Environmental Monitor
December 20, 2016
  1.   Middletown Boat House Redevelopment, Middletown
  1.   NEW! Meriden Commons Phase I and II, Meriden
  2.   NEW! Columbus Commons, New Britain
  3.   NEW! North Stonington Water Main Extension, North Stonington
Proposed Environmental Classification Document
  1.   Department of Housing Draft ECD
  1.   Off Airport Tree Obstruction Removal for Groton - New London Airport, Groton
  2.   NEW! Off Airport Tree Obstruction Removal for Hartford - Brainard Airport, Hartford
 
     No Proposed Land Transfer Has Been Submitted For Publication In This Edition
 
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on January 3, 2017.
 
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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 Notice has been submitted for review and comment.

1. Notice of Scoping for Middletown Boat House Redevelopment

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Middletown

Address of Possible Project Location: Harbor Drive, Middletown, CT 06457

Project Description: The City of Middletown is seeking state financial assistance for the Middletown Boat House Redevelopment project to be located on Harbor Drive in Middletown, CT. The proposed project consists of demolition of the existing boat house and new construction of an approximately 82,000 square foot community rowing facility with a 300 person event space overlooking the Connecticut River on a 2.56 acre site. The purpose of the project is to spur economic development and attract people to the riverfront. This project will also include relocation of approximately 800 linear feet of Harbor Drive between the railroad crossing and Eastern Drive and reconfiguration of parking spaces. The project also includes a new playground in Harbor Park, bank stabilization activities, dock replacement, concrete ramp upgrades, and landscape architecture for the site.

Project MapsClick here to view a location map of the project area. Click here to view a site plan.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: December 22, 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 December 2, 2016.

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

Name:

Christine Marques

Agency:

Department of Economic and Community Development

Address:

505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: Fax:

860-270-8050

860-760-5740

E-Mail:

Christine.Marques@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact Christine Marques at the address above.

 


 
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 Meriden Commons Phase I/II

Municipality where project will be located: Meriden

CEPA Determination:  On October 18, 2016 the Department of Housing (DOH) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor. During the scoping period, the DOH received comments from the Department of Public Health and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The DOH 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 a Memo of Findings and Determination and Environmental Assessment Checklist.

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

Name:

Helen Muniz

Agency:

Department of Housing

Address:

505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Phone:

860-270-8023

Fax:

860-706-5741

E-Mail:

helen.muniz@ct.gov


What happens next:
The DOH 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 Columbus Commons

Municipality where project will be located: New Britain

CEPA Determination:  On November 8, 2016 the Department of Housing (DOH) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental MonitorDuring the scoping period, the DOH received comments from the Department of Public Health and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The DOH 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 a Memo of Findings and Determination and Environmental Assessment Checklist.

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

Name:

Edward LaChance

Agency:

Department of Housing

Address:

505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Phone:

860-270-8099

Fax:

860-706-5741

E-Mail:

Edward.Lachance@ct.gov


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


3. Post-Scoping Notice for North Stonington Water Main Extension Phase III

Municipality where project will be located: North Stonington

CEPA Determination:  On March 8, 2016, the Department of Public Health (DPH) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.

Based on the DPH’s environmental assessment of this project which includes comments provided by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) dated April 7, 2016, and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) dated April 8, 2016, and subsequent correspondence from the Town of North Stonington dated May 10, 2016, the Commissioner of DPH dated September 8, 2016, and the Secretary of OPM dated October 24, 2016, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under CEPA.  The DPH will coordinate with the Town of North Stonington to ensure that the recommendations by the DEEP are implemented.

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

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

Name:

Mr. Eric McPhee

Agency:

Department of Public Health – Drinking Water Section

Address:

450 Capitol Avenue, MS #51WAT
P O Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308

Phone:

860-509-7333

Fax:

860-509-7359

E-Mail:

dph.sourceprotection@ct.gov


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


 
Proposed Environmental Classification Document

The following proposed Environmental Classification Document (ECD) is available for review and comment.

1. Department of Housing Draft Environmental Classification Document

The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is publishing its proposed agency-specific Environmental Classification Document (ECD) and making it available for public and agency review and comment. Click here to view the proposed DOH ECD.

Comments on this ECD will be accepted until January 27, 2017.

Send comments to:

Name:  Matthew Pafford, Environmental Analyst

Agency:  Office of Policy and Management

Address:  450 Capitol Avenue, MS# 54 ORG, Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1379

Email:  Matthew.Pafford@ct.gov


 

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 Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Notice of EIE for Off-Airport Tree Obstruction Removal at the Groton-New London Airport

Municipality where project is proposed:  Groton

Address of Possible Project Location: The airport office is located at 155 Tower Avenue, off of U.S. Route 1.

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 on, and surrounding the Groton-New London Airport. The evaluation addresses obstruction removals associated with Federally-defined airspace surfaces surrounding the airport needed for the continued safe operation of aircraft.   Objects that penetrate these surfaces are classified as obstructions, and should be removed to safely accommodate approaching and departing aircraft.

The project sponsoring agencies, the Connecticut Aviation Authority (CAA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have identified that trees penetrate the airspace at the Airport, including locations beyond the ends of each runway and the airport property boundary.  Per FAA and CAA 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 Maps:  Project maps can be found at the following locations:

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

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business onTuesday, January 24, 2017.

The public can view a copy of this EIE atThe Draft EA and EIE for this project are currently available for review at the following Libraries as well as at the website listed above:

Groton Public Library

52 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06340

Bill Memorial Library

240 Monument Street

Groton, CT 06340

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

DATEDecember 8, 2016

TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)

PLACE: City of Groton Council Chambers, 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT  06340

Comments of the study may be submitted via email at the website above, or by sending written comments to Colin Goegel at the address below.

NOTES: Free language assistance or sign interpretation may be requested by contacting Colin Goegel at the address below at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting. Efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance.

Send your comments or questions about this EIE via the project website or:

Name: Mr. Colin Goegel, Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Airport Authority
334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 160
Windsor Locks, CT  06096
Phone: E-Mail:
(860) 254-5628

2. Notice of EIE for the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) – Off-Airport Tree Obstruction Removal at the Hartford-Brainard Airport

Municipality where project is proposed: The Airport is located in the City of Hartford approximately 2 miles southeast of Downtown Hartford, CT.

Address of Possible Project Location: The airport office is located at 251 Maxim Road, just east of Interstate 91 and west of the Connecticut River.

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 on, as well as north, south, east and west of the Hartford-Brainard Airport. The evaluation addresses obstruction removals associated with Federally-defined airspace surfaces surrounding the airport needed for the continued safe operation of aircraft.  Objects that penetrate these surfaces are classified as obstructions, and should be removed to safely accommodate approaching and departing aircraft.

The project sponsoring agencies, the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have identified that trees penetrate the airspace at the Airport, including locations beyond the southern airport property boundary.  Per FAA and CAA 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 locations:

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

Comments on this EA/EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday, February 10, 2017.

A formal public hearing has not been scheduled.  The sponsoring agency (CAA) is holding a Public Informational Meeting on January 12, 2017 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, at the Wethersfield Town Hall (505 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT  06109). Comments on the study may be submitted via email at the website above, or by sending written comments to Colin Goegel at the address below. The sponsoring agency (CAA) shall hold a public hearing on the draft evaluation if twenty-five persons or an association having not less than twenty-five persons requests such a hearing by Friday, December 30, 2016.

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:  The Draft EA and EIE for this project are currently available for review at the website listed above and at the following locations:

Hartford Public Library

500 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103

Wethersfield Public Library

515 Silas Deane HWY

Wethersfield, CT 06109

East Hartford Public Library

840 Main Street

East Hartford, CT 06108

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name:           Mr. Colin Goegel, Senior Manager of Engineering

Agency:        Connecticut Airport Authority

Address:       334 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Suite 160

                     Windsor Locks, CT 06096

Phone:          (860) 254-5628

E-Mail:          cgoegel@ctairports.org


  
State Land Transfer Notices
 
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 Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


 
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