Environmental Monitor

January 3, 2017

 
     No Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
                            
  1.   Meriden Commons Phase I and II, Meriden 
  2.   Columbus Commons, New Britain
  3.   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.   Off Airport Tree Obstruction Removal for Hartford - Brainard Airport, Hartford
  3.   NEW! Barnum Train Station, Bridgeport
 
     No proposed land transfer has been submitted for publication in this edition.
 
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on January 17, 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.

 


No Scoping Notice has been submitted for review and comment.


 
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


3. Notice of EIE for New Commuter Railroad Station - Barnum Avenue

Municipality where project is proposed: Bridgeport

Address of Possible Project Location: Barnum Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Pembroke Street

Project Description: The proposed project consists of constructing a new commuter rail station on the New Haven Line of Metro North Railroad.  The proposed project will include a new station, two center-island platforms to provide the flexibility to serve both local and express trains, reconstructing track to accommodate these platforms, cross track pedestrian access to the platforms, widening of the retained railroad embankment, catenary structure relocation, a surface parking lot, sidewalks, landscaping, and bicycle and pedestrian amenities as appropriate. The proposed project site is currently vacant, and was previously occupied by structures associated with the Remington Arms Facility. The proposed station would require expanding the railroad right-of-way (ROW) to accommodate the passenger platforms and would require permanently closing or relocating Crescent Avenue between Hallett Street and Waterview Avenue, and potentially to Seaview Avenue.  The vacant site north of the ROW would serve as the surface parking lot.   It is also possible that some type of small facility may be constructed to serve multiple purposes including a waiting area for passengers.  It is proposed that vehicles would access the station from Barnum avenue; pedestrian and cyclists access routes to the station will consider ease of access, surrounding land use, and future development in the vicinity. 

Currently, East Bridgeport suffers from a lack of convenient rail service, needed to sustain existing businesses and meet the areas future transportation demands.  Due in large part to planning and financing efforts of the City of Bridgeport, significant development projects are underway or planned in East Bridgeport.  The proposed station will support this growth.

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

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: Tuesday February 21, 2017

The public can view a copy of this EIE at: The Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau of Policy and Planning (Room 2155), 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT; Bridgeport City Hall, City Clerk Office, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT; and each of the following City of Bridgeport Public Library branches: Black Rock Branch, Newfield Branch, Old Mill Green Branch, Burroughs-Saden Branch, and North Branch.

The EIE is available electronically by clicking here.

It is also available online at: www.ct.gov/environmentaldocuments  or on the project website at www.barnumstation.com       

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:

DATE: Tuesday February 7, 2017 (Inclement weather date: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 same time and place) 

TIME: Open Forum at 6:00 p.m. and Formal Presentation at 6:30 p.m.

PLACE: Great Oaks Charter School, 1st Floor Cafeteria, 510 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608

NOTES: The hearing location is accessible to persons with disabilities.  Deaf, hearing impaired persons, and those with Limited English Proficiency wishing to attend this hearing and requiring an interpreter must make arrangements by contacting the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications at 860-594-3062 (voice only) at least five working days prior to the hearing.

Additional information about this project can be found online at: www.barnumstation.com

Send your comments about this EIE to:

 Mr. Mark W. Alexander,
Transportation Assistant Planning Director
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Policy and Planning
2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov

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

Mr. Keith A. Hall, Project Manager
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Keith.A.Hall@ct.gov
Phone: 860-594-3301

  
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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