Environmental Monitor
 
June 18, 2019
  

Special Notices

  1. Notice of Availability Long Island Sound Blue Plan

Scoping Notices

  1. Emergency Interconnection between Norwich Public Utilities, Ledyard WPCA and Town of Preston
  2. University of Connecticut Ice Hockey Arena Development, Mansfield

Post-Scoping Notices: Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) Not Required

  1. NEW! Major Intersection Improvements Route 34, Newtown
  1. REVISED WITH NEW COMMENT DEADLINE AND ONLINE EIE! Connecticut Training Center Real Property Master Plan EIE/EA, East Lyme, Lyme, Old Lyme, and East Haven 

State Land Transfers

  1.  Proposed Land Transfer #0 Riverside Drive, Milford
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on July 2, 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.

Special Notices

These are notices of State actions with potential environmental importance that are required to be posted by special legislation or are posted at the request of State agencies.


 

The Following Special Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


1. Notice of Availability Long Island Sound Blue Plan

The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) hereby gives notice that a draft of the Long Island Sound Blue Plan, together with the Long Island Sound Resource and Use Inventory and other supporting documents, are available for public review and comment. 

  The Blue Plan is a marine spatial planning process for Long Island Sound that was authorized by Section 25-157t of the Connecticut General Statutes (Connecticut Public Act 15-66). The intent of the Blue Plan is to plan and account for both the existing human uses of the Sound and the habitats and natural resources needed for marine life to thrive in the Sound.  Doing so will help ensure that: (a) the existing human uses and the habitats and natural resources and features of the Sound are protected and (b) any new and existing uses of the Sound will be compatible with each other and with the Sound’s habitats and natural resources.

The Blue Plan will not create new regulations; rather it will provide greater clarity and guidance for how decisions will be made under specified existing regulatory programs.  The Blue Plan's policies will provide the basis for existing permit programs identified by statute to achieve clearer and more certain protection of the economic, cultural, and ecological values of Long Island Sound, including existing traditional human uses and ecologically significant areas.  As such, the Blue Plan will serve as a guide to show what the applicable state and local permit decision-making processes will consider and be based upon.  This will provide new and better insight for stakeholders and applicants up-front.

The draft Blue Plan, together with the complete Long Island Sound Resource and Use Inventory and additional supporting and background information is available at http://www.ct.gov/deep/lisblueplan and in hard copy upon request to the address below.

INFORMATION REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
The success of the Blue Plan depends on the involvement of the general public and all stakeholders to make sure the Plan reflects the knowledge, perspectives, and needs of everyone whose lives are touched by Long Island Sound.  Interested parties are invited to review and comment on the draft Blue Plan and any other Blue Plan-related topics.  Please submit written comments to LIS Blue Plan, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127 or by email to DEEP.BluePlanLIS@ct.gov on or before June 21, 2019

Questions may be directed to David Blatt at (860) 424-3610 or to DEEP.BluePlanLIS@ct.gov.

 /s/Brian P. Thompson, Director

Land & Water Resources Division

Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request an accommodation contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov 


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 Emergency Interconnection between Norwich Public Utilities, Ledyard WPCA and the Town of Preston

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: Ledyard and Preston

Address of Possible Project Location: Poquetanuck Cove Bridge Crossing, Ledyard and Preston

Project Description: The City of Groton (City) is receiving financial assistance from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program for the Groton Utilities (GU) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Upgrade project. The proposed emergency interconnection between Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) and Ledyard WPCA is associated with WTP Upgrade project as it will enable GU to wheel water through the Ledyard WPCA distribution main to provide water supply to the NPU distribution system serving certain service areas of the Town of Preston, if needed in an emergency. This emergency interconnection project is essential to provide NPU with the ability to provide continuous water service to their customers in the Town of Preston in the event of an emergency. Although this emergency interconnection project is not receiving funding from the DWSRF program, it is being scoped due to its association with state grant funding that the City received for the GU WTP project.

The project comprises installation of new 16-inch diameter ductile iron water pipes totaling approximately 1224 lineal feet and associated appurtenances along Poquetanuck Cove Bridge between Ledyard and Preston in CT. The water mains have been minimally sized to meet the demands for domestic water use for the intended service areas and fire protection per the Town’s Fire Marshal requirement.

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: June 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  May 31, 2019.

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: 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:

Mr. Av Harris

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

2. Notice of Scoping for University of Connecticut Ice Hockey Arena Development 

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Mansfield

Address of Possible Project Location: 16-acres south of Jim Calhoun Way and southwest of the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum located at 509 Jim Calhoun Way on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus.

Project Description: The University of Connecticut (UConn) is planning development of a new ice hockey arena and surface parking on approximately 16 acres along Jim Calhoun Way on its main campus in Storrs. The site is about half developed today and consists primarily of a parking lot (Lot I), an isolated wetland, wet weather stormwater conveyance, and rolling, wooded uplands. Immediately east of and adjacent to Lot I is the existing Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum, a 1,650-seat ice hockey arena built in 1998 that UConn currently owns and operates.

In 2014, UConn’s Division 1 Men’s and Women’s ice hockey teams joined the Hockey East conference.  Because the current Freitas Ice Forum is too small and does not meet Hockey East standards and requirements to host UConn’s men’s hockey games, UConn has had to play almost all its home men’s hockey games in the XL Center in Hartford for the last four years.  The Hockey East Association requires teams in the conference to have facilities with at least 4,000 seats along with other amenities. UConn has obtained permission from Hockey East to build a smaller venue with 2,500 seats so long as the arena’s design allows for potential expansion to 3,500 seats in the future.

The new arena will host some men’s hockey games, all women’s hockey games and will also support UConn’s robust recreational ice hockey program.  Additionally, the new arena could by utilized by the University or to support community needs.  At a minimum, the new arena will have the following features:

  • Up to 3,500 seats, with at least 25% of the seats being seat-back chairs; the balance can be bleachers.
  • Arena facilities and ice that will meet all NCAA Division I Ice Hockey requirements, all Hockey East Conference standards, and all University guidelines and requirements.
  • A permanent locker room for both the UConn men’s and women’s ice hockey team, a Division 1 ice hockey team visitor’s locker room, two (2) other mid-sized locker rooms, and a small official’s locker room.
  • Five (5) offices dedicated for UConn’s use.
  • A scoreboard with video replay capability.
  • Parking for up to 700 vehicles.

To satisfy parking requirements, the existing surface lot will approximately double in size. The new capacity of Lot I, however, will not accommodate sellout events at the arena. During those events, UConn will rely on its other parking facilities and shuttle operations.

UConn is currently negotiating an agreement with a private developer who will design, construct, own and operate the new arena on UConn’s property. As currently contemplated, UConn will be in charge of maintaining the arena, while the developer would operate and manage it.  The targeted opening of the new arena is during the fall semester of 2021 and it will adhere to University design guidelines and performance standards for new construction.

Project Maps:  Click here to view a map of the project area.  Click here to view a preliminary concept plan of the proposed project.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  5pm, Friday, June 21, 2019

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

DATETuesday, June 11, 2019

TIME: 6:30 pm (Doors will be open at 6:00 pm)

PLACE: Konover Auditorium in the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, 405 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT

NOTES: Public parking in the South Garage, 2366 Jim Calhoun Way, Storrs, CT, adjacent to the UConn Bookstore on Hillside Road.

To watch the scoping meeting live online, please visithttp://www.kaltura.com/tiny/uyrei.

 

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

Name: John Robitaille, Sr. Project Manager
Agency: UConn | University Planning, Design and Construction
Address:   31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3038, Storrs, CT 06269-3038
Fax:
(860) 486-3117
E-Mail:
John.robitaille@uconn.edu 

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

Name: John Robitaille, Sr. Project Manager
Agency: UConn | University Planning, Design and Construction
Address:   31 LeDoyt Road, Unit 3038, Storrs, CT 06269-3038
Phone: (860) 486-5930
Fax: (860) 486-3117
E-Mail: john.robitaille@uconn.edu 

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:

Public Records Administration

Agency:

c/o University Communications

Address:

34 North Eagleville Road, U-3144

E-Mail:

https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/

Phone:

(860) 486-5337

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, date TBD.

 

 
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 Intersection Improvements on Route 34 at SR 490 (Wasserman Way) and Toddy Hill Road and SR 490 at I-84 Interchange 11 ramps.

Municipality where project will be located: Newtown

CEPA Determination:  On April 19, 2016 the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this project in the Environmental Monitor.  During the scoping period, CTDOT received comments from the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP), and the Department of Public Health (DPH) Drinking Water Section.  CTDOT has taken all comments into consideration and 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 Assessment Checklist

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

Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner II

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone: (860) 594-2924

E-Mail: Kevin.Fleming@ct.gov


What happens next:
The CTDOT 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 Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for Approval of the Connecticut Training Center Real Property Master Plan of the Connecticut Army National Guard

Municipalities where proposed project might be located:  East Lyme, Lyme, Old Lyme, and East Haven

Address of Possible Project Location: Stones Ranch Military Reservation, 10 Stone Ranch Road, East Lyme, CT 06333; Camp Niantic, 38 Smith Street, Niantic, CT 06357; East Haven Rifle Range, 591 N. High Street, East Haven, CT 06512

Project DescriptionThe Connecticut Military Department/Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) proposes to approve a new Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) for the Connecticut Training Center (CTC) consistent with the requirements of the US Department of Defense (DoD) Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 2-100-01, Installation Master Planning, which provides guidance for developing RPMPs for DoD installations. The Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of approving the UFC 2-100-01-compliant RPMP. The CTC comprises three noncontiguous installations: Stones Ranch Military Reservation, Camp Niantic, and East Haven Rifle Range. The RPMP is needed to comply with DoD Master Planning policy as well as to guide the CTARNG through the long-term development of the CTC in a clear, sustainable manner that supports the installations’ military missions. The Proposed Action would provide an updated master plan to guide the CTARNG’s mission at the CTC for the next 20 years using the latest techniques in planning.

Project Map: See Map.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  July 19, 2019

The public can view a copy of this EIE here, or at the locations listed below, where it will be available from June 5, 2019:

  • CTARNG Public Affairs Office, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105
  • East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357
  • Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT 06371
  • Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme, CT 06371
  • Hagaman Memorial Library, 227 Main Street, East Haven, CT 06512

If a public hearing is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a hearing.  Such requests must be made by: June 28, 2019.

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

Name:

Mr. Robert Dollak, Environmental Program Manager

Agency:

Connecticut Military Department/Connecticut Army National Guard

Address:  

360 Broad Street, Hartford CT 06105

Phone:

(860) 524-4945

E-Mail:

robert.f.dollak.nfg@mail.mil

If you have questions about this project, contact:

Name:

Mr. Robert Dollak, Environmental Program Manager

Agency:

Connecticut Military Department/Connecticut Army National Guard

Address:  

360 Broad Street, Hartford CT 06105

Phone:

(860) 524-4945

E-Mail:

robert.f.dollak.nfg@mail.mil


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 0 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, MILFORD, CT 06461

Commonly used name of property or other identifying information:  Assessor’s Lot 18-364-15

Number of acres to be transferred:  0.14 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:  

Vacant, nonconforming lot

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 photograph 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:  DEEP Natural Diversity.

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:  Surplus.

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on July 5, 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

Statewide 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.)


 
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