Environmental Monitor
October 18, 2011
    1. New Haven - Hartford - Springfield Rail Improvements
   2. Demolition of Buildings #11 and #29 at the Former Cedarcrest Hospital, Newington
   3. NEW! University of Connecticut Health Center Newly Revised New Construction and Renovation Project, Farmington
   4. NEW! Villages at Shantok Hill, Montville
        
  
   1. Windham Hospital Medical Building, Windham 
  
   No Environmental Impact Evaluations have been submitted for publication in this edition
    No State Land transfers have been submitted for publication in this edition
                             

         

The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published onNovember 8, 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 New Haven - Hartford - Springfield Rail Improvements

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: The proposed improvements are along the existing 62 mile rail corridor starting at Union Station in New Haven, Connecticut, traveling northward through Hartford, and continuing to Union Station in Springfield, Massachussetts.  It traverses the municipalities of New Haven, North Haven, Hamden, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Longmeadow and Springfield, Massachusetts.

Project Description: The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Project will provide significant new regional passenger rail service options as a key component of a robust and vibrant multi-modal regional transportation system. With funding from both the new High-Speed Intercity Rail Program created by President Barack Obama in 2008, and the State of Connecticut, the NHHS Rail Project will provide the infrastructure and trains to operate some of the nation’s best passenger rail services. As the gateway to New England, the NHHS Rail Project will also facilitate improved service to Massachusetts, Vermont and eventually Montreal. New train service will connect communities, generate sustainable economic growth, help build energy independence, and provide links to travel corridors and markets within and beyond the region.

The following infrastructure improvements to the existing rail corridor will be built to accommodate projected 2030 service: 

  • Re-installation of 38.7 miles of double track which was previously removed by AMTRAK in 1989.
  • 5.8 miles of new passing sidings and rehabilitation of two existing sidings
  • 9 new interlockings (so trains can change tracks)  
  • signaling and control systems, including Positive Train Control 
  • Repair, rehabilitation and replacement of bridges and culverts  
  • Improvements at 38 at-grade crossing  
  • High-level platforms, pedestrian overpasses, parking, and other amenities at: 
    - Wallingford
    - Meriden
    - Berlin
    - Windsor 
    - Windsor Locks
  • Future new stations at North Haven, Newington, West Hartford and Enfield, and a new platform at New Haven State Street station
  • Layover and maintenance facility near SpringfieldMA station

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

Additional Project Information: Click here to be directed to the project website.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  October 20, 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 September 30, 2011.

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

Name: Mr. Mark W. Alexander - Transportation Assistant Planning Director
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: Mr. Stephen V. Delpapa - Transportation Supervising Planner
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-2941
Fax: 860-594-3028
E-Mail: Stephen.Delpapa@ct.gov

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment by the end of 2011


2. Notice of Scoping for Demolition of Buildings #11 and #29 at the Former Cedarcrest Hospital Property

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Newington

Address of Possible Project Location: Russell Road 

Project Description: Demolish two building (#11 and #29) on the former grounds of Cedarcrest Hospital.  The two buildings are listed on the State Register of Historic Places.  The demolition is necessary for the proposed State Data Center.  The proposed construction does not meet the Environmental Classification Document (ECD) criteria warranting public scoping; therefore, this scoping notice is not subject to the proposed construction, but rather the demolition of historic buildings.  The Department is actively coordinating with the State Historic Preservation Office.

The former hospital just south of Building #29 may be demolished in the future, but under a separate project.  Therefore, this scoping notice is intended to also address any comments or potential impacts under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act.

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

Aerial Photo of Site.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  October 20, 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 September 30, 2011.

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

Name: Jeffrey Bolton, Supervising Environmental Analyst
Agency: Department of Construction Services
Environmental Planning
Address: 165 Capitol Avenue
Room 275
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Phone: 860-713-5706
Fax: 860-713-7250
E-Mail:

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

Other Information: See attached Initial Environmental Review.


3. Notice of Scoping for the Newly Revised New Construction and Renovation Project for the University of Connecticut Health Center 

Municipality where proposed project might be located:  Farmington

Addresses of Possible Project LocationMain Road, West Road, and East Road, University of Connecticut Health Center; Farmington, Connecticut

Project DescriptionThe University of Connecticut Health Center proposes to undertake construction of a new hospital bed tower, ambulatory care center, research laboratory facility, three parking garages, additional surface parking, and related site work at its campus in Farmington, Connecticut.  The new construction is integral to the implementation of Bioscience Connecticut, an initiative that was recently approved by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Dannel P. Malloy.  The capital improvement program also includes renovations and infrastructure improvements to the Health Center to support patient, educational, and research activities.  The project will take place on the upper campus to the north east, and west of John Dempsey Hospital on existing paved areas, and on the lower campus in the general vicinity of the existing Dowling Buildings and the Medical Arts Research Building.  The project will play an important strategic role in further positioning the Health Center as a top medical research and education institution and enhancing patient care services.  This project was initially published on September 6, 2011 and the public comment period ended on October 6, 2011.  A public scoping meeting was held on September 22, 2011.  The project has since been expanded and the scoping period is being extended to reflect that change.

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 November 17, 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 October 28, 2011.

Additional information about the project can be viewed in person at   or online at:

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

Name: Kevin R. Norton, Project Manager
Agency: University of Connecticut Health Center
Address: 263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, Connecticut 06030
Phone:
860-679-2075
Fax: 860-679-1279
E-Mail: krnorton@uchc.edu

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

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in December 2011.


4. Scoping Notice of Scoping for the Villages at Shantok Hill

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Montville

Address of Possible Project Location: 1710 and 1856 Norwich - New London Turnpike (Rte. 32), Montville, CT  06382

Project Description: Mutual Housing Association of South Central Connecticut is proposing to construct a 244-unit rental apartment complex on 17.65 acres of undeveloped woodlands located at 1710 and 1856 Norwich - New London Turnpike (Rte. 32), Montville, CT  06382. The proposed development will include 74 affordable rental units. The project also includes construction of a new roadway off Route 32 near Church Lane and infrastructure development, surface parking areas, a community building and a maintenance building. Scoping was previously conducted for this project under the name "Uncas Hills of Montville Condominiums" in November 2008.  Scoping is being re-conducted due to design changes. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment has been conducted for the project which identified no evidence of recognized environmental conditions (RECs) in connection with the property. A Phase IA Archaeological Investigation is currently underway.

Project Maps

Click here to view a map of the project area.

Click here to view a Site Plan for the project.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: November 18, 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 October 28, 2011.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting 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


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.

1. Post-Scoping Notice for the Windham Hospital Medical Building

Municipality where project will be located: Windham

CEPA Determination:  On July 19, 2011 the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) published a Notice of Scopingto solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.  The DECD has taken those comments into consideration and has concluded that the project does not require the preparation of Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA.

The agency's conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination  and an Environmental Assessment Checklist .


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).


No Environmental Impact Evaluations have been submitted for review and comment in this edition.


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 Step I, II, Step III, Step IV or Step V Notices were submitted for publication in this edition.

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Copyright 2011, Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality