1. Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) 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 (see the attached figures).
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, 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 (CT DEEP), which is the Sponsoring Agency for the Project. There is no Participating Agency.
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.
Project Maps: Click here to view a Locus Map. Click here to view a Project Phasing Plan, showing the general location of the Project Area and Project Phases.
Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Scoping Notice on October 5, 2021 and a Post-Scoping Notice on December 7, 2021, for the proposed project in the Environmental Monitor.
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: April 11, 2022.
The public can view a copy of this EIE at this link or at the following webpage for DEEP's Public Notices, or hard copy at the following locations:
• Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection office (see DEEP contact information below to request an appointment),
• Bridgeport City Hall Town Clerk’s Office, Bridgeport City Hall Room 122, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (call 203-576-7208 to make an appointment), and
• Bridgeport Public Library - North Branch, 3455 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606
Other information:
There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:
DATE: Tuesday, March 29, 2022
TIME: 7:00 pm EST
PLACE: Virtual
NOTES: The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and can be accessed by the following link and passcode:
https://gza.zoom.us/j/95677983752
Meeting ID: 956 7798 3752
Passcode: 873651
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling 1-646-876-9923 and entering the Meeting ID/Participant Code when prompted: 956 7798 3752
Written comments and/or questions about the meeting, project, or the EIE for this project should be sent to the following (email preferred) (Please use “OX BROOK” in the subject line):
Name: Fred Riese
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106
E-Mail: Frederick.Riese@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-4110
What happens next: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. DEEP will prepare responses to the substantive issues raised in review of and comment on the EIE and any supplemental materials or amendments. Those responses and all supplemental materials and comments shall be made available in a "Record of Decision" which will appear in the Environmental Monitor for public inspection.