Environmental Monitor

April 19, 2016

  1.   Environmental Assessment for Off-Airport Tree Obstruction Removal, Windham Airport
  2.   State Office Building Renovations, Hartford
  3.   NEW! Intersection Improvements Route 34 and Route 490 at I-84 Interchange 11 Ramps, Newtown
  1.   NEW! Various Bridge Rehabilitations at I-84 & Route 8 Northbound with Temporary Bypass, Waterbury
  2.   NEW! Replacement of Bridge  #03993 at West St. over Providence & Worcester R.R., Middletown
  1.   Wildlife Hazard Deterrent Fence, Hartford-Brainard Airport, Hartford and Wethersfield
 
     No State Land Transfer Notice Has Been Submitted for Publication in This Edition.
                     

          
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on  May 3, 2016.
 
Subscribe to e-alerts to receive an e-mail when the Environmental Monitor is published.

Notices in the Environmental Monitor are written by the sponsoring agencies and are published unedited. Questions about the content of any notice should be directed to the sponsoring agency.

 
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 Notices have been submitted for review and comment.

1. Notice of Environmental Assessment for the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) –
Off-Airport Tree Obstruction Removal at the Windham Airport

Municipality where project is proposed: Town of Windham.

Address of Possible Project Location: Airport Road, Windham, CT (off of US Route 6).

Project Description: Preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) environmental document as required to evaluate the potential impacts associated with tree obstruction removal in areas surrounding Windham Airport. The evaluation addresses tree obstruction removals associated with Federally-defined airspace surfaces surrounding the airport necessary for the continued safe operation of aircraft. Objects that penetrate these surfaces are classified as obstructions by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The project sponsoring agencies, the Connecticut Aviation Authority (CAA), and FAA have identified that trees penetrate the airspace at Windham Airport, including locations beyond the airport property boundaries. Per FAA practice, review of off-airport obstruction removal should be evaluated and documented via a NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) and state CEPA Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE). This project includes the identification of each affected property owner and associated parcels (both public and private) with anticipated obstruction removals.

Project Diagram: Project maps can be found at the following location:

http://windhamairport.caa-analysis.com/project-documents/

The EA/EIE can be viewed in person at:

Mansfield Public Library

55 Warrenville Road

Mansfield Center, CT 06250

The EA/EIE can also be found on the study website:

http://windhamairport.caa-analysis.com/project-documents/

Written comments on this EA/EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: Monday, May 31, 2016.   

Written comments should be sent to:

Name:

Mr. Robert J. Bruno, Director of Planning, Engineering, & Environmental

Agency:

Connecticut Airport Authority

Address:

334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 160

Windsor Locks, CT 06096

Phone:

(860) 254-5516

E-Mail:

environmental@ctairports.org

The CAA is holding an informal Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, March 29th 2016 from 7 to 9 PM, at the Mansfield Public Library in the Buchanan Auditorium (55 Warrenville Road, Mansfield Center, CT 06250). A formal public hearing has not been scheduled.


2. Notice of Scoping for State Office Building Renovations

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Hartford

Addresses of Possible Project Location: 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford and 309 Buckingham Street, Hartford 

Project Description: The following main elements of the Proposed Action are: A complete interior renovation of the existing 321,000 gross square foot State Office Building, which was built in 1931, restoration and renovation of the building exterior, renovation of the central exterior courtyard, and reconfiguration of the existing building entrances.  Site work includes the creation of a civic landscaped plaza located to the immediate east of the existing building, redevelopment of all existing perimeter streetscape and redevelopment of the existing surface parking lot on the eastern section of the site.  The overall project also includes the demolition of the existing 450 car parking structure and the 309 Buckingham Trade Shop located at the corner of Washington and Buckingham Streets, the development of a new 1,000 space parking structure, and related site improvements.  The new multi-level 1,000 space parking structure is proposed to have six levels above grade and three below on the Washington Street side.  An option is to provide retail space along Washington Street as part of the overall parking structure.  The remaining green space at the corner of Washington and Buckingham Streets would be a landscaped park-like area.

This Proposed Action is related to the long range planning strategy aimed at reducing the quantity of leased office facilities for State employees by maximizing the utilization of State owned properties.  The process of this consolidation calls for the current occupants of the State Office Building to be relocated to other State owned facilities in Hartford so the existing space can be renovated, reprogrammed, and re-occupied by agencies currently in leased spaces.  The Proposed Action of acquiring property for this overall long range planning was previously covered under a separate Early Public Scoping Notice (see CEQ, October 2, 2012, State Buildings Space Needs, Hartford, Environmental Monitor).

Project Map(s)Click here to general location (1.1 MB).  Click here to view a map of the project area (6.1 MB).  Click here to view the design concept (439 KB).

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  May 5, 2016

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 April 15, 2016.

An Initial Environmental Review has been completed and is available to review by clicking here.

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

Name: Jeff Bolton, Supervising Environmental Analyst
Agency: Department of Administrative Services
Address: 165 Capitol Avenue, Room 483, Hartford, CT 06106
Fax: 860-713-7251
E-Mail: jeffrey.bolton@ct.gov

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

Name: Jeff Bolton, Supervising Environmental Analyst
Agency: Department of Administrative Services
Address: 165 Capitol Avenue, Room 483, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-713-5706
Fax: 860-713-7251
E-Mail: jeffrey.Bolton@ct.gov

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in August, 2016.


3. Notice of Scoping for  Intersection Improvements: Route 34 (Berkshire Rd.) at SR 490 (Wasserman Way), Route 34 (Berkshire Road) at Toddy Hill Road,  and SR 490 (Wasserman Way) at I-84 Interchange 11 Ramps

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Newtown

Address of Possible Project Location: Route 34 (Berkshire Rd.) at SR 490 (Wasserman Way), Route 34 (Berkshire Road) at Toddy Hill Road,  and SR 490 (Wasserman Way) at I-84 Interchange 11 Ramps

Project Description: The purpose of this project is to address congestion and improve traffic operations at a key junction between the major commuter routes of I-84 Interchange 11 ramps, Route 34 (Berkshire Road), and Route 25 via SR 490 (Wasserman Way). 

The length of the proposed project area is 2600' along Route 34, 3700' along the I-84 ramps, 1500' along Wasserman Way, and approximately 100' on Toddy Hill Road.  A bridge replacement project on Toddy Hill Road is currently programmed for construction under the town's state-funded bridge replacement project and is not part of these improvements.

The proposed improvements will address extensive congestion, improve traffic operations and safety by providing auxiliary turning lanes, improved geometry at intersections, and by constructing a slip ramp from Route 34 West Bound (WB) to access the I-84 East Bound (EB) and WB ramps. 

Improvements include widening the roadway on Route 34 and Wasserman Way, adding turning lanes at the intersections, improving the sightlines at the Route 34 and Toddy Hill Road intersection by lowering the roadway profile, upgrading existing drainage, and constructing a retaining wall under the I-84 overpass to accommodate the proposed widening.  The off-ramp from I-84 at the Exit 11 interchange will be reconfigured to accommodate an additional turn lane and realigned to normalize the intersection with Wasserman Way.  The I-84 EB ramp will be realigned slightly north to accommodate the proposed slip ramp from Route 34.  Route 34 will be widened at the westerly project limit to accommodate a WB bypass width shoulder for the High School driveway.  The existing commuter lot located on Wasserman Way will be partially reconstructed.  Illumination will be upgraded on the I-84 ramps as part of this project.  

New traffic signals will replace the existing signals on Route 34 at Wasserman Way and on Wasserman Way at the I-84 ramp termini.  A major upgrade to the traffic signal on Route 34 at Toddy Hill Road is also proposed.

Improvements to bicycle, pedestrian and commuter accommodations will be incorporated where possible.  Four foot minimum shoulders will be included and 5 foot shoulders may be included where possible.  Sidewalks are proposed along the south side of Route 34 from the Newtown High School to Toddy Hill Road, and along Wasserman Way from the Route 34 intersection south to Oakview Road.  Sidewalk is also proposed on Wasserman Way to the commuter lot. 

Project Maps:  Click here to view location maps of the project area.

                          Click here to view the proposed project concept map.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Friday May 20, 2016 

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 Friday April 29, 2016. 

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

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail:

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

Name: Mr. Neil M. Patel, Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3411
E-Mail:

 
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.

 


The Following Post-Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Post-Scoping Notice for Various Bridge Rehabilitation at Route 8/I-84 "Mixmaster" Interchange including Construction of Route 8 NB Temporary Bypass

Municipality where project will be located: Waterbury

CEPA Determination:  On November 3, 2015 the Connecticut Department of Transportation published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.  Comments were received from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Health, and the City of Waterbury.  The Connecticut Department of Transportation has taken those comments into consideration and has concluded that the project does not require the preparation of Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA.

The agency's conclusion is documented in an Environmental Assessment Checklist and  Memo of Findings and Determination.

If you have questions about the project, you can contact the agency at:

Name:

Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning

Address:

 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone:

860- 594-2931

E-Mail:


What happens next: The Connecticut Department of Transportation expects the project to go forward. This is expected to be the final notice of the project to be published in the Environmental Monitor.

2. Post-Scoping Notice for Replacement of Bridge No. 03993 - West Street over Providence and Worcester Railroad

Municipality where project will be located: Middletown

CEPA Determination:  On January 19, 2016 the Connecticut Department of Transportation published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.  Comments were received from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Health, and the Office of Policy and Management.  The Connecticut Department of Transportation has taken those comments into consideration and has concluded that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA.

The agency's conclusion is documented in an Environmental Assessment Checklist  and a  Memo of Findings and Determination.

If you have questions about the project, you can contact the agency at:

Name:

Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning

Address:

2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone:

860-594-2931

E-Mail:

What happens next: The Connecticut Department of Transportation expects the project to go forward. This is expected to be the final notice of the project to be published in the Environmental Monitor.


 
 
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).

 


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

1. Notice of EIE for Wildlife Hazard Deterrent Fence at Hartford-Brainard Airport

Project TitleConnecticut Airport Authority (CAA) Installation of a Wildlife Deterrent Fence

Municipalities where project is proposedCity of Hartford, Town of Wethersfield

Address of Possible Project LocationHartford – Brainard Airport, Maxim Road, Hartford, CT

Project Description: This DRAFT Environmental Assessment (EA)/Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) to address potential impacts associated with the installation of a wildlife deterrent fence while providing the opportunity for public involvement and comments, since the project is partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The airport is a public-use General Aviation airport located entirely in the City of Hartford, Connecticut owned and operated by the CAA.  All action alternatives were found to not be reasonable, feasible or practicable upon preliminary review, and the project will not be implemented at this time.

The purpose of the project was to enclose the entire Hartford-Brainard Airport with an 8 foot chain link fence with a 3 foot horizontal burrowing deterrent chain link “skirt” attached to the bottom and 3 strands of barbed wire on the top, in accordance with FAA specifications. The need for the proposed project is to protect aircraft and their passengers from hazardous conditions at the airport as a result of medium to large sized wildlife, including deer, coyote, raccoons and woodchuck, from entering the airport property.  The airport is currently surrounded on the three landward sides by a wildlife fence.  The project would have included inspection of and repairs to this fence, as well as the installation of additional fencing along a portion of the airport abutting Clark Dike and the Connecticut River.

Project Map of proposed action and alternatives: http://public.ctairports.org/dl/HFD-Wildlife_Fence/Plan/.  Click here to view a map of the project area.

Written comments on this DRAFT EIE will be accepted until the close of business onMay 6, 2016.

The public can view a copy of the DRAFT EIE at: http://public.ctairports.org/dl/HFD-Wildlife_Fence/Report/.

Written comments about this DRAFT EIE should be sent to:

Name: Mr. Robert J. Bruno, Director of Planning, Engineering & Environmental
Agency:

Connecticut Airport Authority

Address: 334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 160, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
E-Mail: environmental@ctairports.org

If you have questions on where you can review this DRAFT EIE, or similar matters, please contact:

Name: Mr. Robert J. Bruno, Director of Planning, Engineering & Environmental
Agency: Connecticut Airport Authority
Address: 334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 160, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
E-Mail: environmental@ctairports.org
Phone: (860) 254-5516

A formal public hearing as not been scheduled.  The sponsoring agency (CAA) will hold a public hearing on the draft evaluation if twenty-five persons, or if an association having not less than twenty-five persons, requests such a hearing within ten days of the publication of this notice in the Environmental Monitor, April 1, 2016.


 
 
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.

 


No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.



 
The Adobe Reader is necessary to view and print Adobe Acrobat documents, including some of the maps and illustrations that are linked to this publication. If you have an outdated version of Adobe Reader, it might cause pictures to display incompletely. To download up-to-date versions of the free software, click on the Get Acrobat button, below. This link will also provide information and instructions for downloading and installing the reader.

Button - Get Adobe Reader Download the free Acrobat Reader!
Access.Adobe is a tool that allows blind and visually impaired users to read any documents in Adobe PDF format.  For more information, read the product overview at Adobe.com.