Environmental Monitor
 
February 19, 2019
  

Scoping Notices

  1. NEW! Bridgeport Municipal Airport Improvements, Stratford
  1. Wastewater Facilities Plan, Fairfield
  2. Sprague NPU Emergency Interconnection, Sprague
  3. Derby Water Storage Tank, Derby
  1. NEW DATES! Resiliant Bridgeport, Bridgeport
  2. Project Status Clarification Post EIE - Commuter Railroad Station Project - Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport 
  1. NEW! Parcels on Waterfront, Albia, Alabama, and Edgemere Streets, New Haven
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on March 5, 2019.
Subscribe to e-alerts to receive an e-mail when the Environmental Monitor is published.
 
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 Notice has been submitted for review and comment.

1. Notice of Scoping for Bridgeport Municipal Airport Improvements

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Stratford

Address of project location: 1000 Great Meadow Road

Project Description:    The Department of Economic and Community Development is proposing to provide financial assistance to the City of Bridgeport as a 47% match to a private investment to assist in the construction of the Phase I improvements at the Bridgeport Municipal/ Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) in the Town of Stratford.  The proposed project is intended to initiate commercial airline service to BDR. The mid-range airline service along the U.S. eastern seaboard is expected to start in 2020, with approximately 5 to 8 flights daily.  The proposed aircraft fleet is quieter than many corporate aircraft currently operating at the airport today. The capacity of the aircraft is approximately 100 to 150 passengers.

The proposed project will include improvements to the airport’s taxiways, runways, parking lots, construction of an approximate 20,000 sf terminal building to be used as a holding area and support space for office, ticketing, freight, baggage, and concessions.  The project may also include the rehabilitation of an existing 8,000 sf existing abandoned structure to be reused as an operations center.  This proposed project is consistent with the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) approved by the FAA in 2009.

The project developer will be providing the matching funds needed to complete the project.  The necessary financial commitments and assurances will be in place prior to any State funding disbursement.

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

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on March 21, 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 March 6, 2019.

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

Christine Marques

Office of Capital Projects

Department of Economic and Community Development

450 Columbus Blvd, 4th floor, Hartford CT 06103

Christine.marques@ct.gov

If you have any questions concerning the scoping of this project or a public meeting please contact:

Christine Marques

Office of Capital Projects

Department of Economic and Community Development

450 Columbus Blvd, 4th floor, Hartford CT 06103

Christine.marques@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.

 


The following Post-Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Post-Scoping Notice for the Town of Fairfield Wastewater Facilities Plan

Municipality where project will be located: Fairfield

CEPA Determination:  On November 7, 2017 the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.  During the scoping period, DEEP received  comments from the Office of Policy and Management. DEEP considered the comments and sent a letter of response dated January 2, 2018.  DEEP 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 Environmental Checklist.

If you have questions about the project, please contact:

Name:

Ann Straut

Agency:

CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Address:

79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106

Phone:

860-424-3137

Fax:

860-424-4067

E-Mail:

ann.straut@ct.gov

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


2. Post-Scoping Notice for the Sprague Emergency Interconnection between Norwich Public Utilities and Sprague Water and Sewer Authority

Municipality where project will be located: Sprague

CEPA Determination: On July 3, 2018, 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 DPH’s environmental assessment of this project which includes a review of comments provided by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) dated August 2, 2018 and a response to the DEEP comments from CLA Engineers, Inc. on behalf of Norwich Public Utilities dated January 18, 2019, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under CEPA. The DPH will coordinate with Norwich Public Utilities and the Sprague Water and Sewer Authority to ensure that the recommendations received during the Scoping period are 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:

Mr. Eric McPhee

Agency:

Department of Public Health – Drinking Water Section

Address:

410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS, PO Box 340308

Hartford, CT 06134-0308

E-Mail:

DPH.sourceprotection@ct.gov

Phone:

860-509-7333

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:

Ms. Elizabeth Conklin

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

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.


3. Post-Scoping Notice for Derby Water Storage Tank

Municipality where project will be located: Derby

CEPA Determination: On December 18, 2018, 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 DPH’s environmental assessment of this project which includes a review of comments provided by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) dated January 15, 2019, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under CEPA. The DPH will coordinate with the Regional Water Authority to ensure that the recommendations received during the Scoping period are 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:

Mr. Eric McPhee

Agency:

Department of Public Health Drinking Water Section

Address:

410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS, PO Box 340308

Hartford, CT 06134-0308

E-Mail:

DPH.sourceprotection@ct.gov

Phone:

860-509-7333

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:

Ms. Elizabeth Conklin

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

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 EIE Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Notice of EIE for Resilient Bridgeport: Rebuild By Design and National Disaster Resilience Projects

Municipality where project is proposed: Bridgeport

Address of Possible Project Location: South End of Bridgeport, CT

Project Description: The State of Connecticut’s Department of Housing (CTDOH) is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) disaster recover grant funding and is the “Responsible Entity,” as that term is defined by HUD regulations at 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 58.2(a)(7)(i). CTDOH has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for the proposed Resilient Bridgeport: National Disaster Resilience and Rebuild by Design projects (Proposed Action). The disaster recovery grants are under HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) National Disaster Resilience (NDR) and Rebuild by Design (RBD) programs as part of HUD’s response to the devastation following Superstorm Sandy. The Proposed Action consists of three projects located within the South End of Bridgeport, Connecticut—the RBD Pilot Project at the former Marina Village public housing site, a Flood Risk Reduction Project on the east side of the South End, and a Resilience Center—that together would provide stormwater management, dry evacuation routes (dry egress), a coastal flood defense system, and resiliency education to the community.

The Connecticut Environmental Policy Act establishes environmental policy for the State of Connecticut and requires an EIE for any state action that could affect the natural environment. In addition, the Proposed Action is considered a “major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment”; therefore, it must comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). As such, this EIE will jointly serve as an EIS and will meet NEPA requirements. CTDOH has prepared this Draft EIS/EIE in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and HUD’s Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities (24 CFR 58).  Scoping for the Draft EIS / EIE formally began on February 27, 2018 when the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS was published in the Connecticut Environmental Monitor, which commenced a 30-day comment period to solicit public and agency input that lasted through March 28, 2018 and included a public scoping hearing on March 14, 2018.

The study area is situated within the South End neighborhood of the City of Bridgeport (see linked Figures 1 and 2), a peninsula of the Connecticut coastal region located between Cedar Creek, the Long Island Sound, and Bridgeport Harbor. Overall, the study area is a cross section of the residential, institutional, utility, and recreational uses that define the South End neighborhood, all of which are susceptible to acute and chronic flooding conditions due to a combination of inadequate stormwater infrastructure in the area and its coastal location.  

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to create a more resilient South End community, support its long-term viability, and improve health and safety for the community’s vulnerable populations. The principal targeted outcomes follow:

  • Lower the risk of acute and chronic flooding.
  • Provide dry egress during emergencies.
  • Educate the public about flood risks and sea level rise.

The Proposed Action will deliver additional benefits to the community, potentially unlocking development or public realm opportunities, enhancing connectivity between the South End and downtown Bridgeport (located north of the railroad and I-95), improving existing open space amenities, building up the resilience of local energy systems, and leveraging public investment in ongoing resiliency efforts through coordination with local stakeholders.

Project Maps: 

Figure 1 – Project Areas Map

Figure 2 – Project Location Map

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: March 18, 2019. The comment period for the CEPA was extended to the end of the 45-day NEPA comment period, which commenced on February 1, 2019 with the publication of the notice in the Federal Register.

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

Bridgeport City Hall
45 Lyon Terrace
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7081


Bridgeport Public Library Main Branch
925 Broad Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7400


Bridgeport Public Library Black Rock Branch
2705 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 576-7025


University of Bridgeport Magnus Wahlstrom Library
126 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-2388                                                                                                                 

Project Document Website at the Connecticut Department of Housing:

https://www.ct.gov/doh/cwp/view.asp?a=4513&q=588726

Project Documents Direct Links:

DEIS / EIE Document Chapters

DEIS / EIE Document Appendices

There will be a public informational workshop for this EIE on:

DATEFebruary 26, 2019

TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

PLACE: Schelfhaudt Gallery (84 Iranistan Avenue, Bridgeport, CT)

NOTES: This hearing serves as the public hearing required under NEPA. The public hearing will be followed by a design workshop where the public can provide further input into the design of the Resilient Bridgeport projects. The snow date for the public hearing and workshop is February 28, 2019.

Additional information about this project can be found online at:

https://www.ct.gov/doh/cwp/view.asp?a=4513&q=588726 and www.resilientbridgeport.com

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name:

Rebecca French, Director of Resilience

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Housing

Address:

505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106

E-Mail:

Rebecca.French@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact:

Name:

Rebecca French, Director of Resilience

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Housing

Address:

505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106

E-Mail:

Rebecca.French@ct.gov

Phone:

860-270-8231

Other information: N/A


2. Project Status Clarification Post EIE - Commuter Railroad Station Project - Barnum Avenue

Municipality where project was proposed: Bridgeport

Project History:  The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) originally proposed to construct a new commuter railroad station along the New Haven Line of Metro North Railroad in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  The station was proposed to be located on Barnum Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Pembroke Street.  An Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) was published and subsequently noticed in the Environmental Monitor on January 3, 2017. A public hearing for the EIE was conducted on February 7, 2017.

CTDOT has since determined that it is not currently in a financial position to undertake the project as proposed in the EIE, and has decided to defer the project in CTDOT's Capital Plan 2019-2023.  If CTDOT initiates the project in the future, an updated environmental analysis and public scoping process will take place at that time, as appropriate.  CTDOT's decision, as stated above, can be found in the Memo of Findings and Determination

Please note that the information in the attached Memo of Findings and Determination provides clarification and supersedes the notice that was posted in the January 22, 2019 edition of the Environmental Monitor.

Any questions can be directed to:

Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner II
Agency:
Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address:  2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Kevin.Fleming@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 594-2924

 


 

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, New Haven

Complete Address of Properties:Parcel 1-Waterfront Street, Parcel 4 -Sites Street@ Albia, Parcel 5-Alabama Street, Parcel 6- Former Edgemere Street

Number of acres to be transferred: Parcel 1- 1.49 AC; Parcel 4- .293 AC; Parcel 5 - .992 AC; Parcel 6 -.111 AC

Click to view map of site 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:

The parcels described above were purchas

ed for the reconstruction of the Quinnipiac River Bridge/New Haven Harbor Crossing Improvement Program. The project has been completed and the properties are considered in excess of DOT’s needs. DOT has transferred custody and control of the properties to DECD pursuant to CGS 13-a-80 with OPM approval under CGS 4-67g. DECD will utilize its statutory authority, CGS 32-228 to transfer the property to the CT Port Authority (CPA). CPA has a need to support the maritime in the New Haven port area. The DOT purchased the properties with federal FHWA funds and it is required to reimburse FHWA for any properties it sells. As such, it is expected that the CPA will purchase the properties and DOT will deposit the proceeds in the State Transportation Fund to reimburse FHWA.

The property to be transferred contains the following:

Active agriculture

Paved areas

Ponds, streams or other water

Water Supply:

  Public water supply   
 On-site well     
   Unknown      

Waste Disposal:

 Served by sewers     
 On-site septic system              
 Unknown 


Click to view aerial view of neighborhood and lots

The property is in the following municipal zone(s):

Not zoned

Residential

Industrial

Commercial

Institutional

Other:

Not known


Special features of the property, if known
: None

Value of property, if known:Appraised value for all 4 properties, at time of transfer to DECD, Total $751,000.
If checked, value is not known.

Links to other available information

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). Description of interest:

Proposed recipient, if known:Connecticut Port Authority.

Proposed use by property recipient, if known:CPA has a need to support the maritime and other related industries in the New Haven port area

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:The purpose of the transfer is to support maritime and other related industries in the New Haven port area

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on March 19th, 2019.

Comments may include information that you 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 :

Maya Loewenberg

Agency :

DECD

Address :

450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 5
Hartford, CT  06103-1843

E-Mail :

Maya.loewenberg@ct.gov

*E-Mail submissions are preferred.

(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 publication dates.

 


 
The Adobe Reader is necessary to view and print Adobe Acrobat documents, including some of the maps and illustrations that are linked to this publication. If you have an outdated version of Adobe Reader, it might cause pictures to display incompletely. To download up-to-date versions of the free software, click on the Get Acrobat button, below. This link will also provide information and instructions for downloading and installing the reader.

Button - Get Adobe Reader Download the free Acrobat Reader!Access.Adobe is a tool that allows blind and visually impaired users to read any documents in Adobe PDF format.  For more information, read the product overview at Adobe.com.