Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Connecticut Light and Power d/b/a Eversource Energy, Norwalk

Notice of Hearing

Applicant: The Connecticut Light and Power Company d/b/a Eversource Energy
Application No.: 202304621-SDFTW
City/Town: Norwalk

The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) hereby gives notice of a public hearing concerning an application by Connecticut Light and Power Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for a permit to conduct work waterward of the coastal jurisdiction line in tidal, coastal or navigable waters of the state and in tidal wetlands to relocate critical infrastructure.

Application No.: 202304621-SDFTW             

Applicant’s Name and Address: The Connecticut Light and Power Company d/b/a Eversource Energy, 107 Selden Street, Berlin, CT 06037

Type of Permits/Activity: The proposed activity includes the relocation of twin 115kV transmission lines from monopoles and catenaries on the Norwalk Walk Bridge into two parallel conduits beneath the Norwalk River to be constructed using horizontal directional drilling. Such activity requires both a Structures, Dredging & Fill permit and a Tidal Wetlands permit as proposed activity may affect coastal and aquatic resources and tidal wetlands.

Type of Facility: Transmission line                 

Facility/Site Location: 90 Water St. under Norwalk River to CT-136 & Goldstein Place Intersection

NOTICE OF HEARING

DEEP will hold a hearing to receive public comments on the application on May 29, 2024 at 6:30 PM via Zoom, an electronic meeting platform. Registration is required; to register use the following link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpdu6vrTwoHdY0YgEUutnw8WMXGT5ulZnm. The hearing to receive public comments will consist of informational presentations by the parties and collection of public comment.

Written comments will be accepted at the public hearing and until the close of business on June 5, 2024.  Written comments may be submitted by email to Deep.Adjudications@ct.gov or by mail at the Office of Adjudications, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street Hartford, Connecticut 06106.

This matter will continue with an evidentiary hearing for the presentation of testimony and documentary evidence by the parties to this matter, on June 6, 2024 at 9:00 AM via Zoom. Registration is required; to register use the following link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkc-GvqTIoGtwASpbj3TTbMy-ZTK3EQFhR. The evidentiary hearing will continue, as needed, on June 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM via Zoom utilizing the same Zoom link noted for the first evidentiary hearing date.

A site visit will be held on May 22, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Those attending the site visit should be present at the Norwalk River Boat Ramp, 184-200 CT-136 Norwalk, CT 06855. Site visits are an opportunity for the hearing officer to observe the general characteristics of a site to provide visual references that may be useful in understanding the testimony and exhibits to be presented. While the site visit is a public meeting, it is not an opportunity for public comments or questions.

A pre-hearing conference for the parties to discuss pre-hearing procedures will be held May 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM via Zoom. This is a public meeting but not an opportunity for the public to provide comments.  Those who wish to observe the meeting must register, using the following link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAod--tqz4sGNQuBevcIfrTgsNn8QL--3eo.

Members of the public should refer to the DEEP Calendar of Events at https://www.depdata.ct.gov/calendar/ for the official schedule in this matter, including cancellations, or other schedule alterations. 

Interested persons who wish to obtain more information regarding the applications and draft permits may do so by contacting Bianca Beland of the Land & Water Resources Division at Bianca.Beland@ct.gov or (860) 418-5951.

DEEP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request an accommodation, contact DEEP at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov.

Draft Permit and Plans of NTD