other hard material to construct bulkheads, modify jetties, or construct a new jetty, floating breakwater or an offshore reef.

Project Map(s):   Click here to view an aerial photo depicting major features of the state park.  Click here for a topographic map of the beach and surrounding area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  April 20, 2007

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

DATE: April 12, 2007

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: Madison Memorial Town Hall, 10 School Street, Madison, Connecticut

NOTES: 7:00- Sign-in and Review of Informational Displays, 7:30 PM- Overview Presentation, 8:00 to close: Comment Period and ongoing review of displays

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

Name:  Tammy Talbot
Agency:  Department of Environmental  Protection
 State Parks Division
Address:  79 Elm Street, 6th Floor
 Hartford, Conn.  06106
Phone:  (860) 424-3199
Fax:  (860) 424-4070
E-Mail:

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact Ms. Talbot as directed above.

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in late 2007.


3. Notice of Scoping for the Metropolitan District
Long Term Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project

Municipality where proposed project might be located:   Member towns of the Metropolitan District, but primarily Hartford and West Hartford

Project Description: The Metropolitan District proposes to construct improvements to its wastewater collection and treatment system to eliminate pollution from the overflow of combined sewage to area receiving waters during wet weather for up to a one year return period storm.  These improvements include sewer separation in specific areas that experience street or basement back-ups, wet weather treatment improvements at the Hartford Water Pollution Control Plant, consolidation and relief interceptors, deep storage tunnels and related pump stations.  The District’s combined sewer system is over 100 years old and overflows occur during 50 rainfall events in an average year.  This results in the discharge of over 1 billion gallons of untreated combined sewage to area receiving waters annually.  The Metropolitan District is required by a Consent Order with the Department of Environmental Protection to implement the proposed improvements.  The long-term improvement program to be funded, in part, by the Clean Water Fund is anticipated to be implemented over a 16-year time span.

Project Map:  Click here to view a map depicting Phase I improvements.  Click here for an overview of the entire project.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  April 9, 2007

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, by March 16, 2007, the Department of Environmental Protection must schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.

Additional information about the project can be viewed in person at:

Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse
Municipal Facilities Section (2nd Floor)
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106

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

Name: Michael J. O’Brien, Supervising Sanitary Engineer
Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse
Address: 79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT  06106
Phone: (860) 424-3756
Fax: (860) 424-4067
E-Mail: michael.obrien@po.state.ct.us   

If you have questions about a public scoping meeting or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact Mr. O'Brien, as directed above.

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, shortly after the scoping period.


EIE Notices

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

1. Notice of EIE for Norwich Transportation Facility

Municipality where project is proposed: Norwich

Address of Project Location: Intersection of Main Street and Falls Avenue - Norwich

Project Description: The proposed intermodal transportation center will include a new multi-level parking structure consisting of 220 spaces; a new bus station; accommodations for shuttle and limousine service to nearby attractions; water access to pedestrians; linkage to water transportation; and services compatible with the activation of passenger rail service.  The project will also include related site improvements and utility relocation to support the new development.

Project Map: Click here for project site map

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on :April 9, 2007

The public can view a copy of this EIE at: This document is available for public inspection at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT; Norwich Community Development Corporation, 77 Main Street, Norwich, CT; City Clerk's Office, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT; the Otis Library, 2-6 Cliff Street, Norwich, CT; and the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, 5 Connecticut Avenue, Norwich, CT.

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:

DATE: Monday March 26, 2007

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: Norwich City Hall - 3rd floor - 100 Broadway Norwich, CT

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name: Mr. Edgar T. Hurle - Transportation Planning Director
Agency: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06051
E-Mail: Edgar.Hurle@po.state.ct.us

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

Name: Mr. Keith T. Hall - Transportation Supervising Planner
Agency: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06051
E-Mail: Keith.Hall@po.state.ct.us
Phone: 860-594-2926


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Copyright 2006, Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality