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November 21, 2023

Scoping Notice

  1. Notice of Scoping for Relocation of Route 8 Southbound (SB) Interchange 34, Waterbury.
  2. Notice of Scoping for Naugatuck Railroad Station Relocation, Naugatuck.
  3. Notice of Scoping for Scovil Mill Project, Haddam.
  4. NEW! Notice of Scoping for Church Street Commons, Hebron.
  5. NEW! Notice of Scoping for Oak Park, Stamford.

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

  1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Track Improvement and Mobility Enhancement (TIME 1): Metro North Railroad, Bridgeport and Stratford.

Post-Scoping Notice

   No Post Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.

Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)

  1. NEW! Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Bozrah’s Sanitary Sewer Extension, Bozrah and Franklin.

Agency Record of Decision

     No Record of Decision Notice 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 December 5, 2023.

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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. Notice of Scoping for Relocation of Route 8 Southbound (SB) Interchange 34

Address of possible location: Route 8 in the southbound (SB) direction and on the local roadway network within the vicinity of Interchange 35 On-ramp (Route 73) and Interchange 34 Off-ramp. The proposed project area encompasses Route 8 SB from Mile Marker 31.56 to Mile Marker 30.62. The existing Interchange 35 On-Ramp begins at E. Aurora Street. The existing Interchange 34 Off-Ramp terminates at West Main Street. The local roadway network of interest extends from E. Aurora Street to the north, West Main Street to the south, Grandview Avenue to the west and northbound (NB) Watertown Avenue to the east.

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Waterbury

Project Description: The purpose of this project isto improve safety, traffic flow, and air quality by reducing traffic congestion on West Main Street and Route 8 SB in the vicinity of Interchanges 34 and 35. Currently, Watertown Avenue is a separated pair of one-way roads between West Main Street and Robbins Street with SB Watertown Avenue located west of Route 8 and NB Watertown Avenue located east of Route 8. Immediately to the west of Route 8, the SB Watertown Avenue and Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp approach West Main Street adjacent to but separated from each other. 

This project proposes to relocate the Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp from the current terminus at West Main Street further north to the intersection of Robbins Street at Watertown Avenue to improve traffic operations along the West Main Street corridor. The existing Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp will be repurposed to convert SB Watertown Avenue to a bi-directional roadway. The existing NB Watertown Avenue alignment to the east of Route 8 will be closed; the on-ramp to Route 8 NB will remain open. Additional lane configuration and traffic signal improvements would be provided at the project intersections of West Main Street at Watertown Avenue and Riverside Streets. The intersection of West Main Street at Highland Avenue, located to the west, is proposed to convert to traffic signal control with lane configuration improvements. Intersection improvements, including a new traffic signal, are also proposed at the intersection of Watertown Avenue at Robbins Street and the realigned Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp. To accommodate the relocation of the Route 8 SB Interchange 34 Off-Ramp further north, modifications are also proposed to the Route 8 SB Interchange 35 On-Ramp to extend the auxiliary lane between the Interchange 35 On-Ramp and Interchange 34 Off-Ramp. 

Project MapClick 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: Thursday, November 30, 2023.

There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:

DATEWednesday, November 15, 2023

TIME6:00 p.m. 

PLACEChase Park House, 150 Sunnyside Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06708

NOTES: The meeting location is ADA accessible.  Language assistance, including American Sign Language, may be requested by contacting CTDOT's Language Assistance Call Line at (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.

Comments/questions about the public meeting, or comments/questions about the project should be sent to (email preferred):

Name: Mr. Jonathan Dean, Project Manager

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

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: Jonathan.Dean@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.


2. Notice of Scoping for Naugatuck Railroad Station Relocation

Address of possible locationWater Street extension between Maple Street and Rubber Avenue, across from Old Firehouse Road. 

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Naugatuck

Project Description: The Naugatuck Rail Station project involves relocating the Naugatuck Station approximately 0.3 miles south of the existing station on the New Haven Line (Waterbury Branch). The proposed project consists of a new platform and canopy, a new elevator and stair tower, and associated site work. The station will include a new 350’ high-level heated fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) platform with an integral heating system along approximately the full length. The platform will be able to accommodate up to a 4-car trainset with 350 feet in length to allow level boarding. Proposed platform amenities include canopies, wind screens, benches, and lighting. The station platform and connecting stair towers will include energy efficient LED lighting that is specifically designed to control the spread of light onto adjacent properties. Passenger information displays are also proposed at the station. Commuters would be able to connect directly to an enclosed structure two-story elevator tower connecting the drop-off area to the platform with ticket vending machines. 

Project Maps/PlansClick here to view a map of the project area. Click here to view a proposed site plan. 

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Wednesday, November 29, 2023.

There will be a virtual public scoping meeting for this proposed action:

DATEWednesday November 15, 2023

TIME6:30 p.m.

PLACEVirtual

NOTES: Please register for the virtual meeting by Clicking here. Registration is required to participate. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the meeting. 

This meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube, and closed captioning will be available. Non-English translation options will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be available on CTDOT’s YouTube Virtual Public Information Meeting playlist:  https://portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.

 

Persons with limited internet access, use the call-in number 877-853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 823 7970 6049. Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Richard Bertoli at DOTProject0304-0029@ct.gov or 860-594-2020.

 

Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).

 

Language assistance may be requested by contacting CTDOT's Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five 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.

   

Comments/questions about the project or the scoping meeting should be sent to (email preferred):

Name: Mr. Richard Bertoli, Project Manager

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

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone:860-594-2020

E-Mail: DOTProject0304-0029@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.


3. Notice of Scoping for Former Scovil Mill Remediation Project

Address of possible location: 11 Candlewood Hill Road

 

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Haddam

 

Project Description: Town of Haddam has been awarded a grant of $1,800,000 to abate and remediate two former mill buildings that were part of the D&H Scoville Hoe Company Mill. The remediation will consist of capping of contaminated soils, construction of engineered controls and/or soil excavation.  Following remediation, the Development Partner plans include the adaptive reuse of the existing buildings for commercial purposes, to support the revitalization of Higganum’s Village Center.  

 

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: December 7, 2023

 

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: November 17, 2023.

 

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to

Name: Jennifer Schneider

Agency: Department of Economic and Community Development

Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103

E-Mail: Jennifer.Schneider@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: Mark Burno

Agency: Department of Economic and Community Development

Address: 450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 5, Hartford, CT 06103

E-Mail: Mark.Burno@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. Notice of Scoping for Church Street Commons

Address of possible location60 Church Street. Hebron, CT

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Hebron
 
Project Description: The Commons CDC in Hebron is planning to create up to 51 units of affordable and mixed-income housing on its property which will consist of 50 units of new construction and 1 renovated unit. This development would help meet the identified need for affordable housing in a town in which less than three (3) percent of its housing is deemed affordable. The site is on three (3) acres of land that is bordered by a baseball field and elementary school grounds to the south, nature preserve to the west, open land owned by St. Peter's Church to the north, and route 85 on the east. The site is currently owned by St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The parish has a contract on a Lease Option with Commons CDC that will convert to a 99-year long-term lease at closing. The development team has identified a need to determine the capacity for a well water source on the site and has engaged the CT Water Company in this analysis. A site evaluation is still needed. The site was used for farming up until the early 1900s. The rectory is likely to have lead paint or other possible hazardous material. The former site of a barn that stored farm equipment behind the rectory may have some soil concerns that will need investigation. The site is currently zoned residential as it has been for over 100 years. The goal is to work collaboratively with the Hebron Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) to create a friendly 8-30G zoning variance. The PZC has indicated a willingness to work with Commons CDC in a collaborative manner following an initial presentation to the Commission. This work has yet to be formally initiated. 
 
Project MapClick 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: December 21, 2023.

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: December 1st, 2023.

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to:

Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing

Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing

Address:  505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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.


5. Notice of Scoping for Oak Park

Addresses of possible locations: 168-202 Ursula Place, 51-75 Dale Street, 346-368 Cove Road, Stamford CT 06902

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Stamford

Project Description: Oak Park Phase 1 (OP1) is the first phase of a multi-phased redevelopment of an existing 168 -unit family community consisting of one and 2-story garden style buildings. The OP1 development will focus on the construction of a multifamily building, (7) townhouse style buildings, site work improvements including the installation of drainage infrastructure and landscaping. There will be a total of 61 residential units in OP1. The three-story tall multifamily elevatored building will contain (16) one-bedroom units, (4) two-bedroom units, (6) three-bedroom units, offices, and community space. The townhouse buildings will consist of 35-units (28 two-bedroom and 7 three-bedroom).  

Two additional phases are planned for future Oak Park redevelopment. Phase 2 is located to the north of Phase 1 and will consist of (7) townhouse style buildings containing (43) units which will include (34) two-bedroom and (9) three-bedrooms units.  A playground for children ages 5 to 12 will be constructed in this phase.  Phase 3 is located to the south of Phase 2 and will consist of (13) townhouse style buildings containing (62) units. There will be (48) two-bedroom and (14) three-bedroom units in this phase. In Phase 2 and 3, site work improvements and landscaping, as described for Phase 1, will be included in the scope of work. 

The development site is located at the junction of Ursula Place and Dale Street on the East Side of Stamford, Connecticut.  A Construction Manager was selected and awarded a contract for Construction Management Services for Phase 1 in August 2022. Construction was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2023 and continue for a period of approximately 16-18 months, including demolition of existing buildings.  

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: December 21, 2023. 

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: December 1st, 2023. 

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to

Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing

Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.

Agency: Department of Housing

Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT  06106-7106

E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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


The Following Notice for additional time has been submitted for publication in this edition.


1. Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Track Improvement and Mobility Enhancement (TIME 1): Metro North Railroad

 

Address of Possible Project Location: Mile Post (M.P.) 56.77 (east of Seaview Avenue, Bridgeport) running easterly to M.P. 60.30 (approximately 400 feet east of East Main Street/State Route 113, Stratford).

Municipalities where proposed action would be located: Bridgeport & Stratford

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On April 4 2023, the CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this action in the Environmental Monitor. The CTDOT is unable to publish its determination regarding this action at this time.

Action Status: CTDOT is awaiting additional information pertaining to environmental resource analysis.

Estimated Publication Date: The CTDOT estimates that a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before February 20, 2024.

If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:

Name: Mr. Haresh Dholakia, Transportation Supervising Engineer

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

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131

Phone: 860-594-3173

E-Mail: Hareshkumar.Dholakia@ct.gov 

What Happens Next: The CTDOT 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


No Post Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.



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 Bozrah’s Sanitary Sewer Extension 

Addresses of Possible Project Locations: The project is located along Fitchville Road, Stockhouse Road, River Road, Rachel Drive, Commerce Park Road, and State Route 87 in Bozrah, and in State Routes 87 and 32 in Franklin. It will connect to the Town of Franklin sewer system on Route 32. 

Municipalities where proposed action is to be located:  Bozrah and Franklin

Project Description: The proposed project consists of installing wastewater collection systems in the village section of Bozrah and ultimately connect via Stockhouse Road and Route 87 to the existing Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) sewer on Route 32 in Franklin. The proposed action includes constructing approximately 15,050 linear feet of gravity sanitary sewer, 4 pumping stations, and approximately 3,610 feet of sanitary sewer force main in the Town of Bozrah. The type of construction work required to install sanitary sewer pipes in the road consist of cutting into the roadway, soil excavation and backfilling, and pavement restoration. The Town of Bozrah plans to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Franklin to discharge wastewater into the NPU’s collection system. NPU owns and maintains a Combined Sewer Overflow system and Bozrah proposes to discharge up to 200,000 gallons per day design flows from the proposed sanitary sewer service area.

The proposed sanitary sewer service area contains residential areas, as well as areas zoned commercial and industrial that could support potential economic growth consistent with Local and State Plans of Conservation and Development.  Additionally, the majority of the Town of Bozrah relies on on-site septic systems for wastewater management and most of these systems were built in the 1980s or earlier. In the Fitchville Village section many of the septic systems are over 60 years old and some serve multi-family housing. Small lot sizes, among other constraints, make most of the Village septic systems impracticable, if not impossible, to repair to meet public health code requirements.  

The estimated cost of the project is around 15 million dollars. The Town of Bozrah is awarded with a 5-million-dollar grant-in-aid approved by the State’s bond commission on March 31, 2022, and a low interest 40-year USDA loan that will be taken out to fund the remaining 10 million dollars.

Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.

Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The DEEP published a Scoping Notice on November 8, 2022 and a Post-Scoping Notice on November 7, 2023 for the proposed Sanitary Sewer Extension in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business onJanuary 5, 2024.

The public can view a copy of the EIE here

If a public hearing is requested by twenty-five or more persons, or by an association having not less than twenty-five persons, the sponsoring agency will schedule a public hearing on the EIE. Such requests for a public hearing must be made by contacting the DEEP identified below by December 1, 2023.

Other information:  Attached here are the comments made during the Scoping Notice 

Written comments and questions about this EIE should be sent to:

Name: Anthony Poon

Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106

E-Mail: Anthony.Poon@ct.gov

 

If you have questions about this EIE, or to request a public hearing, please contact:
Name: 
Anthony Poon
Agency: 
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
  Phone:  860-424-3605
E-Mail: 
Anthony.Poon@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 Poon
Agency: 
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
E-Mail: 
Anthony.Poon@ct.gov

What happens next: The DEEP will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. The 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) 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 


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 that 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: ceq@ct.gov.


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