1. Notice of Scoping for the Housatonic River Restoration - July 2013

Municipality where proposed projects might be located:  Milford, New Milford, Seymour, Stratford, Watertown

Project Description: The Connecticut SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Trustee Council proposes to implement projects to restore natural resources and resource services in Connecticut injured as a result of the release of PCBs from the General Electric Facility in Pittsfield, MA.  This action is being taken under the auspices of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and a Consent Decree in the case of “The United States, et al. versus the General Electric Company,” and using the Natural Resource Damages (NRD) recovery funds obtained from the General Electric Company as compensation for the injury to natural resources and natural resource services.  Under the 2009 Housatonic River Basin Final Natural Resources Restoration Plan, the Trustees distributed funds to three categories of projects: Aquatic Natural Resources ($1.7 million), Riparian and Floodplain Natural Resources ($2.8 million) and Recreational Uses of Natural Resources ($2.6 million).

At this time, all of the projects identified in the Restoration Plan have been funded. The total amount of funds remaining for additional restoration is currently $2,423,328.  A Draft Amendment to the Plan was prepared that identifies seven preferred alternative aquatic restoration projects that are the subject of this notice.

Preferred alternative aquatic restoration projects:
1. Power Line Marsh Restoration, Housatonic River, Milford
2. Long Beach West Restoration, Stratford,
3. Pin Shop Dam Removal, Naugatuck River, Watertown,
4. Old Papermill Pond Dam Removal Feasibility, East Aspetuck River, New Milford
5. Housatonic Watershed Habitat Continuity, Housatonic River, Multiple Towns
6. Tingue Dam Fish Passage, Naugatuck River, Seymour
7. McKinney NWR, Great Meadows Unit, Stratford

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project locations.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  August 16, 2013

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a 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 26, 2013.

Additional information about the projects, including a link to the Draft Plan Amendment, can be viewed online at: https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&Q=517810&deepNav_GID=1641

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

If you have questions about a public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact Ms. Adamcewicz, as directed above.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person with a disability who may need a communication aid or service may contact the agency's ADA Coordinator at 860-424-3194 or at deep.hrmed@ct.gov.  Any person with limited proficiency in English, who may need information in another language, may contact the agency's Title VI Coordinator at 860-424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.  ADA or Title VI discrimination complaints may be filed with DEEP’s EEO Manager at (860) 424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.