January 7, 2025
No Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition
Scoping Notice - Post-Scoping Notice (Need More Time)
- NEW! Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Barber Pond Dam Removal, Bloomfield.
No Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE)
No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
No Record of Decision has been submitted for publication in this edition.
- NEW! The Office of Policy and Management's Review of the Record of Decision for Route 7 and Route 15 Interchange Project, Norwalk.
- Notice of Proposed Land Transfer in Voluntown.
The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on January 21, 2025.
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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
No Scoping Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
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.
Notice of Time Extension for Post-Scoping Notice for Barber Pond Dam Removal
Address of Possible Project Location: 102 Old Windsor Road
Municipality where proposed action would be located: Bloomfield
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On March 21, 2023, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Notice of Scoping to solicit public comments for this proposed dam removal in the Environmental Monitor. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is unable to publish its determination regarding this action at this time.
Action Status: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is currently awaiting additional information on water quality so effects on water quality noted in the Environmental Review Checklist will be accurate.
Estimated Publication Date: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection estimates that either an update or a Post-Scoping Notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor on or before July 7, 2025.
If you have questions about the proposed action, contact:
Name: James Heaven
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 519-7029
E-Mail: James.Heaven@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 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
No EIE Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
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
The following Determination of Adequacy Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
The Office of Policy and Management's Review of the Record of Decision for Route 7 and Route 15 Interchange Project
Address of Possible Project Location: The project is located in the northern portion of Norwalk at the interchange of Routes 7 and 15 (Interchange 39) and includes the interchange of Route 15 and Main Avenue (Interchange 40); Route 719 (Main Avenue); and Glover Avenue/Creeping Hemlock Drive in the vicinity of Main Avenue. The proposed limits of construction extend along Route 15 from approximately 0.5 miles west of Route 7 to approximately 0.5 miles east of Main Avenue and along Route 7 from approximately 0.5 miles south to approximately 0.5 miles north of Route 15.
Municipality where proposed action will be located: Norwalk
Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) Determination: On August 20, 2024, the Department of Transportation published a Record of Decision in the Environmental Monitor. The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has reviewed the Department of Transportation's Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) and the associated process in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-1e and determined that the Department of Transportation's Record of Decision is adequate. OPM's conclusion is documented in the Review of the Department of Transportation'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.
The following State Land Transfer Notice has been submitted for publication in this edition.
Notice of Proposed Land Transfer in Voluntown
Complete Address of Property: DEP Trail Road, Voluntown
Commonly used name of property or other identifying information: Town of Voluntown assessor's parcel MBL 052 001-00 0000. Strip of land and access roadway off of Route 138 which leads to a larger portion of State Forest property.
Number of acres to be transferred: 0.35± Acres Fee Simple; 0.15± Acres Easement
Click to view map of property location
Description of Property
Below is some general information about the property. It should not be considered a complete description of the property and should not be relied upon for making decisions. If only a portion of a property is proposed for transfer, the description pertains only to the portion being transferred.
Brief description of historical and current uses: The area subject to the proposed transfer is primarily comprised of a paved road which leads to a portion of Pachaug State Forest. The road is used as egress and ingress to privately-owned residential properties. Transferring the roadway to the Town of Voluntown will effectively provide the private residences with legal frontage on a public local roadway. The road becomes unimproved just before reaching a gated, forked access road leading into the State Forest. A proposed transfer of easement area to the Town just before the gates will provide the Town with a turn-around area for snow plowing, school buses, and emergency service vehicles.
The property to be transferred contains the following: [place an "x" in the appropriate cells to the left of the text]
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Building(s) in use |
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Building(s) not in use |
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No Structures |
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Other Features: |
X |
Paved areas |
X |
Wooded land |
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Non agricultural fields |
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Active agriculture |
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Ponds, streams, other water, wetlands |
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Public water supply |
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On-site well |
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Water Supply Unknown |
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Served by sewers |
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On-site septic system |
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Waste Disposal Unknown |
Click to view aerial view of property
Click to view photographs of property
Links to other available information: Preliminary Survey
The property is in the following municipal zone(s):
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Zoned |
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Not zoned |
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Not known |
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X |
Residential |
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Industrial |
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Commercial |
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Institutional |
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Other: |
[identify “other” zone] |
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Is the property in an aquifer protection area and/or a public water supply watershed? No
Is the property in an area identified by the Natural Diversity Data Base as containing state-listed species and/or significant natural communities? No
Is the property or any buildings on the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as a National Historic Landmark? No
Value of property, if known:
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X |
If checked, value is not known. |
Type of sale or transfer:
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X |
Sale or transfer of property in fee |
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X |
Sale or transfer of partial interest in the property (such as an easement). Description of interest: 0.15 Acre area proposed to be granted to the Town of Voluntown for a turn-around area for snow plowing, school buses, and emergency service vehicles. |
Proposed recipient, if known: Town of Voluntown
Proposed use by property recipient, if known: Public roadway and services including snow plowing, school transportation, and emergency services.
Is the agency imposing restrictions or conditions upon the transfer of the land or land interest? If yes, describe: Yes, the transfers will be subject to such rights and easements as may appear of record and any state of facts which an accurate survey or inspection of the premises may show, and conditioned that the premises will be used for public purposes or else it shall revert to the State of Connecticut.
Reason the state of Connecticut is proposing to transfer this property: The Town of Voluntown approached the Department with a request for ownership of the roadway subject to this proposed transfer because there are private residences abutting the State road leading into the State Forest that do not have frontage or legal access to the state or local public highway system. The transfer would provide these residences with legal frontage on a local road, as well as provide the Town with an easement area to perform maintenance and provide essential public services.
Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on January 16, 2025.
Comments may include (but are not limited to) information you might have about significant natural resources or recreation resources on the property, as well as your recommendations for means to preserve such resources.
Written comments* about the proposed property transfer should be sent to:
Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management
c/o Paul F. Hinsch
Office of Policy and Management
Bureau of Assets Management
450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1379
Please also send a copy of any comments and/or questions about the proposed property transfer to:
Name: Steven Perry
Agency: DEEP
Address: Land Acquisition and Management Unit, 79 Elm Street, 6th Floor
E-Mail: Steven.Perry@ct.gov
*E-Mail submissions are preferred.
Comments from state agencies must be on agency letterhead and signed by agency head.
What Happens Next:
When this comment period closes, the proposed land transfer can take one of three tracks:
1. If no public comments are received, the sale or transfer can proceed with no further public comment and no further notices in the Environmental Monitor, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).
2. If public comments are received, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will respond to those comments. The comments and responses will be published in the Environmental Monitor. Fifteen days after publication of the comments and responses, the proposed sale or transfer can proceed, unless DEEP elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).
3. If DEEP elects to conduct a further review of the property, it may submit to OPM a report with recommendations for preserving all or part of the property. The report and recommendations will be published in the Environmental Monitor, and there will be a 30-day public comment period. DEEP will publish its responses to any comments received and its final recommendation about the property in the Environmental Monitor. OPM will then make the final determination as to the ultimate disposition of the property, and will publish that determination in the Environmental Monitor. Fifteen days after publication of that final determination, the sale or transfer can proceed.
To find out if this proposed transfer is the subject of further notices, check future editions of the Environmental Monitor. Sign up for e-alerts to receive a reminder e-mail on Environmental Monitor publication dates.
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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