1. Notice of Scoping for Barber Pond Dam Removal

Address of possible location: 102 Old Windsor Road

Municipality where proposed action is located: Bloomfield 

Project Description:  After a routine inspection of the Barber Pond Dam, the State Dams Division of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) determined that Barber Pond Dam is in poor condition due to deficiencies in the concrete of the spillway and training walls.  Due to the extensive repair work required, DEEP determined it was not feasible to repair these deficiencies. Since this dam does not provide any flood control to the area, DEEP determined that the spillway and a portion of the earthen embankment would need to be removed.  All appropriate permits and determinations needed for dam removal will be obtained by the agency.  Because this dam is in a DEEP owned wildlife management area, removal of this dam will eliminate liability and public safety hazards as well as allow free movement of migratory and resident fish and other aquatic organisms within the river system. Removal will be done using a stepped approach that allows for a controlled release of the water in Barber Pond.   The flow of Mill River will be temporarily redirected to allow for reconstruction of the Mill River channel which will then be reconnected to the existing Mill Brook.  

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: April 20, 2023.

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

DATE: March 31, 2023

TIME: 2:00PM EST

PLACE: Virtual Zoom Meeting 

NOTES: Join Zoom Meeting 

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87466832658?pwd=cTFRL1AyRkxFRWNFQkg3ellYMStGUT09

Meeting ID: 874 6683 2658
Passcode: 1Hfr6c

To submit written comments, or for any questions about the public scoping meeting or other questions about this project, contact:

Name: James Heaven

Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106

E-Mail: James.Heaven@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: James Heaven

Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106

E-Mail: James.Heaven@ct.gov

What Happens Next: DEEP 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.