July 5, 2022
- Notice of Scoping for Safety Improvements on Route 82 (Phase 1), Norwich.
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Norwalk First Taxing District - Grupes Dam Rehabilitation, Norwalk/New Canaan.
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
- Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Interchange Improvements to I-91, I-691, and Route 15, Meriden and Middletown.
- Post-Scoping Notice for Cromwell Emergency Interconnections, Cromwell, Middletown, Berlin, and Rocky Hill.
- Post-Scoping Notice for Bergstrom Wellfield and Treatment Plant, Bethel.
Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)
No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
- Record of Decision for Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan, Bridgeport.
- NEW! Record of Decision for Mirror Lake Improvements Project, University of Connecticut, Mansfield.
No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on July 19, 2022.
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Inquiries and requests to view or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency.
Scoping Notice
"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. Read More
1. Notice of Scoping for Safety Improvements on Route 82 (Phase 1)
Address of possible location: The project is located on Route 82 (West Main Street) and runs, approximately, from Banas Court (mile point 27.23) to Fairmount Street (mile point 28.13).
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Norwich
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to improve safety on Route 82 between I-395 and the Thames River by reducing the number and severity of crashes within the site limits. This area of Route 82, nearly 1.5 miles long and known locally as "crash alley", experiences a higher than average crash rate, a total of approximately 100 crashes and 35 injuries per year over the last 5-year period. Given the size of the corridor and the complexity of various aspects of design, the project has been split into two phases. This scoping notice and associated CEPA scoping meeting are for Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2 is to be addressed at a future date and will go through CEPA scoping at that time if warranted.
Phase 1 addresses the area between Banas Court and Fairmount Street. The existing roadway is four lanes undivided with sidewalks and narrow shoulders. There are four signalized intersections within this section of Route 82 located at: Dunham Street, Osgood Street, Mount Pleasant Street, and Asylum Street/Mechanic Street. The current proposal involves the removal of a signal and the installation of a single-lane roundabout at: Osgood Street, Mount Pleasant Street, and Asylum Street/Mechanic Street. In addition, a raised median and "road diet" from Durham Street to Asylum/Mechanic Street is being proposed. The "road diet" will reduce Route 82 from four lanes down to two lanes. The edge of the road will be maintained; the median width will will vary as needed; and the roadway cross-section will include: 11-ft travel lanes, 2-ft left shoulders, 5-ft right shoulders, 4-ft snow shelves, and 5-ft sidewalks. At the Durham Street intersection, U-turn capability will be provided for Route 82 westbound traffic to access driveways on the south side of Route 82, until construction of the roundabout at Durham Street is completed with Phase 2.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Phase 1 will require five total property acquisitions on West Main Street. Approximately 44 additional properties will be impacted along the corridor and require either a partial acquisition and/or slope easement.
Project Maps: Click here to view maps of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday July 8, 2022.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: Thursday June 23, 2022
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Kelly Magnet Middle School, 25 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT 06360
NOTES: Additional information about the meeting can be found at the project webpage: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTNorwich103-274. A Question and Answer session will immediately follow the presentation.
The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance may be requested by contacting CTDOT's Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Comments, questions about the public meeting, or questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):
Name: Mr. Scott Bushee, Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOTProject103-274@ct.gov
Phone: In addition to written comments individuals may also leave a voicemail question or comment during scoping period by calling (860) 944-1111. Please reference Project 103-274 in your voicemail.
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
What Happens Next: CTDOT will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
2. Notice of Scoping for Norwalk First Taxing District - Grupes Dam Rehabilitation
Addresses of possible locations: On Silvermine River, off Valley Road and Deep Valley Road in New Canaan
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Norwalk/New Canaan
Project Description:
Grupes Reservoir Dam impoundment serves as drinking supply water for the First Taxing District Water Department of Norwalk, Connecticut. Grupes Reservoir is the fourth of four reservoirs operated by the District along Silvermine River. Grupes Reservoir Dam was originally constructed in 1871 to impound the Grupes Reservoir as a drinking water supply for the City of Norwalk. Grupes Reservoir Dam is classified by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) dam safety regulations (RCSA 22a‐409) as a Class C, or "high hazard" dam, meaning that if the dam were to fail, it could result in probable loss of life, major damage to habitable structures and residences, damage to critical utilities and infrastructure, and great economic loss. As a Class C dam, a safety inspection of Grupes Reservoir Dam is performed by a Dam Safety Engineering consultant every 2 years. The information obtained from the inspections and studies generates recommendations for both short‐term and long‐term work necessary to maintain public safety and structural integrity as well as increase operational efficiency and District employee safety.
Potential work includes, but is not limited to:
- Raise the top of dam by 4 feet to elevation 306.0 with a cast‐in‐place concrete cap, and re‐grade at dam abutments to mitigate overtopping during the spillway design flood (spillway to remain at current elevation);
- Construct earthen embankment along east side of Grupes Reservoir and re‐grade existing high ground and access road to mitigate overtopping/flooding during the spillway design flood (spillway to remain at current elevation);
- Construct parapet / retaining walls along east side of Grupes Reservoir to mitigate overtopping/flooding during the spillway design flood;
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: August 5, 2022.
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping 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: July 15, 2022.
Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:
Name: Mr. Eric McPhee
Agency: Department of Public Health – Drinking Water Section
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS, PO Box 340308, Hartford,
CT 06134-0308
E-Mail: Dph.sourceprotection@ct.gov
If you have questions about a public meeting or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
Name: Mr. Eric McPhee
Agency: Department of Public Health – Drinking Water Section
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS, PO Box 340308, Hartford,
CT 06134-0308
E-Mail: eric.mcphee@ct.gov
Phone: 860-509-7333
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency:
Name: Mr. John Tyler Castellanete
Agency: Department of Public Health, Hearing Office
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-Mail: DPH.foi@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-5682
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
If an agency is unable to publish a Post-Scoping Notice within six months after the comment period for scoping, the agency will publish an update with an action status and an estimate as to when a Post-Scoping Notice will be published. Such an update will be published by the agency at six-month intervals until the Post-Scoping Notice is published. Read More
1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Interchange Improvements to I-91, I-691, and Route 15
Municipalities where proposed action would be located: Meriden and Middletown
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On September 22, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for State project numbers 79-240, 79-245, and 79-246 in the Environmental Monitor. A virtual CEPA scoping meeting was held on October 8, 2020. On January 4, 2022 CTDOT published a Notice of Time Extension for a Post-Scoping Notice since further analysis was needed prior to making a final CEPA determination. CTDOT has not yet obtained the proper level of information required to make a final CEPA determination, therefore an additional extension is required.
Action Status: CTDOT is awaiting the results of a noise study prior to publishing a Post-Scoping Notice. Additionally, a virtual public informational meeting is scheduled for July 7, 2022. Information about the meeting and instructions on how to attend can be found here.
Estimated Publication Date: The CTDOT estimates that a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before December 20, 2022.
If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:
Name: Mr. Sebastian Cannamela, P.E., Transportation Principal Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-2698
E-Mail: Sebastian.Cannamela@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The CTDOT will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the CEPA. A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
Post-Scoping Notice
A Post-Scoping Notice is the determination by a sponsoring agency, after publication of a Scoping Notice and consideration of comments received, whether an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) needs to be prepared for a proposed State action. Read More
1. Post-Scoping Notice for Cromwell Emergency Interconnections, Cromwell, Middletown, Berlin, and Rocky Hill
Municipalities where project will be located: Cromwell, Middletown, Berlin, and Rocky Hill
Addresses of Possible Project Locations: 1360 Newfield Street, Middletown, 1250 CT-217, Middletown, 1198 Middle Street, Middletown, 1398 Shunpike Road, Rocky Hill
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On March 22, 2022, 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 a review of comments provided by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) dated April 14, 2022, 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 water utility to ensure that the recommendations received during the Scoping period are implemented.
The agency's conclusion is documented in a Memorandum ofFindings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.
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: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 12DWS, PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: DPH.SourceProtection@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency:
Name: Mr. John Tyler Castellanete
Agency: Department of Public Health—Drinking Water Section
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 13CMN
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: DPH.FOI@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-5682
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.
2. Post-Scoping Notice for Bergstrom Wellfield and Treatment Plant
Municipality where project will be located: Bethel
Address of Possible Project Location: 49 Plumtrees Road, Bethel CT 06801
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On March 22, 2022, 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 a review of comments provided by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) dated April 14, 2022, 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 water utility to ensure that the recommendations received during the Scoping period are implemented.
The agency's conclusion is documented in a Memorandum of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.
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: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 12DWS, PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: DPH.SourceProtection@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency:
Name: Mr. John Tyler Castellanete
Agency: Department of Public Health—Hearing Office
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 13PHO, PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: DPH.foi@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-5682
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.
EIE Notice
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). Read More
Agency Record of Decision
After an ;Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed, an agency will prepare a concise public record of decision, which takes into consideration the agency’s findings in the EIE, and any comments received on that evaluation. Read More
1. Record of Decision for Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan
Addresses of Possible Project Locations: Various locations along Ox Brook in the city of Bridgeport, extending from Elton Rogers Park at the north end to Lincoln Boulevard at the south end of the Project.
Municipality where proposed action is to be located: Bridgeport
Project Description: The Ox Brook corridor in the city of Bridgeport has been subject to repeated flooding over a period of decades and the area has been studied since the 1970s. Flooding along Ox Brook has resulted in repeated damages to residential properties and commercial and industrial businesses, infrastructure damages, roadway and sidewalk closures and detours, emergency response needs, and health hazards for residents, among other impacts.
The Proposed Action is the implementation of the Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan, a six‐phase project, to alleviate chronic flooding along the Ox Brook corridor. Phase 1 of the project is currently funded by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which is the Sponsoring Agency for the Project.
The project is located generally along Ox Brook in the city of Bridgeport, CT, roughly extending from Elton Rogers Park at the north (upstream) end (off Kaechele Place) to Lincoln Boulevard at the south (downstream) end (between Lincoln Ave. and Garfield Ave.). Phase 1 of the Project has progressed through permitting level design with permit applications submitted, while the remaining Phases (Phases 2‐6) are at the preliminary design phase. The overall Project is anticipated to take decades to complete and funding has only been identified for Phase 1 at this time. The six phases are as follows:
• Phase 1: Dam rehabilitation and detention area construction at Elton Rogers Park;
• Phase 2: Construction of a diversion to the Svihra Park area and detention area construction;
• Phase 3: Channel and crossing improvements from Lincoln Boulevard to Quince Street;
• Phase 4: Channel and crossing improvements from Rocton Avenue to Burnsford Avenue;
• Phase 5: Channel and crossing improvements from Burnsford Avenue to Lourmel Street; and
• Phase 6: Construction of the Island Brook diversion to the Elton Rogers detention area, additional excavation within the Elton Rogers Park impoundment area to increase stormwater detention storage, and connection of a new discharge from the dam to Lourmel Street.
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On February 22, 2022, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Notice of Availability of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE), in accordance with Section 22a-1d of CEPA, in the Environmental Monitor.
DEEP held a virtual public hearing on March 29, 2022.
Comments were received from the general public and from the Council of Environmental Quality and the State Historic Preservation Office. DEEP has prepared responses to the substantive issues raised in the comments on the EIE and on supplemental materials or amendments. DEEP's conclusion is documented in the Record of Decision for the proposed action.
Agency contact:
Name: Frederick Riese
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106
Phone: 860-424-4110
E-Mail: Frederick.Riese@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency.
What happens next: DEEP has submitted the Record of Decision to the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for review. OPM's determination regarding the Record of Decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
2. Record of Decision for Mirror Lake Improvements Project, University of Connecticut
Project Location: Mansfield Road & Route 195
Municipality: Mansfield
Project Description:
Mirror Lake has been a beloved and historic campus landmark since 1922. After multiple decades of deferred maintenance; accumulating silt, sediment and pollutants; significant campus development within its watershed over the same period of time resulting in an undersized stormwater facility; and, a damaged spillway and a dam that recently received an elevated hazard classification, various improvements to Mirror Lake are now essential. Numerous studies recently completed for Mirror Lake – an unimplemented dredging plan in 2012, a campus master plan and water quality assessment in 2015, a campus drainage master plan in 2018, a dam inspection report in 2020, and a feasibility study in 2021 – each concluded with recommendations for the University to take action.
This project will design and construct improvements that were identified in the feasibility study and satisfy requirements of the campus drainage master plan in order to execute an MOU between UConn and DEEP and a master flood management certificate (FMC) for the Roberts Brook watershed. The proposed project consists of the following elements:
- Dam safety improvements, including replacing the existing spillway with a stepped spillway and raising the dam’s earthen embankment
- Stormwater management improvements, including the rerouting of several discharge points into sedimentation forebays and regrading of upstream and downstream slopes
- Dredging and improvements to aquatic ecosystems, including the use of hydraulic and mechanical dredging to remove accumulated sediments and restore the lake depth
- Landscape improvements, including littoral zone plantings and site-specific amenities that enhance cultural benefits and improve access to the water’s edge
The University has prepared responses to the substantive issues raised in the comments on the EIE and on supplemental materials or amendments. The University's conclusion is documented in the Record of Decisionfor the proposed action.
Agency contact:
Name: Ian Dann, Project Manager
Agency: University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction
Address: 3 Discovery Drive U-6038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-6038
Phone: (860) 486-6503
E-Mail: ian.dann@uconn.edu
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted at https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request.
What happens next: The University has submitted the Record of Decision to the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for review. OPM's determination regarding the Record of Decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
OPM's Determination of Adequacy
After an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed. the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will determine if the EIE is adequate. If not, OPM will specify the areas of inadequacy with reference to CEPA or the CEPA regulations and specify the corrective action required. Read More
State Land Transfer Notice
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.
CEPA Project Inventory
The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) maintains a list of projects they have entered the CEPA process. It shows each project's status. The inventory can be found here.
All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: paul.aresta@ct.gov.
