- Safety and Operational Improvements on I-84, West Hartford
- Northwest Science Quad, University of Connecticut, Mansfield
- Resiliant Bridgeport, Bridgeport
- NEW! Post-EIE Project Cancellation, Barnum Railroad Station Project, Bridgeport
"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. Post-Scoping Notice for Safety and Operational Improvements on I-84
Municipality where project will be located: West Hartford
CEPA Determination: On May 17, 2016 the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor. Comments were received from the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. No comments were received from the general public. CTDOT has taken the comments received into consideration and has concluded that the project does not require the preparation of Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA.
CTDOT'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:
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Name: |
Kevin Fleming |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning |
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Address: |
2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131 |
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Phone: |
860-594-2924 |
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E-Mail: |
Kevin.Fleming@ct.gov |
What happens next: CTDOT expects the project to move 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).
1. Notice of EIE for the University of Connecticut
Northwest Science Quadrangle
Municipality where project is proposed: Mansfield
Address of Possible Project Location(s): X-Lot, L-Lot, and Lot 9 and surrounding area south of King Hill Road on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus, Mansfield, Connecticut
Project Description:
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is proposing to begin construction of the Northwest Science Quad on an approximately 22-acre site located at the northwest corner of campus which includes the existing Lot 9, X-Lot, and L-Lot. The Northwest Science Quad is identified as part of the North Eagleville Science District in the University’s Campus Master Plan and is part of the capital project initiatives in support of Next Generation Connecticut to significantly expand educational opportunities, research, and innovation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines at UConn. The proposed project consists of the following:
- Science 1 Building – an ~193,600 gross square foot (GSF) STEM Research Center
- Supplemental utility plant (SUP)
- North Woodland Corridor walkway
- Improvements to King Hill Road and realignment of Hillside Road and Alumni Drive
- Stormwater management and other campus-wide utilities to service the Northwest Science Quad
- Extension of utility tunnel from existing Central Utility Plant (CUP) to the proposed SUP
- Surface parking (approximately 180 spaces)
Construction associated with the project will incorporate best practices of sustainability with a minimum goal for Science 1 of LEED Gold certification, with a goal of also being certified for the U.S. Green Building Council Sustainable SITES program.
The University has prepared an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) to further evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action, as well as other alternatives, including the No Action alternative.
Project Maps: Click here to view a map of the project area. Click here to view a conceptual map of the proposed Northwest Science Quad Improvements.
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: February 8, 2019
The public can view a copy of this EIE at:
- Mansfield Town Clerk’s Office, Audrey P Beck Municipal Building, 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT
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Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Road, Mansfield, CT
There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:
DATE: January 30, 2019
TIME: 7 p.m. (Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. to allow review of informational materials)
PLACE: Konover Auditorium at the Dodd Center, 405 Babbidge Road, Unit 1205
Storrs, CT 06269-1205. The closest public parking is in the South Garage, 2366 Jim Calhoun Way, Storrs, CT 06269. Adjacent to the UConn Bookstore.
NOTES:The event will be available via livestream. Details and link to livestream will be made available at http://updc.uconn.edu/blog as we get closer to the event.
Send your comments about this EIE to:
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Name:
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Sean Vasington, Associate Director
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Agency:
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UConn - Planning Design, and Construction
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Address:
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31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3038, Storrs, CT 06269
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E-Mail:
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Phone:
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860 486-5865
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If you have questions about the public hearing, or other questions about the EIE, contact Mr. Vasington as directed above.
2. Notice of EIE for Resilient Bridgeport: Rebuild By Design and National Disaster Resilience Projects
Municipality where project is proposed: Bridgeport
Address of Possible Project Location: South End of Bridgeport, CT
Project Description: The State of Connecticut’s Department of Housing (CTDOH) is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) disaster recover grant funding and is the “Responsible Entity,” as that term is defined by HUD regulations at 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 58.2(a)(7)(i). CTDOH has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for the proposed Resilient Bridgeport: National Disaster Resilience and Rebuild by Design projects (Proposed Action). The disaster recovery grants are under HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) National Disaster Resilience (NDR) and Rebuild by Design (RBD) programs as part of HUD’s response to the devastation following Superstorm Sandy. The Proposed Action consists of three projects located within the South End of Bridgeport, Connecticut—the RBD Pilot Project at the former Marina Village public housing site, a Flood Risk Reduction Project on the east side of the South End, and a Resilience Center—that together would provide stormwater management, dry evacuation routes (dry egress), a coastal flood defense system, and resiliency education to the community.
The Connecticut Environmental Policy Act establishes environmental policy for the State of Connecticut and requires an EIE for any state action that could affect the natural environment. In addition, the Proposed Action is considered a “major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment”; therefore, it must comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). As such, this EIE will jointly serve as an EIS and will meet NEPA requirements. CTDOH has prepared this Draft EIS/EIE in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and HUD’s Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities (24 CFR 58). Scoping for the Draft EIS / EIE formally began on February 27, 2018 when the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS was published in the Connecticut Environmental Monitor, which commenced a 30-day comment period to solicit public and agency input that lasted through March 28, 2018 and included a public scoping hearing on March 14, 2018.
The study area is situated within the South End neighborhood of the City of Bridgeport (see linked Figures 1 and 2), a peninsula of the Connecticut coastal region located between Cedar Creek, the Long Island Sound, and Bridgeport Harbor. Overall, the study area is a cross section of the residential, institutional, utility, and recreational uses that define the South End neighborhood, all of which are susceptible to acute and chronic flooding conditions due to a combination of inadequate stormwater infrastructure in the area and its coastal location.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to create a more resilient South End community, support its long-term viability, and improve health and safety for the community’s vulnerable populations. The principal targeted outcomes follow:
- Lower the risk of acute and chronic flooding.
- Provide dry egress during emergencies.
- Educate the public about flood risks and sea level rise.
The Proposed Action will deliver additional benefits to the community, potentially unlocking development or public realm opportunities, enhancing connectivity between the South End and downtown Bridgeport (located north of the railroad and I-95), improving existing open space amenities, building up the resilience of local energy systems, and leveraging public investment in ongoing resiliency efforts through coordination with local stakeholders.
Project Maps:
Figure 2 – Project Location Map
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: February 22, 2019.
It should be noted that due to the ongoing Federal government shutdown, the required NEPA Notice of Availability for this DEIS cannot be published in the Federal Register concurrently with this Connecticut Environmental Monitor notice. Pursuant to NEPA, a required 45-day public comment period would commence upon the Notice of Availability’s publishing in the Federal Register. As such, it is anticipated that the NEPA public comment period for the DEIS would extend beyond the CEPA deadline of February 22, 2019, the exact length of which is dependent upon the ability to publish in the Federal Register. This does not change the anticipated public hearing date of February 12, 2019. The DEIS would still be available for public review at the physical and digital locations provided above during that time.
The public can view a copy of this EIE at:
Bridgeport City Hall
45 Lyon Terrace
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7081
Bridgeport Public Library Main Branch
925 Broad Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7400
Bridgeport Public Library Black Rock Branch
2705 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 576-7025
University of Bridgeport Magnus Wahlstrom Library
126 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-2388
Project Document Website at the Connecticut Department of Housing:
https://www.ct.gov/doh/cwp/view.asp?a=4513&q=588726
Project Documents Direct Links:
DEIS / EIE Document Appendices
There will be a public informational workshop (not a public hearing) for this EIE on:
DATE: February 12, 2019
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Schelfhaudt Gallery (84 Iranistan Avenue, Bridgeport, CT)
NOTES: The workshop will provide an opportunity for the public to submit comments on the DEIS in writing. Those who do not wish to provide comments at the workshop can submit comments through the project website, email or by mail to CTDOH (see below).
A public hearing on the DEIS will be scheduled at a later date, after the Federal Government shutdown has ended. Public notice of the public hearing will be provided.
Additional information about this project can be found online at:
https://www.ct.gov/doh/cwp/view.asp?a=4513&q=588726 and www.resilientbridgeport.com
Send your comments about this EIE to:
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Name: |
Rebecca French, Director of Resilience |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Department of Housing |
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Address: |
505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106 |
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E-Mail: |
Rebecca.French@ct.gov |
If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact:
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Name: |
Rebecca French, Director of Resilience |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Department of Housing |
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Address: |
505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106 |
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E-Mail: |
Rebecca.French@ct.gov |
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Phone: |
860-270-8231 |
Other information: N/A
3. Post-EIE Notice of Cancellation of Commuter Railroad Station Project - Barnum Avenue
Municipality where project was proposed: Bridgeport
Project History: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) originally proposed to construct a new commuter railroad station along the New Haven Line of Metro North Railroad in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The station was proposed to be located on Barnum Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Pembroke Street. An Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) was published and subsequently noticed in the Environmental Monitor on January 3, 2017. A public hearing for the EIE was conducted on February 7, 2017.
CTDOT has since determined that it is not in a financial position to undertake the project as proposed in the EIE, and has decided to defer the project in CTDOT's Capital Plan 2019-2023. If CTDOT initiates the project in the future, an updated environmental analysis and public scoping process will take place at that time, as appropriate. CTDOT's decision, as stated above, can be found in the Memo of Findings and Determination.Any questions can be directed to:
| Name: | Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner II |
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Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning
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| Address: | 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131 |
| E-Mail: | Kevin.Fleming@ct.gov |
| Phone: | (860) 594-2924 |
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