Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

1. Notice of Proposed Land Transfer, Old Lyme

Complete Address of Property: Old Boston Post Road, Old Lyme

Number of acres to be transferred: 0.62 acres

Property Location and Survey:  Click for: map,  Click for: photo

Description of Property

Brief Description of Historical and Current Uses: The parcel to be transferred to the Town of Old Lyme was historically under the custody and control of the Department of Transportation, and was associated with Route 1 and the prior Route 1 Bridge over the Lieutenant River. The parcel became surplus when it was no longer needed for highway purposes. In 1979, this parcel was transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection (now the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or DEEP) for public access to the River. The Town would be able to combine this parcel with town-owned land to expand and enhance recreational opportunities and water access for the general public.

The property to be transferred contains the following:

Buildings in use
Buildings not in use
Wooded land
 Nonagricultural fields
 Active agriculture
 Paved areas
 Ponds, streams or other water

Water Supply:   Public water supply   On-site well    Unknown
Waste Disposal:    Served by sewers    On-site septic system    Unknown

The Connecticut Conservation and Development Policies Plan identifies the property as being in the following category:

Regional Center
Neighborhood Conservation Area
Growth Area
 Rural Community Center
 Rural Area
 Conservation Area

 Preservation Area

 Existing Preserved Open Space

The property is in the following municipal zone:

Not zoned
Residential
Industrial
 Commercial
 Institutional
 Other: 
 Not known 

Type of Sale or Transfer: 

Sale or transfer of property in fee

Sale or transfer of partial interest in the property (such as an easement).  Description of interest:

         

Proposed recipient, if known: Town of Old Lyme

Proposed use by property recipient, if known: The Town of Old Lyme has proposed to enhance this public water access area. The area will be open to the public, regardless of residency. The Town will fund any needed infrastructure and the maintenance of the property.

The agency is proposing to transfer the property with the following restrictions on future uses: DEEP will convey the land with the following restrictions in the deed: the property must be open to the public, regardless of residency, the Town of Old Lyme must use the property solely for public recreation purposes, and the property will revert to DEEP if either condition is violated. 

If checked, the state is not currently proposing restrictions on future uses.

Reason the State of Connecticut is proposing to transfer this property: The Town of Old Lyme is best-suited to enhance and maintain this small, standalone property for public use and benefit. If the property is not used for public recreation, it will revert to DEEP.

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on: NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Comments may include information that you have about significant natural resources or recreation resources on the property, as well as your recommendations for means to preserve such resources.

Written comments* should be sent to:

Name:

Patrick O’Brien

Title:

 Bureau of Assets Management

Agency:

Office of Policy and Management

Address:

 450 Capitol Avenue MS#52 ASP
Hartford, CT 06106-1379

E-Mail:

 Patrick.Obrien@ct.gov

*E-Mail submissions are preferred.

What Happens Next

When this comment period closes, the proposed land transfer can take one of three tracks:

1.   If no public comments are received, the sale or transfer can proceed with no further public comment and no further notices in the Environmental Monitor, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

2.   If public comments are received, the Office of Policy and Management will respond to those comments.  The comments and responses will be published in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of the comments and responses, the proposed sale or transfer can proceed, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

3.   If the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) elects to conduct a further review of the property, it may submit to the Office of Policy and Management a report with recommendations for preserving all or part of the property.  The report and recommendations will be published in the Environmental Monitor, and there will be a 30-day public comment period.  The DEEP will publish its responses to any comments received and its final recommendation about the property in the Environmental Monitor.  The Office of Policy and Management will then make the final determination as to the ultimate disposition of the property, and will publish that determination in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of that final determination, the sale or transfer can proceed.

To find out if this proposed transfer is the subject of further notices, check future editions of the Environmental Monitor.  Sign up for e-alerts to receive a reminder e-mail on publication dates.