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:

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.

2. Notice of Scoping for Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park Expansion

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Bethel

Address of Possible Project Location: Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT

Project Description: The Town of Bethel is seeking state financial assistance for the expansion of the existing Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park by extending an existing roadway (Trowbridge Drive) southerly in order to add approximately 50 acres of town-owned land which could result in the creation of up to 10 additional lots. The additional lots would be located on land to the east of the proposed Trowbridge Drive extension. The property located on the west side of the proposed Trowbridge Drive extension will remain open space. The DECD had previously partnered with the Town of Bethel to create a Municipal Development Plan (MDP) dated August 1983 which allowed for the creation of the Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park.   In addition the town is proposing to create three additional lots within the existing industrial park in areas previously classified as open space in the MDP Project Plan Report. The Town is required to abide by the Project Plan Report until it expires in August 2013. The proposed activities include roadway and utility extension and other associated project costs.

Project Maps:

Click here to view a location map of the project area.

Click here to view a conceptual layout of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  September 6, 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 August 16, 2013.

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

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

1. Post-Scoping Notice for National Coast Guard Museum Pedestrian Overpass Project - EIE Required

Municipality where project will be located: New London

CEPA Determination:  On June 18, 2013 the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) published a Notice of Scoping to 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 require the preparation of Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA. The issues/concerns raised are explained in the Environmental Assessment Checklist. The agency's conclusion is documented in a  Memo of Findings and Determination.

If you have questions about the project, you can contact the agency at:

What happens next:

The DECD will prepare an Environmental Impact Evaluation for the proposed project.

2. Post-Scoping Notice for Bridgewater Associates

Municipality where project will be located: Stamford

CEPA Determination:  On May 21, 2013 the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) published a Notice of Scoping to 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 issues/concerns raised are explained in the Environmental Assessment Checklist. The agency's conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination.

If you have questions about the project, you can contact the agency at:

What happens next: The DECD expects the project to go forward. This is expected to be the final notice of the project to be published in the Environmental Monitor.