Environmental Monitor
December 6, 2011
    
   1. Thames Shipyard Improvements, New London
   2. Old Saybrook Railroad Parking Lot Expansion, Old Saybrook
   3. Reconstruction of Old Farms Road, Avon
  
  
   No Post-Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition. 
  
   1. Harbor Brook Flood Control Project, Meriden
    No State Land Transfer Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.
                             

         

The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published onDecember 20, 2011.
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"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.

1. Notice of Scoping for the Thames Shipyard Improvements Project

Municipality where proposed project might be located: New London

Address of Possible Project Location: 50 Farnsworth Street, New London, CT 06320

Project Description:

The capital improvement project at Thames Shipyard and Repair Company consists of three related elements.  The company has secured the necessary permits to dredge the footprint of the soon to be expanded Number 2 floating drydock, dredge a turning basin at the entrance to the Number 1 drydock, and to dredge the existing channel to its former depth to allow the shipyard to service deeper draft vessels that are currently turned away due to insufficient water depth to reach the drydocks.  The proposed project consists of dredging a total of approximately 24,500 cubic yards of marine sediments from within the Thames Shipyard berthing area and access channel footprints. The proposed dredging of this facility consists of three individual footprints: Footprint A encompasses the dredging of a portion of the access channel, an area around the northern most dry-dock and the northern most pier to a depth of -18.0’ Mean Low Water (MLW). Footprint B encompasses an area around a main facility dry dock to a depth of -28.0’ MLW. Footprint C encompasses an area around the second pier from the south to a depth of -15.0’ MLW. Dredging and disposal operations are proposed to be conduced using the mechanical clam-shell method and within an approved DEEP dredging window. A thorough Disposal Alternatives Analysis concluded that dredge spoils will be disposed of at either the New London Disposal Site, the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site or Western Long Island Sound Disposal site.  When the project is completed, the shipyard will be in position to fully utilize the capability of the dry docks. This will allow Thames Shipyard to better service the region’s high capacity ferry services that rely on the shipyard to maintain their fleets. This in turn will lead to the creation of jobs in the marine trades field that will enable faster vessel turnaround times and the ability to service more vessels. 

In addition, Thames Shipyard is currently working on modifications to expand its Number 2 drydock thus increasing its overall capabilities.  Once completed, the drydock will be lengthened by 24 feet and widened by 20 feet bringing the overall length to 170 feet (120’ long pontoon with a 25’ apron on each end), and overall width to 92 feet. These improvements to the drydock will increase its deck size enabling it to haul longer and wider vessels. They will increase the drydock's capacity, stability and efficiency and enable it to haul heavier vessels with higher centers of gravity and extend its useful life by 30 years.

The third element to the project is the replacing and rebuilding of existing and deteriorating bulkheading at the shipyard.  This will allow for vessels to be serviced while they are not in drydock.  Thames Shipyard has received permits to replace 600 feet of bulkheading at the yard. 

Project Map(s):  Click here to view a Location Map of the project area. Click here to view a Site Plan of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  December 22, 2011.

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

DATEDecember 13, 2011

TIME: 2:00 pm

PLACE: New London Public Library, Community Room, 63 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320

Written comments and should be sent to:

Name: Mark Hood
Agency:

Department of Economic and Community Development

Address:

505 Hudson Street

Hartford, CT 06106

Fax:

860-270-8157

E-Mail: mark.hood@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Mark Hood
Agency:

Department of Economic and Community Development

Address:

505 Hudson Street

Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: 860-270-8089
Fax:

860-270-8157

E-Mail: mark.hood@ct.gov


2. Notice of Scoping for the Old Saybrook Railroad Parking Lot Expansion

Municipality where proposed project might be located:Old Saybrook

Address of Possible Project Location: 3 North Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT

Project Description: The Connecticut Department of Transportation proposes to expand the parking area for the Old Saybrook Shore Line East Railroad Station.  The Department's plan is to acquire the adjacent property to the west of the current parking lot and to construct a parking lot of approximately 800 parking spaces and various bicycle racks to be used by the Old Saybrook Railroad Station commuters.

Project MapClick here to view a map of the project area.

Project Plans: Click here to view preliminary site plans for the project.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  Friday, December 23, 2011

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 Friday, December 2, 2011.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting, including questions regarding the scoping of this project should be sent to:

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-2931
Fax: 860-594-3028
E-Mail: Mark.W.Alexander@ct.gov

After the public scoping, the Department will make a determination whether an Environmental Impact Evaluation may be prepared for this project.


3. Notice of Scoping for the Reconstruction of Old Farms Road

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Avon

Address of Possible Project Location: Old Farms Road, Thompson Road, and Scoville Road

Project Description: This project will reconstruct, realign or relocate Old Farms Road, Thompson Road and Scoville Road in the Town of Avon, Connecticut to provide transportation improvements to address operational and safety needs, as well as support land use objectives established in the Town of Avon's current approved Plan of Conservation and Development adopted on May 2, 2006.

Project Map(s)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:  Friday, December 23, 2011

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 Friday, December 2, 2011.

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

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131
Fax: 860-594-3028
E-Mail: Mark.W.Alexander@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Ms. Jessica L. DiLuca
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Address:
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-2135
Fax: 860-594-3028
E-Mail: Jessica.DiLuca@ct.gov


Post-Scoping Notices: Environmental Impact Evaluation Not Required
This category is required by the October 2010 revision of the Generic Environmental Classification Document for State Agencies. A notice is published here if the sponsoring agency, after publication of a scoping notice and consideration of comments received, has determined that an  Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) does not need to be prepared for the proposed project.

No Post-Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition

EIE Notices

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).


The following Environmental Impact Evaluation has been submitted for review and comment in this edition. 


1. Notice of EIE for Harbor Brook Flood Control Project

Municipality where project is proposed: Meriden

Project Description: This flood control project involves a package of channel improvements, bridge replacements, floodwater storage enhancements, wetlands enhancements and the construction of a linear recreational trail along the Harbor Brook corridor from Baldwin’s Pond downstream to the confluence of Harbor Brook and the Quinnipiac River at Hanover Pond.

Project Maps: Click here to view a map of the Harbor Brook watershed. Click here to view a map of the Harbor Brook project corridor.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: January 9, 2012

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

   Meriden Public Library
   105 Miller Street
   Meriden, CT

or

   Meriden City Hall
   Office of the City Clerk
   142 East Main Street 
   Meriden, CT

The EIE can also be found on-line at the DEEP website by clicking here.

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:

DATE: Wednesday, January 4, 2012

TIME: 7:00 PM (public displays of project area and elements will be available for viewing beginning at 6:30 PM)

PLACE: City Council Chamber, Meriden City Hall, 142 East Main Street, Meriden

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name: Dan Biron, Project Manager
Agency: Department of Energy & Enviromental Protection
Inland Water Resources Division
Address: 79 Elm St.
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-424-3892
Fax: 860-424-4075
E-Mail: dan.biron@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact Dan Biron as directed above.

The Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and service provider.  In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities.  Individuals with disabilities who need this information in an alternative format, to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency’s programs and services, should call 860-424-3035 or e-mail the ADA Coordinator, at DEP.aaoffice@CT.Gov. Persons who are hearing impaired should call the State of Connecticut relay number 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to the hearing date.


State Land Transfer Notices


Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47requires 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 five-step process...


No State Land Transfer Notices were submitted for publication in this edition.

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Copyright 2011, Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality