- Notice of Prescribed Burns, Pachaug State Forest, Griswold, Voluntown
- Derby Water Storage Tank, Derby
- Project Cancellation, Property Acquisition, Orange
- NEW! Safety and Operational Improvements on I-84, West Hartford
- Northwest Science Quad, University of Connecticut, Mansfield
- NEW! Resiliant Bridgeport, Bridgeport
- Extended Comment Period with Additional Information. 263 Migeon Ave, Torrington
"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 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
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| Address: | 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS |
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PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
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| 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
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| Address: |
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12DWS
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
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| 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:
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Name: |
Maura Downes |
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Agency: |
Department of Public Health |
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Address: |
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13CMN
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
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E-Mail: |
DPH.communications@ct.gov |
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Phone: |
860-509-7286 |
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:
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Name: |
Mr. Zack Hyde |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Office of Policy and Management |
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Address: |
450 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 |
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Phone: |
860-418-6261 |
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E-Mail: |
Zack.Hyde@ct.gov |
2. Post-Scoping Notice for Safety and Operational Improvements on I-84
Municipality where project will be located: West Hartford
CEPA Determination: On May 17, 2016 the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor. Comments were received from the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. No comments were received from the general public. CTDOT has taken the comments received into consideration and has concluded that the project does not require the preparation of Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA.
CTDOT's conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and Environmental Assessment Checklist.
If you have questions about the project, you can contact the agency at:
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Name: |
Kevin Fleming |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning |
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Address: |
2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131 |
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Phone: |
860-594-2924 |
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E-Mail: |
Kevin.Fleming@ct.gov |
What happens next: CTDOT expects the project to move 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).
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:
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Mansfield Town Clerk’s Office, Audrey P Beck Municipal Building, 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT
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Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Road, Mansfield, CT
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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:
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Name:
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Sean Vasington, Associate Director
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Agency:
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UConn - Planning Design, and Construction
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Address:
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31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3038, Storrs, CT 06269
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E-Mail:
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Phone:
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860 486-5865
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If you have questions about the public hearing, or other questions about the EIE, contact Mr. Vasington as directed above.
2. 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 2 – Project Location Map
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: February 22, 2019.
It should be noted that due to the ongoing Federal government shutdown, the required NEPA Notice of Availability for this DEIS cannot be published in the Federal Register concurrently with this Connecticut Environmental Monitor notice. Pursuant to NEPA, a required 45-day public comment period would commence upon the Notice of Availability’s publishing in the Federal Register. As such, it is anticipated that the NEPA public comment period for the DEIS would extend beyond the CEPA deadline of February 22, 2019, the exact length of which is dependent upon the ability to publish in the Federal Register. This does not change the anticipated public hearing date of February 12, 2019. The DEIS would still be available for public review at the physical and digital locations provided above during that time.
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 Appendices
There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:
DATE: February 12, 2019
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Schelfhaudt Gallery (84 Iranistan Avenue, Bridgeport, CT)
NOTES: The hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to submit comments on the DEIS orally and/or in writing. Comments on this DEIS will be recorded at the hearing. Those who do not wish to voice their comments publicly will be offered an opportunity to provide a private written or verbal comment at the meeting, or submit comments through the project website, email or by mail to CTDOH (see below).
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:
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Name: |
Rebecca French, Director of Resilience |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Department of Housing |
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Address: |
505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106 |
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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:
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Name: |
Rebecca French, Director of Resilience |
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Agency: |
Connecticut Department of Housing |
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Address: |
505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106 |
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E-Mail: |
Rebecca.French@ct.gov |
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Phone: |
860-270-8231 |
Other information: N/A
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:
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Structures: |
Buildings in use |
Buildings not in use |
No Structures |
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Other Features: |
Wooded land |
Nonagricultural fields |
Active agriculture |
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Paved areas |
Ponds, streams, other water, wetlands |
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Water Supply: |
Public water supply |
On-site well |
Unknown |
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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:
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Residential |
Industrial |
Commercial |
Institutional |
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Other: |
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Not zoned |
Not known |
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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:
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Name: |
Paul F. Hinsch |
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Agency: |
Office of Policy and Management |
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Bureau of Assets Management |
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Address: |
450 Capitol Avenue |
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Hartford, CT 06106-1379 |
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E-Mail: |
*E-Mail submissions are preferred.
Send copies of comments to:
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Name: |
Shane Mallory |
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Agency: |
Department of Administrative Services |
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Leasing & Property Transfer Unit |
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Address: |
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1402 |
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Hartford, CT 06103 |
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E-Mail: |
(Comments from state agencies must be on agency letterhead and signed by agency head. Scanned copies are preferred.)
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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