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May 7, 2024

Scoping Notice

  1. Notice of Scoping for Middlebury Commons Interconnection with Connecticut Water Company Naugatuck Region - Central System, Middlebury.
  2. Revised Notice of Scoping for Removal of Traffic Signals on Route 9, Middletown. (Additional Information)
  3. NEW! Notice of Scoping for 10 Liberty Street, New Haven.

Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)

  1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for The Camelot Flats and Lofts, West Hartford.

Post-Scoping Notice

  1. Post-Scoping Notice for 85 Tremont Street, Meriden.
  2. NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Nathan Hale System Main Extension to Plains Road, Coventry.
  3. NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for New School of Nursing Building at the University of Connecticut, Mansfield.
  4. NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Return to the Riverbend, Middletown.
  5. NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for MLK Tyler, New Haven.

Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)

   No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

Agency Record of Decision

   No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

OPM Determination of Adequacy

   No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

State Land Transfer

   No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

 

The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on May 21, 2024.

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Notices in the Environmental Monitor are written and formatted by the sponsoring agencies and are published unedited. Questions about the content of any notice should be directed to the sponsoring agency.

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


The following Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.


1. Notice of Scoping for Middlebury Commons Interconnection with Connecticut Water Company Naugatuck Region - Central System

Address of possible location: Nutmeg Road into Middlebury Commons Condominium Complex

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Middlebury

Project Description: The work to be performed under this project includes abandoning the drinking water wells at Middlebury Commons and consolidating their small public water system with Connecticut Water Company's Naugatuck Region - Central System. The current infrastructure that provides water to Middlebury Commons is aged and lacks redundancy that is causing increasing risk of extended periods without potable water to residents of the condominium community. The project would require installing approximately 460 feet of 6” water main (8” if a fire hydrant is needed) from Connecticut Water Company's existing water main on Nutmeg Road, providing an easement to Connecticut Water Company, connecting each building to the water main, and abandoning the existing drinking water wells.

Project MapClick 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: May 16, 2024.

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: April 26, 2024.

 

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to:

Name: 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:

Agency: Department of Public Health, Hearing Office

Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO Hartford, CT 06134-0308

E-Mail: DPH.foi@ct.gov

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.


2. Notice of Scoping for Removal of Traffic Signals on Route 9 and Associated Improvements

Address of possible location: Route 9 between log miles 22.9 and 25.4. At the southern limit, the proposed project begins near the Eastern Drive interchange (Exit 22) and extends to the north and terminates near the Route 99 interchange (Exit 25).  

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Middletown, Connecticut

Project Description: Route 9 is a major north/south route connecting Old Saybrook and West Hartford. Through the downtown Middletown area, it is flanked by the Connecticut River to the east and an active Providence and Worcester Railroad line to the west.  

The purpose of the project is to improve safety and reduce congestion. The presence of two traffic signals on Route 9 leads to crash rates substantially higher than adjacent segments of freeway. To remove the traffic signal on Route 9 at the Washington Street interchange (Exit 23C), a new off-ramp from Route 9 Northbound is proposed to provide access to River Road, approximately 3,500 feet south of Washington Street. Access to Washington Street is proposed to be removed from Route 9. The interchange will encompass the existing Providence and Worcester rail line and will provide access to Route 9 Southbound. An acceleration lane to Route 9 Southbound will provide access from Washington Street prior to Route 17 (Exit 23A). The existing access from Route 9 Southbound to Washington Street will be removed and motorists will be directed towards the previous exit for access to Route 66.

The traffic signal on Route 9 at the Route 17 interchange onto Hartford Avenue (Exit 24) will be removed by elevating the southbound direction of Route 9. The grade separation will allow for free flow acceleration from Hartford Avenue to Route 9 Northbound, crossing under Route 9 Southbound. This acceleration lane will be constructed in the existing median of Route 9 and will serve as an additional through lane for Route 9 Northbound until Exit 25 for Route 99 in Cromwell. The existing access to Hartford Avenue from Route 9 Northbound will be relocated south. Access to and from Hartford Avenue from Route 9 Southbound will be maintained with full length deceleration and acceleration lanes. 

A 200-foot right turn lane is proposed on Rapallo Avenue at Main Street. The additional lane requires approximately five feet of widening within the street right of way. This requires the removal of seven parking spaces, with sidewalks maintained on both sides of the road.  

Project MapClick here to view a map of the project area.  Project Plans: Click here to view project conceptual plans. 

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Thursday, May 16, 2024.

There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:

DATETuesday April 30, 2024

TIME5:00 p.m. Open House, 7:00 p.m. formal presentation

PLACEWesleyan University - Beckham Hall - 45 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459

NOTES: The meeting location is ADA accessible.  Language assistance, including American Sign Language, 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. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). 

 

Closed captioning and non-English translation options will be available for the presentation posted on CTDOT's YouTube Virtual Public Information Meeting playlist: https://portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.

Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them by contacting Stephen Hall, Project Manager, at Stephen.Hall@ct.gov or 860-594-2591.    

 

Additional information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Projects/0082-0318-Route9-Middletown-Home.

A previous alternative for the project was scoped in the Enviornmental Monitor on March 6, 2018, and a public scoping meeting was held on March 22, 2018. The design proposed at that time was met unfavorably by the public as there would be substantial impacts to the adjacent neighborhood, therefore, that alternative was removed from consideration and CTDOT issued a post scoping notice on April 5, 2022, to reflect this and close out the CEPA scoping process under the previous project scope. Since this time, CTDOT performed a detailed traffic analysis and has met with the city several times to develop the alternative under the current public scoping notice. Furthermore, CTDOT held public workshops on February 21, 2024, and February 22, 2024, to engage the public prior to the formal CEPA scoping process. Feedback from the public workshops was positive overall.

Comments/ questions about the public meeting, or comments/ questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):

Name: Mr. Stephen Hall, Project Manager

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: DOT.Rte9Middletown@ct.gov

Phone: 860-594-2591 

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: 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.


3. Notice of Scoping for 10 Liberty Street

Address of possible location: 10-30 Liberty Street/45 Spring Street, New Haven, CT 06519

Municipality where proposed action might be located: New Haven

Project Description: The project consists of the demolition of five vacant, conjoined and dilapidated industrial buildings totaling approximately 60,000 SF, and the construction of a five-story 150-unit affordable apartment building. Walkable to employment opportunities in the City of New Haven’s expanding Medical/Bioscience District and multi-modal transportation connectivity to the City’s bike path network, local and regional bus and shuttle routes, interstate highways (I95 and I91), and the Union Station Transportation Hub offering Amtrak, MetroNorth, and local and regional bus services. The project will contain a range of units, including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and amenity space, including lobby, co-working, mail/package, fitness, trash/recycling, and indoor bike storage. All of the units will qualify as affordable housing. The square footage of the building will be approximately 150,000 sf. There will be 136 at-grade parking spaces and bike storage for at least 45 bikes. The first floor of the building will include a lobby and amenity spaces, including a coworking space and a gym as well as package, utility, trash/recycling rooms and indoor bike storage for 30 bikes. The façade design of the building, including its windows and site signage, is inspired by the Site’s industrial history, while respecting its context, as the Site is bounded by both commercial and residential uses.
 
Sitework includes a new stormwater retention system that involves the installation of four new bioswales; construction of new curbs and sidewalks along Spring, Liberty, and Putnam Streets, installation of 24 new street trees; and new lighting. Sustainable measures for the building include, in addition to the bioswales, an electric HVAC system, EV ready parking, and solar panels. Site Plan approval was granted by the New Haven City Plan Commission. Additionally, the Office of State Traffic Administration (“OSTA”) issued an Administrative Decision letter confirming that the traffic that will be generated by the Project will not require any improvements to adjacent roadways. In addition, environmental remediation was undertaken by the current property owner in accordance with the Connecticut Transfer Act, which remediation permits residential development.  A No Audit Letter was received from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) in December 2021, completing the property’s obligations under the Transfer Act. In connection with the Project, the city was recently awarded a $995,600 Brownfields grant from the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development (“DECD”) to abate and demolish the buildings currently located on the Site, which work the Applicant will undertake.
 
Project MapClick 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: June 7, 2024. 

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: May 17, 2024.

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to

Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing

Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing

Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@ct.gov

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


The following notice for additional time has been submitted for publication in this edition.


1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for The Camelot Flats and Lofts

Address of Possible Project Location: 900 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut

Municipality where proposed action would be located: West Hartford

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On August 8, 2023, the Department of Housing published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this action in the Environmental Monitor. The DOH is unable to publish its determination regarding this action at this time.

Action Status: Evaluating comments. 

Estimated Publication Date: The DOH estimates that a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before June 10, 2024. 

If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:

Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing 

Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

Phone: 860-270-8230 

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@ct.gov

What Happens Next: The DOH 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


The following Post Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.


 1. Post-Scoping Notice for 85 Tremont Street

Address of Possible Project Location: 85 Tremont Street, Meriden, CT 06450

Municipality where it would be located: Meriden

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On August 22nd, 2023, the Department of Housing published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed adaptive reuse in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments were received during the public comment period. The DOH's responses to the comments received are here.
 
After consideration of the comments received, the DOH has determined: the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under the CEPA. The agency’s conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.

Agency contact:

Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Agency: 
Department of Housing
Address:
 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

Phone: 860-270-8230 
E-Mail:
 mithila.chakraborty@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: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Agency: 
Department of Housing
Address:
 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

Phone: 860-270-8230 
E-Mail:
 mithila.chakraborty@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 Nathan Hale System Main Extension to Plains Road

Addresses of Possible Project Location: South Street Extension, Coventry from approximately the intersection of Upton Drive to Plains Road. The routing of the water main proposes to run adjacent to the South Street Extension Right of Way (ROW) immediately east of the Nathan Hale Subdivision due to the wetland complex within the ROW.

Municipality where it would be located: Coventry

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On January 16, 2024, the Department of Public Health (DPH) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed project in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments were received from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on February 15, 2024, and the Office of Policy and Management on February 16, 2024, (collectively Agency Comments) during the comment period. The Town of Coventry provided Response to Agency Comments on February 23, 2024. DPH has reviewed the Agency Comments and the Town of Coventry’s responses (Town Responses). DPH’s assessment of Agency Comments and Town Responses are included in the Environmental Review Checklist.

 
After consideration of the comments received, DPH has determined: the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under the CEPA. The agency’s conclusion is documented in a DPH Memorandum of Findings and an Environmental Review Checklist.

 

Agency 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

Phone: 860-509-7333

E-Mail: eric.mcphee@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:

Agency: Department of Public Health, Hearing Office
Address: 
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO, Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone:
 860-566-5682
E-Mail:
 DPH.foi@ct.gov

What Happens Next: DPH expects the project to go forward. This is anticipated to be the final notice of the project to be published in the Environmental Monitor.


3. Post-Scoping Notice for New School of Nursing Building at the University of Connecticut

Address of Possible Project Location: Alethia Drive & Bolton Road

Municipality where it would be located: Mansfield

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On August 8, 2023, the University of Connecticut (UConn) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this action in the Environmental Monitor. A public scoping meeting was held on August 30, 2023, and comments were received during the meeting and the public comment period that concluded on September 8, 2023. On March 5, 2024, UConn published a Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping.

After consideration of the comments received, UConn has determined the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under the CEPA.  UConn's conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist which includes responses to comments received.

Agency contact:
Name: 
Antoaneta Fedeles, AIA, PMP, LEED AP
Agency: 
University Planning, Design and Construction
Address: 
3 Discovery Drive, U-6038, Storrs, CT 06269-6038
E-Mail: 
antoaneta.fedeles@uconn.edu

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to:  https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/

What Happens Next: 
UConn anticipates the project will move forward and this is expected to be its final notice published in the Environmental Monitor.


4. Post-Scoping Notice for Return to the Riverbend

Addresses of possible locations: 22 River Road, 44 River Road, 110 River Road, and 225 River Road

Municipality where proposed action might be located: City of Middletown

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On October 3, 2023, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed Return to the Riverbend project in the Environmental Monitor.

No public scoping meeting was held.

Comments were received from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) during the public comment period.  No other comments were received from the public.  The DECD’s responses to the comments received are in the Environmental Review Checklist.

After consideration of the comments received, the DECD has determined the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under the CEPA. The agency’s conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.

Agency contact:

Name: William Wallach
Agency: 
Department of Economic and Community Development
Address:
 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 5, Hartford, CT 06103
E-Mail:
 William.wallach@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: Mark Burno
Agency: 
Department of Economic and Community Development
Address:
 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 5, Hartford, CT 06103
E-Mail:
 mark.burno@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.


5. Post-Scoping Notice for MLK Tyler

Address of Possible Project Location: 16 Miller Street, New Haven, CT

Municipality where it would be located: New Haven

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On September 19, 2023, the Department of Housing (DOH) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed redevelopment project in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments were received during the public comment period. The DOH’s responses to the comments received are here.
 
After consideration of the comments received, the DOH has determined: the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under the CEPA. The agency’s conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determinationand an Environmental Review Checklist.

Agency contact:

Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D. 
Agency: 
Department of Housing
Address:
 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106
Phone: 
860-270-8230
E-Mail:
 mithila.chakraborty@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: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D. 
Agency: 
Department of Housing
Address: 
505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106
Phone:
 860-270-8230
E-Mail: 
mithila.chakraborty@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.


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


No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.



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 


No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.



OPM's Determination of Adequacy

After an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) and record of decision are developed, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will determine if the EIE and the associated process are 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 


No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.



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


No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.



CEPA Project Inventory

The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) maintains a list of projects that have entered the CEPA process. It shows each project's status. The inventory can be found here.


CEQ Contact Information

All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: ceq@ct.gov.


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