February 22, 2022
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment at the University of Connecticut, Mansfield.
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Route 85 Improvements - South of Route 82, Montville and Salem.
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
No notice for additional time has been submitted for publication in this edition.
- NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Suffield Wildlife Management Area Prescribed Burn, Suffield.
- NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Mirror Lake Improvements at the University of Connecticut, Mansfield.
Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)
- NEW! Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan, Bridgeport.
No Record of Decision Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
No Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on March 8, 2022.
Subscribe to e-alerts to receive an e-mail when the Environmental Monitor is published.
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
1. Notice of Scoping for Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment
at the University of Connecticut
Project Title: Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment
Address of Possible Location: 1 South Eagleville Road
Municipality Where Proposed Action Might be Located: Mansfield
Project Description:
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is planning a design-build project to redevelop the Mansfield Apartments complex at 1 South Eagleville Road. The property is roughly bounded by South Eagleville Road (SR-275) to the north, Storrs Road (SR-195) to the east, and Town open space known as the Albert E. Moss Sanctuary to the south and west. The existing 240-bed apartment complex includes townhouse style apartments originally constructed during the 1940’s and 1950’s. The facilities have reached the end of their useful life and the 16-acre property is proposed for redevelopment with two to four apartment buildings, site improvements and parking.
Known as the “Mansfield Apartments Redevelopment Project,” the Proposed Action to be assessed under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) process consists of the following elements:
- Redevelopment of existing apartment-style student housing comprised of approximately 300,000 gross square feet with up to 900 beds
- Site improvements and surface parking of up to 450 spaces
- Potential utility and infrastructure improvements
The Proposed Action is located in the Bundy Brook local watershed within the Fenton River sub-regional watershed. The Proposed Action was identified in the University’s Campus Master Plan 2015-2035. UConn will incorporate comments from a public scoping meeting and evaluate the Proposed Action with taking no action or other feasible alternatives. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with the Proposed Action will also be assessed.
Project Maps and Photos:
Click the following link for a general location of the project area: https://updc.uconn.edu/?p=2674
Written Comments:
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on March 24, 2022.
Public Scoping Meeting:
There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this proposed action.
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM (EST)
Place: Virtual
Notes: Participants MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE through the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hK5sGUXKRhCdJvzQ8No9uQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting (including an option to join by phone).
Additional information regarding the meeting, as well as a link to a recording of the meeting, will be posted at: https://updc.uconn.edu/mansfield-apts
Written Comments and/or Requests for Public Scoping Meeting Materials Should Be Sent by Fax or E-mail to:
Name: John Robitaille, AIA, CSI
Agency: University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction
Address: 31 LeDoyt Rd, Unit 3038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3038
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
What Happens Next: UConn will determine whether or not to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (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.
2. Notice of Scoping for Route 85 Improvements - South of Route 82
Addresses of possible locations: The project includes four separate segments along Route 85 south of Route 82. The limits begin just south of the intersection of Route 85 and Route 82 (Salem Four Corners Roundabout) and extends southerly to a point 800 feet south of the intersection with Lakewood Drive. This 5+ mile section of Route 85 is classified as a Principal Arterial and National Highway System Route, and functions as a major north-south route linking the New London and Hartford areas.
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Towns of Montville and Salem
Project Description: The proposed improvements include widening shoulders, upgrading guiderail, addressing vertical geometry deficiencies, addressing isolated drainage, accommodating bypass and bicycles, and constructing new climbing lanes where appropriate. The proposed work also includes the relocation of approximately 2000 feet of Route 161 from its present location to be realigned opposite with a local road named Deer Run. The new intersection of Route 85, Route 161, and Deer Run is proposed to be a single lane roundabout. The existing intersection of Route 85 at Grassy Hill Road and Chesterfield Road will be expanded to incorporate improved turning radii, auxiliary turning lanes, and a new traffic signal. Two bridges are proposed to be replaced, Route 85 over Fraser Brook (Bridge No. 02538) and Route 85 over Latimer Brook (Bridge No. 01248), to meet the latest design standards and upgraded Route 85 geometry. The project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80 percent Federal funds and 20 percent State funds.
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: Wednesday March 30, 2022.
There will be a virtual public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: Tuesday March 15, 2022
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Virtual Meeting
NOTES: The meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube Live. A Question and Answer session will immediately follow the presentation. Instructions on how to access the meeting and how to provide comments/ ask questions during the Q&A portion of the meeting will be available prior to the meeting on the project webpage: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTSalemMontville85-146.
Individuals with limited internet access may request that project information be mailed to them by contacting Mr. Jason A. Vincent by email at Jason.Vincent@ct.gov or by phone at (860) 594-2752. Allow one week for processing and delivery.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (888) 566-5916 and entering the Participant Code when prompted: 9977843. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT's Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
The MS Teams Live Event offers closed-captioning for the hearing impaired and non-English translation options. A recording of the formal presentation will be posted to YouTube following the event and closed-captioning (including non-English translation options) will be available at that time. The recording will also be available in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings here: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/general/CTDOT-VPIM-Library
Written comments, questions about the public meeting, or questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):
Name: Mr. Jason Vincent, Project Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOTProject85-146@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
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
1. Post-Scoping Notice for Suffield Wildlife Management Area Prescribed Burn
Address of Possible Project Location: 510 Babbs Road, West Suffield
Municipality where it would be located: Suffield
CEPA Determination: On December 21, 2022, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed action in the Environmental Monitor.
A public scoping meeting was held on January 24, 2022.
One written comment was received during the public comment period. The comment and response are here. One verbal comment to support the project was received during the Public Scoping Meeting.
After consideration of the comments received, DEEP has determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). The agency’s conclusion is documented in a Memo of Findings and Determination and an Environmental Review Checklist.
Agency contact:
Name: Tanner Steeves
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division
Address: 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough CT 06447
Phone: 860-424-4164
E-Mail: tanner.steeves@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.
What Happens Next:
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection expects the proposed action to go forward. No future notices will be posted in the Environmental Monitor.
2. Post-Scoping Notice for Mirror Lake Improvements at the University of Connecticut
Project Title: Mirror Lake Improvements
Address of Possible Project Location: Mansfield Road at the University of Connecticut, Storrs
Municipality where it would be located: Mansfield
CEPA Determination: The Mirror Lake Improvements project recently completed a preliminary design phase. Beginning on November 16, 2021, the University of Connecticut published the first of three Notices of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed action in the Environmental Monitor.A public scoping meeting was held virtually on December 8, 2021 and the 30-day comment period closed on December 16, 2021.
Comments were received from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the State Historic Preservation Office, and Preservation Connecticut during the public comment period. A summary of comments and responses may be found at updc.uconn.edu/mirror-lake.
Upon consideration of the comments received, the University of Connecticut has determined to proceed with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE).
Agency contact:
Name: James Libby, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Agency:University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction
Address:31 LeDoyt Rd, Unit 3038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3038
Phone:(860) 486-3117
E-Mail:james.libby@uconn.edu
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted at publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request.
What Happens Next: The Mirror Lake Improvements project has just completed Schematic Design and is scheduled to conclude two subsequent design phases by Fall 2022. The University anticipates construction to begin in Spring 2023 and complete in Fall 2024.
The University of Connecticut is preparing an EIE and is continuing engineering design of the proposed Mirror Lake Improvements project. When the EIE is completed, it will be published in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor and presented for public comment.
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
1. Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan
Addresses of Possible Project Locations: Various locations along Ox Brook in the City of Bridgeport, extending from Elton Rogers Park at the north end to Lincoln Boulevard at the south end of the Project (see the attached figures).
Municipality where proposed action is to be located: Bridgeport
Project Description: The Ox Brook corridor in the City of Bridgeport has been subject to repeated flooding over a period of decades and the area has been studied since the 1970s. Flooding along Ox Brook has resulted in repeated damages to residential properties and commercial and industrial businesses, infrastructure damages, roadway and sidewalk closures and detours, emergency response needs, health hazards for residents, among other impacts.
The Proposed Action is the implementation of the Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan, a six‐phase project, to alleviate chronic flooding along the Ox Brook corridor. Phase 1 of the project is currently funded by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), which is the Sponsoring Agency for the Project. There is no Participating Agency.
The project is located generally along Ox Brook in the City of Bridgeport, CT, roughly extending from Elton Rogers Park at the north (upstream) end (off Kaechele Place) to Lincoln Boulevard at the south (downstream) end (between Lincoln Ave. and Garfield Ave.). Phase 1 of the Project has progressed through permitting level design with permit applications submitted, while the remaining Phases (Phases 2‐6) are at the preliminary design phase. The overall Project is anticipated to take decades to complete and funding has only been identified for Phase 1 at this time. The six phases are as follows:
• Phase 1: Dam rehabilitation and detention area construction at Elton Rogers Park;
• Phase 2: Construction of a diversion to the Svihra Park area and detention area construction;
• Phase 3: Channel and crossing improvements from Lincoln Boulevard to Quince Street;
• Phase 4: Channel and crossing improvements from Rocton Avenue to Burnsford Avenue;
• Phase 5: Channel and crossing improvements from Burnsford Avenue to Lourmel Street; and
• Phase 6: Construction of the Island Brook diversion to the Elton Rogers detention area, additional excavation within the Elton Rogers Park impoundment area to increase stormwater detention storage, and connection of a new discharge from the dam to Lourmel Street.
Project Maps: Click here to view a Locus Map. Click here to view a Project Phasing Plan, showing the general location of the Project Area and Project Phases.
Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Scoping Notice on October 5, 2021 and a Post-Scoping Notice on December 7, 2021, for the proposed project in the Environmental Monitor.
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: April 11, 2022.
The public can view a copy of this EIE at this link or at the following webpage for DEEP's Public Notices, or hard copy at the following locations:
• Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection office (see DEEP contact information below to request an appointment),
• Bridgeport City Hall Town Clerk’s Office, Bridgeport City Hall Room 122, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (call 203-576-7208 to make an appointment), and
• Bridgeport Public Library - North Branch, 3455 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606
Other information:
There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:
DATE: Tuesday, March 29, 2022
TIME: 7:00 pm EST
PLACE: Virtual
NOTES: The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and can be accessed by the following link and passcode:
https://gza.zoom.us/j/95677983752
Meeting ID: 956 7798 3752
Passcode: 873651
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling 1-646-876-9923 and entering the Meeting ID/Participant Code when prompted: 956 7798 3752
Written comments and/or questions about the meeting, project, or the EIE for this project should be sent to the following (email preferred) (Please use “OX BROOK” in the subject line):
Name: Fred Riese
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106
E-Mail: Frederick.Riese@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-4110
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
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
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.
CEPA Project Inventory
The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) maintains a list of projects they have entered the CEPA process. It shows each project's status. The inventory can be found here.
All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: peter.hearn@ct.gov.
