September 20, 2022
- Notice of Scoping for Norwalk First Taxing District - Grupes Dam Rehabilitation (REVISED), Norwalk/New Canaan.
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
- NEW! Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Kensington State Fish Hatchery Solar Project, Berlin.
- NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for the State of Connecticut Department of Correction Solar Projects at Cheshire.
- NEW! Post-Scoping Notice for the State of Connecticut Department of Correction Solar Projects at Enfield/Somers.
Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)
No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
- NEW! 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 the NVCOG Regional Wastewater Study; Derby, Ansonia, and Seymour.
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on October 4, 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 (REVISED)
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.
Scoping Notice: On July 5, 2022, the Department of Public Health published a Scoping Notice in the Environmental Monitor.A public scoping meeting was not initially anticipated. Subsequently, a public scoping meeting has been scheduled.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: September 19, 2022
TIME: 1:00
PLACE: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
NOTES: The meeting will be open to the public and is available by clicking on this link: Click here to join the meeting
Comments on the scoping for the proposed project/action can be submitted in writing until the close of business on: September 26, 2022.
Written comments 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 the 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.
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
1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Kensington State Fish Hatchery Solar Project, Berlin
Address:120 Old Hatchery Road, Kensington
Municipality: Berlin
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On December 7, 2021, the Department of Administrative Services published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this action in the Environmental Monitor. The Department of Administrative Services is unable to publish its determination regarding this action at this time.
Action Status: Awaiting additional information.
Estimated Publication Date: The Department of Administrative Services estimates that a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before October 18, 2022.
If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:
Name: Michael Barrera
Agency: Department of Administrative Services
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1501, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 713-526
E-Mail: Michael.Barrera@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The Department of Administrative Services 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 CEPA. A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.
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 the State of Connecticut Department of Correction Solar Projects at Cheshire
Addresses of possible locations: 900 Highland Ave and 42 Jarvis St.
Municipalities where the proposed action would be located: Cheshire
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On December 7, 2021, the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services posted a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections Solar projects at Cheshire locations in the Environmental Monitor.
A public scoping meeting was not requested.
Comments from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) were received during the public comment period, however no comments from the public were received during that time. A synopsis of the comments received and responses are included in the Environmental Review Checklist.
An initial review of the projects by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) resulted in the request for an archeological survey of the sites. After the completion of those surveys, SHPO determined that no additional archaeological investigation of the project area is warranted and that no historic properties will be affected by the proposed undertaking.
Based on the feedback received during the public comment period, the Department of Administrative Services has determined that an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) will not be required for the proposed State action. The agency’s conclusion is documented in the Environmental Review Checklist.
Agency Contact:
Name: Michael Barrera
Agency: Department of Administrative Services
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1501, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 713-5267
E-Mail: Michael.Barrera@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: Anthony Campanelli
Agency: Department of Corrections
Address: 24 Wolcott Hill Rd. Wethersfield, CT 06109
E-Mail: Anthony.campanelli@ct.gov
What Happens Next: CT DAS expects the proposed projects to go forward. This will be the final notice for these projects in the Environmental Monitor.
2. Post-Scoping Notice for the State of Connecticut Department of Correction Solar Projects at Enfield/Somers
Addresses of possible locations:
- Osborn – 335 Bilton Rd, Somers
- Enfield – 289 Shaker Rd, Enfield
- Willard - 391 Shaker Rd, Enfield
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Somers and Enfield
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On December 7, 2021, the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services posted a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections Solar projects at Enfield/Somers locations in the Environmental Monitor.
A public scoping meeting was not requested.
Comments from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) were received during the public comment period, however no comments from the public were received during that time. A synopsis of the comments received and responses are included in the Environmental Review Checklist.
An initial review of the projects by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) resulted in the request for an archeological survey of the sites. After the completion of those surveys, SHPO determined that no additional archaeological investigation of the project area is warranted and that no historic properties will be affected by the proposed undertaking.
Based on the feedback received during the public comment period, the Department of Administrative Services has determined that an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) will not be required for the proposed State action. The agency’s conclusion is documented in the Environmental Review Checklist.
Agency Contact:
Name: Michael Barrera
Agency: Department of Administrative Services
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1501, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 713-5267
E-Mail: Michael.Barrera@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: Anthony Campanelli
Agency: Department of Corrections
Address: 24 Wolcott Hill Rd. Wethersfield, CT 06109
E-Mail: Anthony.campanelli@ct.gov
What Happens Next: CT DAS expects the proposed projects to go forward. This will be the final notice for these projects 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
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) and record of decision are developed, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will determine if the EIE and the associated process are 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 the NVCOG Regional Wastewater Study
Addresses of Possible Project Location: Areas within studied municipal sewer service areas
Municipalities where proposed action will be located: The study included Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia, and Derby
CEPA Determination: On August 2, 2022, the Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection published a Record of Decision, a Supplement to the Record of Decision Project Information, and a Supplement to the Record of Decision Natural Diversity Database Consultation in the Environmental Monitor. The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has reviewed the Dept. 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 Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection's Record of Decision is adequate. OPM's conclusion is documented in the Review of the Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection's Record of Decision for the proposed action.
OPM contact:
Name: Bruce Wittchen
Agency: Office of Policy and Management
Address: 450 Capitol Ave, 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.
CEQ Contact Information
All inquiries and requests of the Council should be sent electronically to: paul.aresta@ct.gov.
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