Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

Environmental Monitor

December 18, 2018

  
  1. NEW! Notice of Prescribed Burns, Pachaug State Forest, Griswold, Voluntown
  2. NEW! Derby Water Storage Tank, Derby
  1. NEW! Project Cancellation, Property Acquisition, Orange
  1. NEW! Northwest Science Quad, University of Connecticut, Mansfield
  1. Extended Comment Period with Additional Information. 263 Migeon Ave, Torrington
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on January 8, 2019.
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Notices in the Environmental Monitor are written and formatted by the sponsoring agencies and are published unedited. Questions about the content of any notice should be directed to the sponsoring agency.
Inquiries and requests to view or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency.
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 Notices have been submitted for review and comment.
1. Notice of Scoping for Prescribed Burns

Project Title: Pachaug State Forest Prescribed Burn

Municipalies where proposed project might be located: Voluntown, Griswold

Addresses of Possible Project Locations: Pachaug State Forest, Stone Hill Block, Compartments 8,9, and 12, located east, west and north of Lawrence Road.

Project Description: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is planning multiple burns over three years, up to 346 acres.  Leaf litter, grasses, huckleberries, logging slash, and other down wood will be burned.  Repeated drought, gypsy moths and chestnut borers have killed over 90% of the oaks.  Many trees have already been cut for public safety.  Though much of the wood has been harvested, the remaining tree tops increase the risk of intense wildfires. 

DEEP's goals are to reduce the down wood and to regenerate young oak and pine forests.  Oak forests cannot sustain themselves under current natural conditions, as seedlings cannot tolerate shade. Historically, they thrived after Native American burns, abandonment of land, clearcuts, and the chestnut blight.  In the absence of these factors, the less ecologically valuable birch, beech, and maple crowd out the oaks.  In time, oak forests will greatly diminish from the area without prescribed burns, which is referred to as an impending ecological crisis. 

The burns will also weaken or kill shrubs and birch, beech and maple saplings in the understory, and create a better seedbed for acorns and stimulate existing oak seedlings.  More sunlight will reach those seedlings. 

DEEP expects to burn 36 acres in 2019, and more in the following years.  Some areas may require more than a single burn.  The timeframes are February to mid-May, and end of May to the end of November.  Nearby trails will be closed only on the days of the burns, smoke will clear within a few hours.  

Project Map(s):  Pachaug State Forest Prescribed Burn Map

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  January 17, 2019.

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 28, 2018. 

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

Name: Kevin Grady, Protection Forester
Agency: CT DEEP, Bureau of Natural Resources
Address:   Goodwin State Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT 06247
E-Mail: kevin.grady@ct.gov

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

Name: Emery Gluck, Forester
Agency: CT DEEP, Bureau of Natural Resources
Address:   Cockaponset State Forest, 18 Ranger Road, Haddam, CT 06438
Phone: 860-345-8522
E-Mail: emery.gluck@ct.gov

 

2. Notice of Scoping for Derby Water Storage Tank

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Derby

Address of Possible Project Location: In the vicinity of 8 Nutmeg Avenue

Project Description: South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) proposes to construct a one million gallon pre-stressed concrete tank in Derby to provide adequate atmospheric storage to the Ansonia-Derby Service Area.  By providing atmospheric storage in this area, it will enable RWA to better meet peak flows during high water demand periods in the system and it will increase the amount of water available for emergencies.  This tank would also help stabilize water pressures in the system during these high demand periods and increase the reliability of water service to approximately 13,000 customers, including a hospital and other critical customers. The work associated with this project includes a 51-foot diameter, 57-foot tall concrete storage tank; construction of approximately 175 feet of piping from the site to the intersection of Nutmeg Avenue and Chatfield Street; an access drive from Chatfield Street to the tank site; a secondary unpaved access road from Coon Hollow Road; and a paved parking area at the bottom of the unpaved access road for use by the City of Derby.

Project Map:  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:  January 18, 2019.

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 December 28, 2018.

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

Name: Mr. Eric McPhee
Agency:
Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
Address:   410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Fax: 860-509-7359
E-Mail: DPH.sourceprotection@ct.gov

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

Name: Ms. Patricia Bisacky
Agency:
Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
Address:  
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860-509-7333
Fax: 860-509-7359
E-Mail: Patricia.bisacky@ct.gov

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring State Agency:

Name:

 Maura Downes

Agency:

 Department of Public Health

Address:
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13CMN
Hartford, CT 06134-0308

E-Mail:

 DPH.communications@ct.gov

Phone:

 860-509-7286
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 Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
1. Post-Scoping Notice for Property Acquisition, Orange

Municipality where project will be located:  Orange

NOTICE OF PROJECT CANCELLATION:  On August 7, 2018 the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for the proposed acquisition of property to encourage construction of an Orange train station and to provide future opportunities for transit-oriented development, new business opportunities, and transit options for residents of the Town. The property is located at 28 Salemme Lane (also known as 0 Marsh Hill Road). 

Since the parties have been unable to reach agreement on the terms of the proposed transaction, OPM notified the Town of Orange  on December 12, 2018 that the project is hereby cancelled, thereby concluding the CEPA process.

If an agency were to initiate this project in the future, a new public scoping notice will be issued.

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

Name:

 Mr. Zack Hyde

Agency:

 Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

Address:

 450 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT  06106

Phone:

 860-418-6261

E-Mail:

 Zack.Hyde@ct.gov

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 EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
1. Notice of EIE for the University of Connecticut

Northwest Science Quadrangle

Municipality where project is proposed:  Mansfield

Address of Possible Project Location(s):  X-Lot, L-Lot, and Lot 9 and surrounding area south of King Hill Road on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus, Mansfield, Connecticut

Project Description:

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is proposing to begin construction of the Northwest Science Quad on an approximately 22-acre site located at the northwest corner of campus which includes the existing Lot 9, X-Lot, and L-Lot. The Northwest Science Quad is identified as part of the North Eagleville Science District in the University’s Campus Master Plan and is part of the capital project initiatives in support of Next Generation Connecticut to significantly expand educational opportunities, research, and innovation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines at UConn. The proposed project consists of the following:

  • Science 1 Building – an  ~193,600 gross square foot (GSF) STEM Research Center
  • Supplemental utility plant (SUP)
  • North Woodland Corridor walkway
  • Improvements to King Hill Road and realignment of Hillside Road and Alumni Drive
  • Stormwater management and other campus-wide utilities to service the Northwest Science Quad
  • Extension of utility tunnel from existing Central Utility Plant (CUP) to the proposed SUP
  • Surface parking (approximately 180 spaces)

Construction associated with the project will incorporate best practices of sustainability with a minimum goal for Science 1 of LEED Gold certification, with a goal of also being certified for the U.S. Green Building Council Sustainable SITES program.

The University has prepared an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) to further evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action, as well as other alternatives, including the No Action alternative.

Project Maps:  Click here to view a map of the project area. Click here to view a conceptual map of the proposed Northwest Science Quad Improvements.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: February 8, 2019

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

  • Mansfield Town Clerk’s Office, Audrey P Beck Municipal Building, 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT
  • Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Road, Mansfield, CT
  • An electronic copy of the EIE is available by clicking here or visiting http://updc.uconn.edu/blog.

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:

DATE: January 30, 2019

TIME: 7 p.m. (Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. to allow review of informational materials)

PLACE: Konover Auditorium at the Dodd Center, 405 Babbidge Road, Unit 1205
Storrs, CT 06269-1205. The closest public parking is in the South Garage, 2366 Jim Calhoun Way, Storrs, CT 06269. Adjacent to the UConn Bookstore.

NOTES:The event will be available via livestream.  Details and link to livestream will be made available at http://updc.uconn.edu/blog as we get closer to the event.

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name: 
Sean Vasington, Associate Director
Agency:
UConn - Planning Design, and Construction
Address:
 31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3038, Storrs, CT 06269
E-Mail:
Phone:
860 486-5865

If you have questions about the public hearing, or other questions about the EIE, contact Mr. Vasington as directed above.

State Land Transfer Notices
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.

 

The Following State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for notice in this edition.

1. NOTICE OF PROPOSED LAND TRANSFER for 263 MIGEON AVE, TORRINGTON, CT 06790

Commonly used name of property or other identifying information:  Former Harlow A. Pease House

Number of acres to be transferred:  0.78 Acres

Click to view map of property location 

Description of Property

Below is some general information about the property.  It should not be considered a complete description of the property and should not be relied upon for making decisions.  If only a portion of a property is proposed for transfer, the description pertains only to the portion being transferred.

Brief Description of Historical and Current Uses:

Three story, masonry and wood frame house built in 1913.  Former Harlow A. Pease House. Historically used by the State of Connecticut as a group care home; currently not in use.  Brick garage in rear of property.

The property to be transferred contains the following:

Structures:

Buildings in use

Buildings not in use

No Structures

Other Features:

Wooded land

Nonagricultural fields

Active agriculture

Paved areas

Ponds, streams, other water, wetlands

Water Supply:

Public water supply

On-site well

Unknown

Waste Disposal:

Served by sewers

On-site septic system

Unknown

Click to view parcel map of property 

Click to view photographs of property 

The property is in the following municipal zone:

Residential

Industrial

Commercial

Institutional

Other: 

Not zoned

Not known

Special features of the property, if known:The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Migeon Avenue National Register Historic District.

Value of property, if known: Unknown

Type of Sale or Transfer:

Sale or transfer of property in fee

Sale or transfer of partial interest in the property (such as an easement). 

Proposed recipient, if known:  Unknown

Proposed use by property recipient, if known: Unknown

The agency is proposing to transfer the property with the following restrictions on future uses: 

If checked, the state is not currently proposing restrictions on future uses.

Reason the State of Connecticut is proposing to transfer this property:  No longer meets the State's needs.

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on January 17, 2019. 

Comments may include (but are not limited to) information you might have about significant natural resources or recreation resources on the property, as well as your recommendations for means to preserve such resources.

Written comments* should be sent to:

Name:

Paul F. Hinsch

Agency:

Office of Policy and Management

Bureau of Assets Management

Address:

450 Capitol Avenue

Hartford, CT 06106-1379

E-Mail:

Paul.Hinsch@ct.gov

*E-Mail submissions are preferred.

Send copies of comments to:

Name:

Shane Mallory

Agency:

Department of Administrative Services

Leasing & Property Transfer Unit

Address:

450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1402

Hartford, CT 06103

E-Mail:

Shane.Mallory@ct.gov

(Comments from state agencies must be on agency letterhead and signed by agency head.  Scanned copies are preferred.)

What Happens Next?

To find out if this proposed transfer is the subject of further notices, check future editions of the Environmental Monitor. Sign up for e-alerts to receive a reminder e-mail on Environmental Monitor publication dates.

 
 
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