Environmental Monitor

October 21, 2014 

  1.   Stony Brook Water Treatment Plant, Montville.
 
     No Post-Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
 
 
     No Environmental Impact Evaluation has been submitted for publication in this edition.
 
  1.  New! Old Lyme
  2.  New! Simsbury

          
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on  November 4, 2014.
 
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Scoping Notices

"Scoping" is for projects 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.


The following Scoping Notice has been submitted for review and comment.

1. Notice of Scoping for the Stony Brook Water Treatment Plant Facility Upgrades

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Montville

Address of Possible Project Location: 260 Cherry Lane

Project Description: Norwich Public Utilities is improving the Stony Brook surface Water Treatment Plant (WTP) by retrofitting the existing non-buoyant filter media contact clarifiers with Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) clarifier units.  The retrofit will be housed in a building addition adjoining the existing water treatment plant. The project also includes modifications to the interior and exterior piping as required to accommodate the proposed retrofit.  There will be no change in the production capacity of the WTP.

Project Maps Click here to view a map of the project area.  Click here to view a schematic of the proposed building addition.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday, November 7, 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 sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.  Such requests must be made by October 17, 2014.

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

Name: Mr. Eric McPhee
Agency: Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #51WAT
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Fax: 860-509-7359
E-Mail: DPH.SourceProtection@ct.gov

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

Name: Patricia Bisacky
Agency: Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #51WAT
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860-509-7333
Fax: 860-509-7359
E-Mail: Patricia.Bisacky@ct.gov

 
Post-Scoping Notices:   Environmental Impact Evaluation Not Required
 
This category is required by the October 2010 revision of the Generic Environmental Classification Document for State Agencies. A notice is published here if the sponsoring agency, after publication of a scoping notice and consideration of comments received, has determined that an  Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) does not need to be prepared for the proposed project.


No Post-Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


 
 
After Scoping, an agency that wishes to undertake an action that could significantly affect the environment must produce, for public review and comment, a detailed written evaluation of the expected environmental impacts. This is called an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE).


No Environmental Impact Evaluation  has been submitted for publication in this edition.


 
 
 
Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47 requires public notice of most proposed sales and transfers of state-owned lands. The public has an opportunity to comment on any such proposed transfer. Each notice includes an address where comments should be sent. Read more about the process.


The Following State Land Transfer Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.


 
1. Notice of Proposed Land Transfer, Old Lyme

Complete Address of Property: Old Boston Post Road, Old Lyme

Number of acres to be transferred: 0.62 acres

Property Location and Survey:  Click for: map,  Click for: photo

Description of Property

Brief Description of Historical and Current Uses:

The parcel to be transferred to the Town of Old Lyme was historically under the custody and control of the Department of Transportation, and was associated with Route 1 and the prior Route 1 Bridge over the Lieutenant River. The parcel became surplus when it was no longer needed for highway purposes. In 1979, this parcel was transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection (now the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or DEEP) for public access to the River. The Town would be able to combine this parcel with town-owned land to expand and enhance recreational opportunities and water access for the general public.

The property to be transferred contains the following:

   Buildings in use 
   Buildings not in use
   Wooded land
 x   Nonagricultural fields
   Active agriculture
   Paved areas
   Ponds, streams or other water
 Water Supply:       Public water supply       On-site well   x   Unknown
 Waste Disposal:     Served by sewers    On-site septic system   x  Unknown

The Connecticut Conservation and Development Policies Plan identifies the property as being in the following category:

   Regional Center
   Neighborhood Conservation Area
   Growth Area
   Rural Community Center
   Rural Area
 x   Conservation Area
   Preservation Area
   Existing Preserved Open Space

The property is in the following municipal zone:

   Not zoned
   Residential
   Industrial
   Commercial
   Institutional
   Other:  
  x   Not known

Type of Sale or Transfer

 x  Sale or transfer of property in fee
      Sale or transfer of partial interest in the property (such as an easement).  Description of interest:

Proposed recipient, if known: Town of Old Lyme

Proposed use by property recipient, if known: The Town of Old Lyme has proposed to enhance this public water access area. The area will be open to the public, regardless of residency. The Town will fund any needed infrastructure and the maintenance of the property.

 

The agency is proposing to transfer the property with the following restrictions on future uses: DEEP will convey the land with the following restrictions in the deed: the property must be open to the public, regardless of residency, the Town of Old Lyme must use the property solely for public recreation purposes, and the property will revert to DEEP if either condition is violated. 

      If checked, the state is not currently proposing restrictions on future uses.

 

Reason the State of Connecticut is proposing to transfer this property: The Town of Old Lyme is best-suited to enhance and maintain this small, standalone property for public use and benefit. If the property is not used for public recreation, it will revert to DEEP.

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on: NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Comments may include information that you have about significant natural resources or recreation resources on the property, as well as your recommendations for means to preserve such resources.

Written comments* should be sent to:

Name:

Patrick O’Brien

Title:

Bureau of Assets Management

Agency:

Office of Policy and Management

Address:

450 Capitol Avenue MS#52 ASP
Hartford, CT 06106-1379

E-Mail:

Patrick.Obrien@ct.gov

*E-Mail submissions are preferred.

What Happens Next

When this comment period closes, the proposed land transfer can take one of three tracks:

  1. If no public comments are received, the sale or transfer can proceed with no further public comment and no further notices in the Environmental Monitor, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

  2. If public comments are received, the Office of Policy and Management will respond to those comments.  The comments and responses will be published in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of the comments and responses, the proposed sale or transfer can proceed, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

  3. If the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) elects to conduct a further review of the property, it may submit to the Office of Policy and Management a report with recommendations for preserving all or part of the property.  The report and recommendations will be published in the Environmental Monitor, and there will be a 30-day public comment period.  The DEEP will publish its responses to any comments received and its final recommendation about the property in the Environmental Monitor.  The Office of Policy and Management will then make the final determination as to the ultimate disposition of the property, and will publish that determination in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of that final determination, the sale or transfer can proceed.

To find out if this proposed transfer is the subject of further notices, check future editions of the Environmental Monitor.  Sign up for e-alerts to receive a reminder e-mail on publication dates.


 2. NOTICE OF PROPOSED LAND TRANSFER, SIMSBURY

Complete Address of Property: Town Forest Road, Simsbury

Number of acres to be transferred: 10.181 acres

View: map

Description of Property

Brief Description of Historical and Current Uses: The Town of Simsbury has requested control of an existing public road known as Town Forest Road. A portion of this road, between Stratton Brook Road and Nimrod Road, is owned by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and is used as a public road with no dedicated use by DEEP for any business or recreational purpose.  The road currently terminates at Town Forest Park, land owned by the Town of Simsbury.  DEEP acquired this former rail line in 1941, as a part of its acquisitions that now comprise Stratton Brook State Park.  The developed Park lands and trails are located on across Stratton Brook Road to the northeast.

The property to be transferred contains the following:

   Buildings in use
   Buildings not in use
   Wooded land
   Nonagricultural fields
   Active agriculture
 x    Paved areas
   Ponds, streams or other water
 Water Supply:        Public water supply       On-site well   x  Unknown
 Waste Disposal:     Served by sewers    On-site septic system  x   Unknown
 
The property is in the following municipal zone
 x   Not zoned
   Residential
   Industrial
   Commercial
   Institutional
   Other:  
   Not known 

Value of property, if known

 x   If checked, value is not known.

Type of Sale or Transfer:

 x   Sale or transfer of property in fee
   Sale or transfer of partial interest in the property (such as an easement).  Description of interest:

Proposed recipient, if known: Town of Simsbury

Proposed use by property recipient, if known: The Town of Simsbury will continue to use this road as it is currently used as a public roadway.  As owner of the road, they intend to install public utilities in the road to service town facilities, including Tootin’ Hills Elementary School on Nimrod Road.

The agency is proposing to transfer the property with the following restrictions on future uses: The requirement that the Town will maintain the parcel as a Town road allowing the general public to pass and repass. The Town shall also mark the pavement and provide signage indicating that the road is to be shared with bicyclist and pedestrians.

      If checked, the state is not currently proposing restrictions on future uses.

Reason the State of Connecticut is proposing to transfer this property: The Town of Simsbury has requested ownership of this public roadway, which has been maintained by the Town for public use.  In exchange, the Town is proposing to provide DEEP with 6.672 acres of land that abuts Massacoe State Forest.  DEEP accepts this proposal, as access to all DEEP land will continue with the Town’s ownership of Town Forest Road and DEEP will no longer have the responsibility for maintaining a public roadway that has no dedicated use for DEEP business purposes or recreation.

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on    NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Comments may include information that you have about significant natural resources or recreation resources on the property, as well as your recommendations for means to preserve such resources.

Written comments* should be sent to:

Name:

Patrick O’Brien

Title:

Bureau of Assets Management

Agency:

Office of Policy and Management

Address:

450 Capitol Avenue MS#52 ASP

Hartford, CT 06106-1379

E-Mail:

Patrick.Obrien@ct.gov

*E-Mail submissions are preferred.

Additional information, if any:  Delete this line if you have no additional information!

What Happens Next

When this comment period closes, the proposed land transfer can take one of three tracks:

  1. If no public comments are received, the sale or transfer can proceed with no further public comment and no further notices in the Environmental Monitor, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

  2. If public comments are received, the Office of Policy and Management will respond to those comments.  The comments and responses will be published in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of the comments and responses, the proposed sale or transfer can proceed, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

  3. If the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) elects to conduct a further review of the property, it may submit to the Office of Policy and Management a report with recommendations for preserving all or part of the property.  The report and recommendations will be published in the Environmental Monitor, and there will be a 30-day public comment period.  The DEEP will publish its responses to any comments received and its final recommendation about the property in the Environmental Monitor.  The Office of Policy and Management will then make the final determination as to the ultimate disposition of the property, and will publish that determination in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of that final determination, the sale or transfer can proceed.

To find out if this proposed transfer is the subject of further notices, check future editions of the Environmental Monitor.  Sign up for e-alerts to receive a reminder e-mail on publication dates.


 
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