Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

Environmental Monitor

December 16, 2014 

  1.   University of Connecticut Honors Residence Hall, Mansfield
  2.   Middlesex Community College Facilities Master Plan, Middletown
  3.   NEW! I-84 Project, Hartford
  1.   Groton Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, Groton
  1.   Farmington Water Pollution Control Facility Expansion and Upgrade, Farmington, 
 
     No State Land Transfer Notices were submitted for publication in this edition.               
          
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on January 6, 2015.
 
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Scoping Notices

"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.

The following Scoping Notice has been submitted for review and comment.
1. Notice of Scoping for the University of Connecticut Honors Residence Hall

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Mansfield

Address of Possible Project Location: Gilbert Road on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus, Mansfield, Connecticut

Project Description:The University of Connecticut (UCONN) proposes to construct a new Honors Program Residence Hall and dining facility on South Campus, at the corner of Gilbert Road and Mansfield Drive.  The proposed residence hall will include approximately 650 beds and an integrated dining facility providing approximately 700 seats.  The proposed facility will total approximately 210,000 gross square feet within a 5- to 6-story structure and an 8- to 9-story tower element.  This building will serve as the new heart of the UCONN Honors community, strategically located to foster greater integration with the existing campus community, while providing a single home for the various programs that comprise the University’s Honors and Enrichment programs.  The proposed facility will include program offices, seminar and multipurpose rooms, and common spaces.  The project will also include creation of adjacent outdoor spaces that support recreation, learning, and reflection, and foster connectivity with the surrounding campus.

The project is anticipated to tie into existing central utilities for chilled water, steam, and electricity, will receive backup power from a dedicated emergency generator, and will be designed to achieve a minimum Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver designation. The proposed location for the site of the residence hall and dining facility is within Mirror Lake’s watershed which discharges to the Fenton River watershed, and it is also partially within the University of Connecticut National Register Historic District. Construction of the Honors Residence Hall and dining facility will require the removal of two houses on the south side of Gilbert Road that are contributing structures to the National Register district. The proposed action includes closure of Gilbert Road to vehicular traffic for approximately 950 feet between Whitney Road and Mansfield Road to create a pedestrian walkway and modifications to Whitney Road to accommodate redirected traffic from Gilbert Road.  

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

Written comments: from the public are welcomed and will be accepted through December 18, 2014.

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

Date:      December 2, 2014

Time:      7:00 p.m. (Doors will be open at 6:00 p.m. to allow review of informational materials.)

Place:      Room 146, UConn Bishop Center; One Bishop Circle; Storrs, CT

Written comments should be sent to:

Name:    Paul Ferri

Agency:   UConn - Office of Environmental Policy

Address: 31 LeDoyt Road, U-3055; Storrs, CT 06269

Fax:        860-486-5477

E-Mail:   paul.ferri@uconn.edu

If you have questions about the Public Scoping Meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, please contact Mr. Ferri as directed above.

2. Notice of Scoping for the Middlesex Community College Facilities Master Plan 2014-2023

Municipality where proposed project might be located:  Middletown

Address of Possible Project Location:  100 Training Hill Road 

Project Description:  The Board of Regents, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, in conjunction with Middlesex Community College (MXCC) and the Connecticut Division of Construction Services, proposes to implement an Educational Master Plan and Facilities Master Plan (Paulien & Associates, Inc. and Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Inc., February 2014) (44 MB) (Appendices 16.8 MB).  This Education Master Plan and its related Facilities Master Plan is an all-inclusive planning document that furthers MXCC’s vision for the future through the development of key academic and planning initiatives.  These plans are intended to guide the institution’s educational direction through the year 2023.

The Facilities Master Plan is a baseline for future development and funding requests to the Board of Regents.  The Facilities Master Plan addresses the College’s need for additional buildings and renovations of existing facilities.  For more details on the project descriptions review the following sections of the Master Plan:

  • Section 7: Goals and Objectives
  • Section 10: Alternatives (including the Preferred Alternative)
  • Section 11: Facilities Capital Plan

Project Map(s):  Click here to view the general project location  (8 MB), aerial photo of the existing campus (7 MB), and the Preferred Alternative Concept (1.5 MB).

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: December 18, 2014.  

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 November 28, 2014.

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

Name:

Keith Epstein, AIA

Title:

Vice President, Real Estate, Facilities, and Infrastructure Planning

Agency:

Board of Regents, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

Address:

61 Woodland Street

Hartford, Connecticut  06105

Fax:

860-493-0059

E-Mail:

epsteink@ct.edu
 
If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name:

Jeff Bolton

Title:

Supervising Environmental Analyst

Agency:

Connecticut Division of Construction Services

Address:

165 Capitol Avenue, Room 482

Hartford, Connecticut  06106

Phone:

860-713-5706

E-Mail:

jeffrey.bolton@ct.gov
 
The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in May 2015.

Other information: Middlesex Community College website

3. Notice of Scoping for: I-84 Hartford Project
Municipality where proposed project might be located: Hartford, CT
 
Address of Project Location: I-84 from approximately Hamilton Street to I-91 interchange in downtown Hartford.
 
Project Description: The I-84 Hartford Project was initiated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to address structural deficiencies, improve traffic operations and safety, and reduce congestion on I-84 mainline and its interchanges from approximately Hamilton Street to   I-91 in the City of Hartford. At the same time, the I-84 Hartford Project will strive to reduce the highway’s adverse impact and footprint on the City, while integrating it more closely into the regional multimodal and interstate transportation system, both existing and planned.
 

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

DATE:  January 21, 2015 (snow date January 28, 2015; same time and location)
TIME:  Open House from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Presentation at 5:30 p.m.
PLACE: Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103
 
Purpose of Meeting: The Scoping Meeting will present information about the project and solicit public comments on the project’s purpose and need, preliminary alternatives, and areas of key environmental concern.
 
The study team will be available from 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and after the presentation until 7:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed project.  The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.
 
Written comments from the public are welcomed. Public comments may be submitted verbally at the meeting, either in front of an audience, one-on-one with a stenographer, or in writing. The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department of Transportation’s Office of Communications (voice only) at (860) 594-3062 at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance. The Scoping Initiation Packet and other scoping materials are available online at www.i84hartford.com.
 
While comments may be submitted at any time throughout the course of this project, comments must be postmarked by February 20, 2015 to be part of the scoping record.
 
Written comments should be sent to:

Name: Mr. Richard Armstrong, Transportation Principal Engineer

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Address: P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546

E-Mail: richard.armstrong@ct.gov (Please use the subject heading "I-84 HARTFORD Project")

Phone: (860) 594-3187

Other Information: I-84 Hartford Project Website, www.i84hartford.com

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

¿Habla español?  Visite www.i84hartford.com/y use la función “Google Translate.”
 
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.

The following Post-Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.
 
1. Post-Scoping Notice for the Groton Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

 

Municipality where project will be located: Groton

CEPA Determination: On June 3, 2014 the Department of Public Health (DPH) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.

Based on the comments provided by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) dated July 2, 2014  and July 7, 2014, and the DPH determination of consistency  with the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for the State of Connecticut, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under CEPA. The DPH will coordinate with Groton Utilities to ensure that the recommendations by the DEEP will be implemented.

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

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

Name:

 Eric McPhee

Agency:
Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section

Address:

 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#51WAT
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT  06134-0308

Phone:

 860-509-7333

Fax:

 860-509-7359

E-Mail:

 DPH.SourceProtection@ct.gov

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

 
 
 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 publication in this edition.
1. Notice of EIE for Farmington Water Pollution Control Facility Expansion & Upgrade

Municipality where project is proposed: Farmington

Address of Project Location: 921 Farmington Avenue, Farmington

Project Description: In order to meet current environmental regulations and projected growth, the Farmington Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) will require an expansion and upgrade. Overall wastewater flow and pollutant loads to the plant are projected to increase by approximately 35% by 2035. This increase is based on wastewater treatment capacity allotments requested by the Town and its contract communities (Avon, Burlington and Canton), and accounts for the planned connection of the following:

- residential, industrial and commercial flows within the Town of Farmington

- increased flows from the UCONN Health Center

- additional flows from Miss Porter's School

- additional flows from Westfarms Mall

- flows committed to the Towns of Avon, Canton and Burlington by inter-municipal agreement

- additional infiltration and inflow associated with planned sewer extensions as well as continued deterioration of the existing collection system.

As a result of the aging system, stricter environmental regulations that include nutrient removal, and projected increased flows, the town and their Water Pollution Control Authority proactively elected to evaluate and plan for improvements to the WPCF.

Project Maps:   Click here to view a map of the project location.
                           Click here to view the site plan.
                           Click here to view a map of the sewer service area.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: December 19, 2014

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

      Farmington Town Clerk
      1 Monteith Drive
      Farmington, CT 06032

The EIE can also be found online at the DEEP website by clicking here.

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Hearing on this EIE by sending such a request to the address below by November 14, 2014.  If a hearing is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection must schedule a Public Hearing.

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name: Stacy Pappano
Agency: Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse
Address: 79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127 
Phone:

860-424-3362
Fax: 860-424-4067
E-Mail: stacy.pappano@ct.gov

If you have questions about a public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact Ms. Pappano, 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.

 
 
 
Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47 requires 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 process. 

No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

 
 
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