July 19, 2022
- Notice of Scoping for Norwalk First Taxing District - Grupes Dam Rehabilitation, Norwalk/New Canaan.
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Rehabilitation of Bridge 00793A – Route 15 Northbound Over Quinnipiac River, Wallingford.
- NEW! Notice of Scoping for Properties at 18-20 and 30 Trinity Street in Hartford.
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 Wallens Hill Water Storage Tank, Winchester.
- NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for Crystal Lake Water Storage Tank, Winchester.
Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)
No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
- Record of Decision for Mirror Lake Improvements Project, University of Connecticut, Mansfield.
- NEW! The Office of Policy and Management's Review of the Record of Decision for Bridgeport Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan, Bridgeport.
No State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on August 2, 2022.
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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 Norwalk First Taxing District - Grupes Dam Rehabilitation
Addresses of possible locations: On Silvermine River, off Valley Road and Deep Valley Road in New Canaan
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Norwalk/New Canaan
Project Description:
Grupes Reservoir Dam impoundment serves as drinking supply water for the First Taxing District Water Department of Norwalk, Connecticut. Grupes Reservoir is the fourth of four reservoirs operated by the District along Silvermine River. Grupes Reservoir Dam was originally constructed in 1871 to impound the Grupes Reservoir as a drinking water supply for the City of Norwalk. Grupes Reservoir Dam is classified by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) dam safety regulations (RCSA 22a‐409) as a Class C, or "high hazard" dam, meaning that if the dam were to fail, it could result in probable loss of life, major damage to habitable structures and residences, damage to critical utilities and infrastructure, and great economic loss. As a Class C dam, a safety inspection of Grupes Reservoir Dam is performed by a Dam Safety Engineering consultant every 2 years. The information obtained from the inspections and studies generates recommendations for both short‐term and long‐term work necessary to maintain public safety and structural integrity as well as increase operational efficiency and District employee safety.
Potential work includes, but is not limited to:
- Raise the top of dam by 4 feet to elevation 306.0 with a cast‐in‐place concrete cap, and re‐grade at dam abutments to mitigate overtopping during the spillway design flood (spillway to remain at current elevation);
- Construct earthen embankment along east side of Grupes Reservoir and re‐grade existing high ground and access road to mitigate overtopping/flooding during the spillway design flood (spillway to remain at current elevation);
- Construct parapet / retaining walls along east side of Grupes Reservoir to mitigate overtopping/flooding during the spillway design flood;
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: August 5, 2022.
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping 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: July 15, 2022.
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
E-Mail: Dph.sourceprotection@ct.gov
If you have questions about a public meeting or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
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
E-Mail: eric.mcphee@ct.gov
Phone: 860-509-7333
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. John Tyler Castellanete
Agency: Department of Public Health, Hearing Office
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-Mail: DPH.foi@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-5682
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.
2. Notice of Scoping for Rehabilitation of Bridge 00793A – Route 15 Northbound Over Quinnipiac River
Address of possible location: The bridge is located approximately 1.4 miles south of Exit 66 on mile post 59.66.
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Wallingford
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the existing bridge. Constructed in 1946, the existing structure is comprised of two simply supported spans with a reinforced concrete deck supported by 5 rolled steel beams resting on reinforced concrete abutments and a reinforced concrete pier wall. The existing substructure is founded on timber piles. The existing structure has a maximum span of 51 feet and has a 31-foot curb-to-curb width and a bituminous concrete overlay with woven glass fabric waterproofing membrane. The existing structure length is 107 feet. The average daily traffic (ADT) is approximately 29,600 vehicles per day (2020). The concrete deck deterioration shows deep spalls with exposed rusted rebar and section loss.
The project is currently in the preliminary design phase. Since the deck was previously patched under a rehabilitation project and due to the extent of deterioration of the deck, a superstructure replacement is anticipated. The current proposed construction method is to demolish the existing bridge superstructure and replace the bridge. Based on the existing condition of the substructure and the fact that the substructure it is founded on piles, the existing substructure shall remain and be repaired as required. On the bridge, an existing historic open bridge rail resides on either side of the bridge. The bridge has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a potential Wilbur Cross Parkway Linear Historic District. As such, the proposed project will result in an Adverse Effect to historic properties due to the proposed replacement of the superstructure, including one of the character-defining features of the structure, the metal bridge railings. Coordination with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office is ongoing to determine any mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge.
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 August 19, 2022
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping 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: July 29,2022Other Information: A virtual public informational meeting was held on May 12, 2022. A report of the meeting can be found here. A recording of the meeting can be found here.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to (email preferred)
Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner
Agency: Department of Transportation Bureau of Policy and Planning
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov
If you have questions about the scoping for this project, contact (email preferred):
Name: Nicholas J. Martin, Transportation Engineer
Agency: Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3609
E-Mail: Nicholas.Martin@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: 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.
3. Notice of Scoping for Properties at 18-20 and 30 Trinity Street in Hartford
Addresses of possible location: 18-20 Trinity Street, and 30 Trinity Street
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Hartford
Project Description: The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is proposing the sale and transfer of the subject properties to a private developer who will restore the existing historic buildings into a mixed-use redevelopment consisting of approximately 110 apartment units, ground floor restaurant/retail space, an outdoor plaza and amenities for residents including co-working office space, a fitness center, a yoga studio, and a community room and rooftop garden at 18-20 Trinity Street.
Apartment units will include a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments consisting of 80% market rate and 20% affordable units restricted to those earning less than 60% of the area median income.
The proposal intends to utilize the properties’ existing 67 surface parking spaces, and to seek additional parking capacity through a shared parking arrangement on nearby property owned by the the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA).
The proposed project was selected in response to a DAS-issued Request for Proposals (RFP) which sought to transfer the properties to a private developer interested in redeveloping the subject properties for their highest and best use, consistent with the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut’s economic development goals.
The subject properties are also identified in the Bushnell Park South Master Plan developed by the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) and the City of Hartford.
The properties were previously published in the Environmental Monitor as a State Land Transfer Notice on March 16, 2021, in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47. No comments were received.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday, August 19, 2022.
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping 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: July 29, 2022.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to (email preferred):
Name: Matthew Pafford
Agency: Department of Administrative Services (DAS)
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT
E-Mail: matthew.pafford@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: Michael Barrera
Agency: Department of Administrative Services (DAS)
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT
E-Mail: michael.barrera@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 Wallens Hill Water Storage Tank
Address of Possible Project Location: 206 Wallens Street and 3 Stowe Rd
Municipality where project will be located: Winchester
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On March 22, 2022, 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 (DEEP) dated April 14, 2022, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under CEPA. The DPH will coordinate with the water utility 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 and 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# 12DWS, PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: 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: Mr. John Tyler Castellanete
Agency: Department of Public Health, Hearing Office
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: DPH.foi@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-5682
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.
2. Post-Scoping Notice for Crystal Lake Water Storage Tank
Address of Possible Project Location: 338 Winchester Rd
Municipality where project will be located: Winchester, CT
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On March 22, 2022, 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 (DEEP) dated April 14, 2022, it has been determined that the project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) under CEPA. The DPH will coordinate with the water utility 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 and 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# 12DWS, PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: 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: Mr. John Tyler Castellanete
Agency: Department of Public Health, Hearing Office
Address: 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
E-mail: DPH.foi@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-5682
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
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
1. Record of Decision for Mirror Lake Improvements Project
University of Connecticut
Project Location: Mansfield Road & Route 195
Municipality: Mansfield
Project Description:
Mirror Lake has been a beloved and historic campus landmark since 1922. After multiple decades of deferred maintenance; accumulating silt, sediment and pollutants; significant campus development within its watershed over the same period of time resulting in an undersized stormwater facility; and, a damaged spillway and a dam that recently received an elevated hazard classification, various improvements to Mirror Lake are now essential. Numerous studies recently completed for Mirror Lake – an unimplemented dredging plan in 2012, a campus master plan and water quality assessment in 2015, a campus drainage master plan in 2018, a dam inspection report in 2020, and a feasibility study in 2021 – each concluded with recommendations for the University to take action.
This project will design and construct improvements that were identified in the feasibility study and satisfy requirements of the campus drainage master plan in order to execute an MOU between UConn and DEEP and a master flood management certificate (FMC) for the Roberts Brook watershed. The proposed project consists of the following elements:
- Dam safety improvements, including replacing the existing spillway with a stepped spillway and raising the dam’s earthen embankment
- Stormwater management improvements, including the rerouting of several discharge points into sedimentation forebays and regrading of upstream and downstream slopes
- Dredging and improvements to aquatic ecosystems, including the use of hydraulic and mechanical dredging to remove accumulated sediments and restore the lake depth
- Landscape improvements, including littoral zone plantings and site-specific amenities that enhance cultural benefits and improve access to the water’s edge
The University has prepared responses to the substantive issues raised in the comments on the EIE and on supplemental materials or amendments. The University's conclusion is documented in the Record of Decisionfor the proposed action.
Agency contact:
Name: Ian Dann, Project Manager
Agency: University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction
Address: 3 Discovery Drive U-6038, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-6038
Phone: (860) 486-6503
E-Mail: ian.dann@uconn.edu
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted at https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request.
What happens next: The University has submitted the Record of Decision to the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for review. OPM's determination regarding the Record of Decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
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
1. The Office of Policy and Management's Review of the Record of Decision for Bridgeport Ox Brook Flood Control Master Plan
Address of Possible Project Location: 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
Municipality where proposed action will be located: Bridgeport
CEPA Determination: On June 21, 2022, the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection published a Record of Decision in the Environmental Monitor. The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has reviewed the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) and the associated process in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-1e and determined that the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's Record of Decision is adequate. OPM's conclusion is documented in the Review of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Record of Decision for the proposed action.
OPM contact:
Name: Bruce Wittchen
Agency: Office of Policy and Management
Address: 450 Capitol Ave, MS# 54ORG, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-418-6323
E-Mail: bruce.wittchen@ct.gov
What happens next: The proposed action is expected to proceed. This is the final notice for the proposed action to be published in the Environmental Monitor.
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: paul.aresta@ct.gov.
