October 17, 2017
- Connecticut State Water Plan Final Draft Report: Notice of Request for Written Comments
- Replacement and Improvements for the East Avenue Railroad Bridge, Norwalk
- Route 7 and Route 15 Interchange Project, Norwalk
- Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan, Bridgeport
- University of Connecticut Athletic District Improvements, Mansfield
- REVISED! Derby Downtown Redevelopment Project, Derby
1. Connecticut State Water Plan Final Draft Report: Notice of Request for Written Comments
The State Water Planning Council (WPC) is soliciting and collecting public comments on the Connecticut State Water Plan Final Draft Report. A copy of the draft plan and associated resources can be found at www.ct.gov/water.
Members of the public may submit written comments on the plan. Comments must be filed no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2017.
Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. 22a-352(c), the (WPC) is required to provide a time period of not less than one hundred twenty days for public review and comment of the State Water Plan Draft Report prior to finalizing the State Water Plan Report and submitting it to the legislature. The WPC will fully consider all written and oral comments concerning the proposed state water plan and will make the electronic text of the finalized state water plan available on www.ct.gov/water, along with a report summarizing all public comments received, and (2) the changes made to the finalized state water plan in response to such comments and the reasons for such changes.
Written comments may be submitted electronically (recommended) or by mail.
To submit comments electronically, complete the web-based comment form at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CT_StateWaterPlan. This form provides the option to either (1) upload comments as a PDF or Word document (maximum size 16MB), or (2) input comments in a text box directly on the form.
To submit hard-copy comments by mail, send a letter to:
Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051
ATTN: State Water Plan Draft Report Comments
All comments submitted using the methods above will become part of the formal public record and posted to www.ct.gov/water for viewing.
Please report any technical issues you are experiencing with this website to the site administrator at wpc@ct.gov.
"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.
1. Notice of Scoping for the Replacement and Improvements of the East Avenue Bridge
Municipality where proposed project would be located: Norwalk, Connecticut
Address of Possible Project Location: Railroad Bridge over East Avenue
Project Description: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) proposes to improve the East Avenue Railroad Bridge, the Metro-North Railroad station, and a nearby retaining wall in East Norwalk. The proposed work includes the following elements:
- Replace the East Avenue Railroad Bridge (State Bridge No. 03691R) with a new bridge structure;
- Construct elevators/stair structures for access to the station platforms;
- Lengthen existing station platforms along both sides of the new East Avenue Railroad Bridge and railroad;
- Replace a deteriorated timber retaining wall (Wall 27) along the south side of the railroad right-of-way; and
- Construct a temporary access road to the construction site off of Strawberry Hill Avenue.
- Construct a resilient replacement bridge to address the state of disrepair and age of the existing bridge substructure and superstructure;
- Improve pedestrian accessibility, safety, and mobility at the East Norwalk Metro-North Railroad station and platforms, including compliance with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requirements; and
- Improve a deteriorated wall condition whereby the existing retaining wall cannot support current loading from commuter, inter-city passenger, and freight train movements.
| Name: | Mr. Kevin C. Fleming, Transportation Planner |
| Agency: | Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning |
| Address: | 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111 |
| E-Mail: | info@walkbridgect.com (please use subject heading "East Avenue Bridge" |
If you have questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
| Name: | Mr. John Hanifin, Project Manager, Facilities and Transit |
| Agency: | Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction |
| Address: | 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111 |
| Phone: | (860) 594-2899 |
| E-Mail: | info@walkbridgect.com (please use subject heading "East Avenue Bridge") |
2. Notice of Scoping for Route 7/15 Interchange Project
Municipality where proposed project might be located:Norwalk
Address of Possible Project Location: Merritt Parkway’s Main Avenue and Route 7 interchanges (No. 39 and No. 40)
Project Description: The project proposes interchange improvements and new connections to improve system linkage between Route 7 and the Merritt Parkway at Interchange No. 39; improve the mobility for all users at the Merritt Parkway’s Main Avenue and Route 7 interchanges (No. 39 and No. 40); and improve safety in the vicinity of these interchanges.
Project objectives include:
- long-term serviceability of the affected roadways within the project area
- maximization of public investment with the project
- integration of the project roadways with the environment and neighborhood context
- provision for reasonably foreseeable future pedestrian and bicycle access through the project area
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: November 16, 2017
There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:
DATE: October 17, 2017
TIME: Open House for individual discussions with Department officials in the City Hall Rotunda will begin at 4:00 pm followed by formal presentations in the City Hall Auditorium at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. The same presentation will be given at both sessions.
PLACE: Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT
NOTES: The meeting location is ADA accessible. If language assistance is needed please contact the Department of Transportation's Office of Communications at 860-594-3062 (voice only) at least five days prior to the meeting. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Additional information about the project can be viewed online at: http://www.7-15norwalk.com/
Written comments should be sent to
| Name: | Andy Fesenmeyer, PE, Project Manager |
| Agency: |
Department of Transportation |
| Address: | |
|
2800 Berlin Turnpike |
|
| Fax: | (860) 594-3373 |
| E-Mail: | andy.fesenmeyer@ct.gov |
If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
| Name: | Andy Fesenmeyer, PE, Project Manager |
| Agency: |
Department of Transportation |
| Address: | |
|
2800 Berlin Turnpike |
|
| E-Mail: | andy.fesenmeyer@ct.gov |
The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in Fall 2018
3. Notice of Scoping for the City of Bridgeport, Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan
Project Title: Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan
Municipality where proposed project might be located: Bridgeport
Project Location: Southern Bridgeport, bounded to the north by US Rte 1.
Project Description: Bridgeport is a combined sewer overflow (CSO) community, where both sanitary sewage and stormwater are carried in a single pipe. Approximately 28% of the municipality is served by combined sewers that are concentrated in the southern portion of Bridgeport; the oldest and most developed part of the city. During rainfall events of sufficient intensity and duration the capacity of the combined system is exceeded and may overflow. Built-in overflows were designed to prevent combined sewer flows from backing up into basements and surcharging onto streets.
The CSO Long Term Control Plan recommends a combination of solutions to be implemented in phases over a 30-year period that will prevent overflows for the 1 year, 24 hour duration design storm (2.47" rain). The solutions include sewer separation, "green" technologies, a CSO Storage tank and relief sewers. a re-evaluation of water quality and update to the plan will be conducted at 5-year intervals to determine the need for any modifications to the plan.
An EIE for the "Facility Plan 2000 Report" was noticed on August 5, 2009 and addressed water quality improvements around the central section of the Pequonnock River and Ash Creek. Project Phases 1-IV of the referenced LTCP have been completed pursuant to that report.
The remaining phases are the subject of this scoping notice. Improvements under these phases incude:
Phase V: Improvements for Black Harbor's water quality
Phase VI and VII: Water quality improvements on the upstream portion of the Pequonnock River
Phase VIII: Cedar Creek, Bridgeport Harbor, and the final Pequonnock River improvement following the re-evaluation.
An update to the Long Term Control Plan schedule dated August 14, 2013 redistributed the phases by tasks as follows:
Phases I and II: Completed. Design and Construction River Street Pump Station, Storm Water Pump Station, Congress Street Siphon Liner, and Lining and Sewer Separation Projects. This is attributed to the Pequonnock River improvements and the phase included a monitoring program.
Phase III: Design and Construct Ash Creek Storage Tank
Phase IV: Design and Construct SEAB Storage Tank
Phase V: Water quality monitoring program for Ash Creek and Black Rock Harbor
Phase VI: Design and Construct Pequonnock CSO Relief Sewer
Phase VII: Water Quality Monitoring Program and Update the Long Term Control Plan
Phase VIII: Design and Construct Stage I and Stage II Storage system and follow with water quality monitoring.
Project Map(s): Bridgeport Selected Layout and Sizing Plan
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: November 2, 2017.
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 13, 2017.
Additional information about the project can be viewed in person at Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford. Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse, Water Planning and Management Division, 2nd Floor.
Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:
| Name: | Catharine Chu |
| Agency: | Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Water Planning and Management Division, 2nd Floor | |
| Address: | 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106 |
| Phone: | 860-424-3342 |
| Fax: | 860-424-4067 |
| E-Mail: | Catharine.Chu@ct.gov |
If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
| Name: | Catharine Chu |
| Agency: | Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Water Planning and Management Division, 2nd Floor | |
| Address: | 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106 |
| Phone: | 860-424-3342 |
| Fax: | 860-424-4067 |
| E-Mail: | Catharine.Chu@ct.gov |
4. Notice of Scoping for University of Connecticut Athletic District Improvements
Municipality where proposed project might be located: Mansfield
Address of Possible Project Location: Jim Calhoun Way on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus, Mansfield, Connecticut
Project Description:
UConn proposes to construct improvements to the Athletic District in order to renovate and improve aging facilities consistent with NCAA Division I requirements. The 2015 Campus Master Plan identified a need for special use facilities and new athletic venues at the University. New stadium projects for soccer, baseball, softball, and throwing were identified as Master Plan priorities to be completed by 2020. The proposed improvements will provide special use facilities towards meeting the prioritized needs. Proposed improvements include:
- In-situ construction of a new competition soccer pitch and new seating;
- Construction of a new softball field surface and seating in or near its existing location;
- Relocation and construction of new baseball field and seating;
- Construction of a +/-54,000 square foot Performance Center including locker rooms, concessions, weight training, sports medicine, restrooms, and administrative offices for soccer, baseball, and softball;
- Construction of a sound barrier for the chillers at the Frietas Ice Forum;
- Minor improvements to the throwing area; and
- Relocation of practice soccer field and maintenance facility to present location of baseball field.
New construction associated with this project will incorporate best practices of sustainability with a minimum goal of LEED Gold certified.
Project Maps: Click here to view a map of the project area. Click here to view a conceptual map of the proposed Athletic District improvements.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: October 20, 2017
There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:
DATE: October 10, 2017
TIME: 7:00 p.m. (Doors will be open at 6:30 pm)
PLACE: Conference Room B of UConn's Facilities Operations & Building Services, 25 LeDoyt Road, Storrs, CT
Written comments should be sent to:
| Name: | Paul Ferri, Environmental Compliance Professional |
| Agency: | University of Connecticut, Office of Environmental Policy |
| Address: | 31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3055, Storrs, CT 06269-3055 |
| Fax: | (860) 486-5477 |
| E-Mail: | paul.ferri@uconn.edu |
If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
| Name: | Paul Ferri, Environmental Compliance Professional |
| Agency: | UConn Office of Environmental Policy |
1. Post-Scoping Notice for the Derby Downtown Redevelopment Project - Revised
Municipality where project will be located: City of Derby
CEPA Determination: On June 6, 2017, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor. During the scoping period, the DECD received comments from the Department of Public Health (Drinking Water Section) and (Environmental Health Section), the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of Policy and Management and two residents from the City of Derby.
The DECD 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 andEnvironmental Assessment Checklist. Please also find attached a letter to the Office of Policy and Management with responses to their queries.
If you have questions about the project, you can contact the agency at:
|
Name: |
Binu Chandy |
|
Agency: |
CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development |
|
Address: |
505 Hudson Street, Hartford CT 06106 |
|
Phone: |
860.270.8154 |
|
Fax: |
860.706.5740 |
|
E-Mail: |
binu.chandy@ct.gov |
What happens next: The DECD 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).
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