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June 8, 2021

Scoping Notice

  1. Cancellation of Notice of Scoping for Connecticut State Police Firearms Training Facility Relocation, East Windsor and Willington.
  2. Cancellation of Notice of Scoping for Connecticut State Police Firearms Training Facility Relocation, Griswold.
  3. Notice of Scoping for Replacement of Bridge No. 04152, West Cedar Street over Five Mile River, Norwalk.
  4. NEW! Cancellation Notice for Additional Landings of Helicopters at East Haven Rifle Range, East Haven.
  5. NEW! Notice of Scoping for Hop River State Park Trail, Columbia and Coventry.

Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)

    No notice for additional time has been submitted for publication in this edition.

Post-Scoping Notice

  1. NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Countryside Drive Association Consolidation with Norwich Public Utilities, Norwich.

Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)

  1. NEW! Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for City of Bridgeport Facilities Planning for East Side and West Side Wastewater Treatment Plants, Bridgeport.

Agency Record of Decision

    No Record of Decision has been submitted for publication in this edition.

OPM Determination of Adequacy

    No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

State Land Transfer

    No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

 

The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on June 22, 2021.
 
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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 Notice

"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. Read More


The following Scoping Notices have been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Cancellation of Notice of Scoping for Connecticut State Police Firearms Training Facility Relocation

Addresses of Possible Project Locations:  Apothecaries Hall Road & Windsorville Road, East Windsor (“East Windsor Site”); Ruby Road, Willington (“Willington – Ruby Site”); and Eldredge Mills Road, Willington (“Willington – Eldredge Site”).

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: East Windsor and Willington

Project History:  The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (CTDESPP), Division of State Police (CSP) originally proposed to relocate its existing Firearms Training Facility and Program located on Nod Road in Simsbury to a new site. The proposed sites were:

  • East Windsor Site: located south of Apothecaries Hall Road, west of Windsorville Road, and east of a railroad line.  The site was comprised of two parcels: parcel IDs: 048-65-007 (124.8 acres) and 057-65-001 (98 acres).  Total Site acreage: 222.8 acres.
  • Willington – Ruby Site: located east of Ruby Road (Route 320) and north of Cosgrove Road.  The site was comprised of two parcels: parcel IDs: 33/019-00 (315.99 acres) and 33/017-00 (10.59 acres).  Total Site acreage: 326.58 acres.
  • Willington – Eldredge Site: located at the end of Eldredge Mills Road (west of Ruby Road [Route 320]) and east of River Road.  The site was comprised of three parcels: parcel IDs: 33/004-00 (105.71 acres), 33/012-00 (41.7 acres), and 33/001-00 (5.61 acres).  Total Site acreage: 153.02 acres.

Agency Determination: The CTDESPP, CSP has since determined it is not feasible to undertake the project, as described the last time a notice appeared in the Environmental Monitor on May 5, 2015, because of issues unrelated to the environmental review requirements of the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA).

Any questions can be directed to:

Name:

David H Barkin FAIA, Chief Architect

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, Construction Services

Address:

450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103

E-Mail:

david.barkin@ct.gov

Phone:

(860) 713-5631

What Happens Next: The proposed project is cancelled. Should the project be proposed at a future date, the CEPA process will be initiated again with a new Scoping Notice announcing that intent.


2. Cancellation of Notice of Scoping for Connecticut State Police Firearms Training Facility Relocation

Addresses of Possible Project Locations:  100 and 101 Lee Road

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: Griswold

Project History:  The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of State Police originally proposed to relocate its existing Firearms Training Facility and Program, currently located on Nod Road in Simsbury, to a 110± site at 100 and 101 Lee Road in Griswold, CT.

Agency Determination: The DESPP has since determined it is not feasible to undertake the project, as described the last time a notice appeared in the Environmental Monitor on May 22, 2018, because of issues unrelated to the environmental review requirements of the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA).

Any questions can be directed to:

Name:

David H Barkin FAIA, Chief Architect

Agency:

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, Construction Services

Address:

450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103

E-Mail:

david.barkin@ct.gov

Phone:

(860) 713-5631

What Happens Next: The proposed project is cancelled. Should the project be proposed at a future date, the CEPA process will be initiated again with a new Scoping Notice announcing that intent.


3. Notice of Scoping for Replacement of Bridge No. 04152, West Cedar Street over Five Mile River

Address of possible location:  West Cedar Street over Five Mile River approximately 800 feet west of Richards Avenue

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Norwalk

Project Description: Bridge No. 04152 is a single span structure that was constructed in 1910 and is comprised of a stone masonry arch supported by stone masonry abutments. The total structure length and width measure 28 feet and 22 feet, respectively. The bridge roadway has a curb-to-curb width of 19 feet, and an approach width of 19 feet. The bridge and approach roadways provide for two narrow lanes (one in each direction) of vehicular traffic. There are no shoulders on either side, and there are no pavement markings spanning the bridge. A pedestrian walkway structure comprised of timber decking on steel beams supported by extensions of the bridge stone masonry substructure abuts the southerly bridge fascia.

The bridge is functionally obsolete due to its Deck Geometry Appraisal Rating and its Approach Roadway Alignment Appraisal Rating. Given the relatively high Average Daily Traffic of 4,728 (2016 data), a 28-foot clear bridge roadway width is required to satisfy minimum functional sufficiency criteria for Deck Geometry rating. The functionally obsolete Deck Geometry rating precipitates the functionally obsolete Approach Roadway Alignment rating because the narrow bridge creates a significant reduction in vehicle operating speed from that which is characteristic of West Cedar Street. The bridge is also vulnerable to scour, which is evidenced by the presence of localized scour holes that have exposed the abutment footings.   

Based on the functional obsolescence and scour critical classification of the existing bridge, the project involves a full replacement of the structure. It is anticipated that the proposed replacement bridge will be a clear span structure of a curb-to-curb width that satisfies minimum functional sufficiency criteria and current geometric design standards. It is likely that the new bridge will also accommodate an inboard sidewalk along the south side as opposed to the present separate sidewalk structure configuration.

The existing bridge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (CTSHPO) has determined that its replacement will result in an Adverse Effect to historic properties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  CTDOT will work with CTSHPO to develop the mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge.  

Project MapClick here to view a map of the project area.

Project Photographs: Click here to view photographs of the Bridge.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday, June 18, 2021

Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the contact 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, May 28, 2021.

 

A Virtual Public Information Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.  Meeting Minutes can be viewed by Clicking Here.

 

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting (E-mail preferred) should be sent to:

Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: dot.EnvironmentalPlanning@ct.gov  

If you have questions about this project, contact (E-Mail preferred):

Name: Marc Byrnes, P.E., Project Engineer

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Division of Bridges

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone: 860-594-3489

E-Mail: Marc.Byrnes@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

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov

What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.


4. Cancellation Notice for Additional Landings of Helicopters at East Haven Rifle Range

Address591 North High Street

Municipality where it would have been located: East Haven

Agency Determination: The Military Department has decidedto cancel the additional helicopter landings, as described the last time a notice appeared in the Environmental Monitor on July 19, 2016, because of issues unrelated to the environmental review requirements of the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA), including but not limited to, additional helicopter landings are no longer required.

Agency contact:

Name: Robert Dollak

Agency: Connecticut Military Department

Address: 360 Broad Street, Hartford Armory. Hartford, Connecticut

Phone: 860-524-4945

E-Mail: robert.f.dollak.nfg@mail.mil

What Happens Next: The proposed project is cancelled. Should the project be proposed at a future date, the CEPA process will be initiated again with a new Scoping Notice announcing that intent.


5. Notice of Scoping for Hop River State Park Trail

Municipalities where proposed action might be locatedColumbia and Coventry

Project Description: The project is located on the existing Hop River State Park Trail, beginning at its current terminus on Kings Road in Coventry and extending easterly to the trail bridge over the Willimantic River in Columbia.  The total length of the project is approximately 4,400 feet.

The project includes the construction of a multi-use trail with a 10 foot wide stone dust surface.  Also included in the project, is the construction of a new bridge over the Hop River, just east of Kings Road in Coventry, to replace a former railroad bridge (No. 2.53) that has failed, the replacement of a short bridge (referred to as a "cattle crossing") with concrete pipes, and the replacement of a culvert under Flanders Road in Columbia with a larger one.  Signage, fencing, bollards, landscaping, and access control gates will be installed throughout the project limits as appropriate.  The addition of a parking lot to the project is being considered north of where Route 66 passes over the Willimantic River.  The bridge and the trail lie within right of way owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 

Bridge No. 2.53 is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and the CT State Historic Preservation Office (CTSHPO) has determined that its replacement will result in an Adverse Effect to Historic Properties.  CTDOT will work with CTSHPO to implement the proposed mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge. The SHPO determination including the proposed mitigation measures can be Bridge No. 2.53 is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and the CT State Historic Preservation Office (CTSHPO) has determined that its replacement will result in an Adverse Effect to Historic Properties.  CTDOT will work with CTSHPO to implement the proposed mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge. The CTSHPO determination, including the proposed mitigation measures, can be found by clicking here

Project MapClick here to view a map of the project area and Click here for a picture of Bridge No. 2.53.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday July 9, 2021

Any person may 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 June 18, 2021.

A Public Informational Meeting was previously held on June 25, 2019 and the Meeting Minutes can be accessed here.

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting (E-Mail preferred) should be sent to:

Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Planning

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: dot.EnvironmentalPlanning@ct.gov

If you have questions about the project, contact (E-Mail preferred):

Name: Scott Roberts, P.E., Project Manager

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone: 860-594-3232

E-Mail: Scott.Roberts@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

Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov

What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.

 


Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)

If an agency is unable to publish a Post-Scoping Notice within six months after the comment period for scoping, the agency will publish an update with an action status and an estimate as to when a Post-Scoping Notice will be published. Such an update will be published by the agency at six-month intervals until the Post-Scoping Notice is published. Read More


No notice for additional time has been submitted for publication in this edition.


Post-Scoping Notice

A Post-Scoping Notice is the determination by a sponsoring agency, after publication of a Scoping Notice and consideration of comments received, whether an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) needs to be prepared for a proposed State action. Read More


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

1. Post-Scoping Notice for Countryside Drive Association Consolidation with Norwich Public Utilities

Municipality where project will be located: Norwich

Address of Possible Project Location: Evergreen Street, Sunrise Street, & Lawler Lane

CEPA Determination: On March 16, 2021, 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 dated April 5, 2021, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation under CEPA. The DPH will coordinate with Norwich Public Utilities 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 an Environmental Review Checklist.

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#12DWSPO Box 340308
                        Hartford, CT  06134-0308

Email:            DPH.SourceProtection@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. Olinda Morales

Agency:       Department of Public Health

Address:     410 Capitol Avenue, MS#13PHOPO Box 340308

                    Hartford, CT  06134-0308

Email:        DPH.FOI@ct.gov

Phone:       860-509-7566

Fax:           860-707-1944

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.

 


EIE Notice

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)Read More 


The following EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

1. Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for City of Bridgeport Facilities Planning for East Side and West Side Wastewater Treatment Plants

Addresses of Possible Project Locations:  East Side WPCF, 695 Seaview Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607 and West Side WPCF, 205 Botswick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607

Municipality where proposed action is to be located: Bridgeport

Project Description: The scoping notice for this project was published in the October 6, 2020 edition of the Environmental Monitor and a virtual public scoping meeting was held on October 29, 2020. The post scoping notice for this project was published January 5, 2021.

The City of Bridgeport owns and operates two wastewater treatment plants that serve the combined sewer overflow (CSO) community, where both sanitary sewage and stormwater are carried in a single pipe. The wastewater treatment plants are the subject of Administrative Order AOWRMU19001 issued by DEEP on March 1, 2019. In response to this order, a facilities plan was submitted to DEEP on November 24, 2020. Through the Council on Environmental Quality website, the engineering report was submitted for scoping and post-scoping, and a Public Hearing was held. Based on the engineering report, comments received during scoping and post-scoping, and comments from the public hearing, an environmental impact evaluation was completed.  

Updates will be made to two wastewater treatment plants (the 13.9-acre West Side plant and the 8.3-acre East Side plant) in southern Bridgeport to bring the facilities into compliance with public safety and environmental health compliance. Work will include the retention and retrofitting of much of the existing facilities, as well as the construction of new buildings, and demolition of several buildings and structures on the sites which will occur entirely within the current parcel boundary. Following local and state approvals of the concepts, the design phase is expected to start Spring 2021 with completion of both plants expected by October 2028.

The City of Bridgeport is already under an enforcement action to upgrade both wastewater treatment plants. The enforcement will be updated to memorialize the schedule of the treatment plant upgrades.

Project Map: Map of Project Area

The public can view a copy of this EIE here.

Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Scoping Notice on October 6, 2020 and a Post-Scoping Notice on January 5, 2021 for the proposed project in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business onFriday, July 23, 2021

A public hearing may be requested by 25 persons or by an association having more than 25 members within 10 days of this notice's publication, June 18, 2021. If you have questions about a public hearing, or other questions about this project, contact Ms. Straut, as directed below.

 

Send your written comments via email about this EIE to:

Name: Ann Straut, Sanitary Engineer 3

Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

E-Mail: ann.straut@ct.gov

If you have questions about this EIE, or similar matters, please contact:

Name: Ann Straut, Sanitary Engineer 3

Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106

E-Mail: ann.straut@ct.gov


What happens next: 
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. DEEP will prepare responses to the substantive issues raised in review of and comment on the EIE and any supplemental materials or amendments. Those responses and all supplemental materials and comments shall be made available in a "Record of Decision" which will appear in the Environmental Monitor for public inspection.

 


Agency Record of Decision

After an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed, an agency will prepare a concise public record of decision, which takes into consideration the agency’s findings in the EIE, and any comments received on that evaluation. Read More 


No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


OPM's Determination of Adequacy

After an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) is developed. the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will determine if the EIE is adequate. If not, OPM will specify the areas of inadequacy with reference to CEPA or the CEPA regulations and specify the corrective action required. Read More 


No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


State Land Transfer Notice

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


No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.


 

CEPA Project Inventory

The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) maintains a list of projects the have entered the CEPA process. It shows each project's status. The inventory can be found here.


CEQ Contact Information

All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: peter.hearn@ct.gov.


 

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