- I-95 Interchange 74 Improvements at Rt.161 and Bridge Replacement, East Lyme
- NEW! Emergency Interconnection between Norwich Public Utilities, Ledyard WPCA and Town of Preston
- NEW! University of Connecticut Ice Hockey Arena Development, Mansfield
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" 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 I-95 Interchange 74 Improvements at Route 161 and Replacement of Bridge No. 00250
Municipality where proposed project might be located: East Lyme
Project Description: The purpose of this project is to address vehicular safety on I-95 at Interchange 74 and address traffic operational concerns between Interchanges 74 and 75 in East Lyme. In addition, this project will address traffic operational concerns and improve safety for all roadway users (motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists) on Route 161 in the vicinity of the exit 74 interchange ramps. It is also proposed to replace the I-95 bridge (No. 00250) over Route 161 due to its poor condition and to accommodate the widening on Route 161.
Current deficiencies include substandard geometry on the I-95 freeway, substandard geometric features on Interchange 74 access ramps, poor conditions and features of Bridge No. 00250 (I-95 over Route 161) and a lack of auxiliary turn lanes/shoulders on Route 161.
The proposed improvements on I-95 include full reconstruction and widening to accommodate the revised ramp configurations, auxiliary lanes between exits 74 & 75 in each direction and the full replacement of the bridge over Route 161. As a result of the I-95 widening, the bridge over Pattagansett River will be extended and retaining walls will be constructed. At various locations within the project limits, the proposed improvements on I-95 will accommodate a future project to add a third lane.
The proposed southbound ramps will be realigned to terminate on a new frontage road to form a signalized “T” type intersection. This new frontage road will form a signalized “T” type intersection with a three-lane approach to Route 161 consisting of one left-turn lane and two right-turn lanes. Route 161 northbound at this new intersection will have a four-lane approach consisting of two exclusive left-turn lanes and two through lanes. The southbound Route 161 approach to this intersection will consist of two through lanes and exclusive turn lanes.
The terminus of the northbound I-95 exit 74 ramp will be relocated southerly to form a new signalized intersection with Route 161 and the Burger King Driveway. Vehicles on southbound Route 161 will be accessing I-95 northbound on a new entrance “loop” ramp approximately 500 feet south of its current location. The entrance ramp to I-95 northbound for vehicles on northbound Route 161 will be realigned slightly at its present location.
To address safety and traffic operations on Route 161, improvements include full reconstruction and widening to provide turn lanes, wider shoulders, and sidewalk connectivity within the project limits.
The right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements include total and partial property acquisitions, permanent easements, and temporary easements during construction. The existing non-access lines will be revised to accommodate the new proposed ramps.
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: Friday June 7, 2019
There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:
DATE: Thursday May 23, 2019
TIME: 6:30 P.M. Open Forum followed by a Formal Presentation at 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: East Lyme Middle School (Auditorium), 31 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357
NOTES: The meeting facility is ADA accessible. Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2243 at least five business days prior to the meeting. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Plans will be available at the Town Hall, Department of Planning & Zoning, and on the Town's website by May 9, 2019.
Written comments should be sent to:
| Name: | Ms. Susan M. Libatique, P.E., Transportation Principal Engineer |
| Agency: | Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546 |
| Address: | 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131-7546 |
| E-Mail: | Susan.Libatique@ct.gov |
| Name: | Mr. Ahsan K. Saghir, Transportation Engineer |
| Agency: | Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering & Construction |
| Address: | 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131 |
| Phone: | (860) 594-2076 |
| E-Mail: | Ahsan.Saghir@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: Ms. Alice M. Sexton, Principal Attorney
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: (860) 594-3045
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
2. 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
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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: |
Mr. Av Harris |
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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 |
3. 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:
DATE: Tuesday, 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: |
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| E-Mail: |
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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:
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Name: |
Public Records Administration |
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Agency: |
c/o University Communications |
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Address: |
34 North Eagleville Road, U-3144 |
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E-Mail: |
https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/ |
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Phone: |
(860) 486-5337 |
The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, date TBD.
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).
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