CEQ: Current Issue

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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR
The official site for project information under
the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act

November 17, 2009

Scoping Notices

1. Greater Bridgeport Transit Maintenance Facility (Bridgeport)

2. Aviation Transformation Readiness Center (Windsor Locks)

Environmental Impact Evaluations

1. Waterbury Transportation Center (Waterbury)

2. Land Lease for a New Hangar Facility at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport (Oxford)

State Land Transfers

STEP I - Notices of Intent to Transfer Property. None in this edition.

STEP II - Public comments regarding proposed transfers that were posted previously in the Environmental Monitor, and the Office of Policy and Management's (OPM's) responses to those comments. None in this edition.

STEP III - Draft recommendations of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection regarding preservation of properties proposed for transfer. None in this edition.

STEP IV - Final recommendations of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection regarding disposition of properties proposed for transfer, along with comments and responses from Step III. None in this edition.

STEP V - Final determinations by the Secretary of OPM regarding the ultimate disposition of properties proposed for transfer. None in this edition.

The next edition of the Environmental Monitor will be published on December 8, 2009.

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Scoping Notices

The following scoping notices are posted for review or comment in this edition. "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.

1. Notice of Scoping for Greater Bridgeport Transit Maintenance / Operations Facility

Municipality where proposed project might be located: City of Bridgeport

Address of Possible Project Location: Barnum Avenue (south side of road) in Bridgeport, CT. The possible project location is between Summerfield Avenue to the north, Elizabeth Street to the east, and Metro North Railroad tracks to the south.

Project Description: The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBTA) transit maintenance and operations facility has reached its capacity. The GBTA projects growth in employees and equipment over the next 20 years. The proposed project is a transit facility to accommodate GBTA’s projected growth. The proposed project consists of improvements to an existing or construction of a new administration and operations building, expanded surface parking, a new paratransit vehicle storage building, renovated maintenance facility, and a new paint and body shop. The facility would incorporate energy efficiencies into its design and LEED certification rating of Silver would be pursued. Driveways and service lanes would be reconfigured for improved access and internal circulation.

Aerial Photo and Project Outline: Click here to view an aerial photo of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Friday, November 20, 2009.

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a 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.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

Name: Ms. Colleen Kissane - Transp. Assistant Planning Director

Agency: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06106

Fax: 860-594-3028

E-Mail: colleen.kissane@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Mr. Keith T. Hall - Transportation Supervising Planner

Agency: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06106

Phone: 860-594-2926

Fax: 860-594-3028

E-Mail: keith.hall@ct.gov

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in February 2010.

Further information on the project may be found at: http://www.gbt-feip.com/

2. Notice of Scoping for Aviation Transformation Readiness Center

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Town of Windsor Locks

Address of Possible Project Location: Along Perimeter Road, immediately west of Route 75

Project Description: The Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) is planning to build a new Aviation Transformation Readiness Center (ATRC) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. This new facility would be located next to the existing Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and existing hangars at Bradley International Airport (BIA). The project will serve to consolidate facilities and services used for aviator training currently located at three existing facilities in the State: Enfield Armory, Camp Hartell and the AASF. The existing facilities at Enfield and Camp Hartell are antiquated and do not meet current standards for readiness training.

The proposed project would involve construction of a 106,000 square foot (sf) facility that would include general purpose and special purpose maintenance work bays for military surface equipment; shop work, test and supply areas; tool and parts rooms; battery rooms; POL flammable and controlled waste handling storage areas; administrative/office areas; locker/toilet/shower rooms; a break room and a physical fitness room.

Aerial Photo and Project Outline: Click here to View an aerial photograph of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Thursday, December 3, 2009.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

Name: Robert Dollak

Agency: CT Military Department

Address: 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105

Email: robert.dollak@us.army.mil

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

Name: Robert Dollak

Agency: CT Military Department

Address: 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105

Email: robert.dollak@us.army.mil

EIE Notices

The following Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) notices have been submitted for review and comment in this edition.

1. Notice of EIE for Waterbury Transportation Center

Address of Possible Project Location: 333 Meadow Street, Waterbury

Project Description: The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration as the federal proponent and The Connecticut Department of Transportation as a participating agency, on the Environmental Impact Evaluation for the Waterbury Transportation Center (WTC). The proposed multi-modal transportation center would be located on Meadow Street, adjacent to the existing Metro-North rail station in downtown Waterbury. The WTC is proposed to house and link several of the area’s transit services, as well as commuter travel and tourism activities. The new center would be located near the interchange of the area’s major highways, Interstate 84 and Route 8, approximately one-half mile from the existing local bus “pulse point” on the Waterbury Green.

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

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: December 18, 2009

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

· City Clerk’s Office, 236 Grand Street, City Hall, Waterbury, CT 06702

· Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT 06702

· Waterbury Development Corporation (WDC), 24 Leavenworth Street, Waterbury, CT 06702

· DECD, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106

· WDC website – www.wdconline.org

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on:

DATE: December 8, 2009

TIME: 6:00 PM

PLACE: Waterbury Development Corporation - 2nd Floor

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name: Nelson Tereso

Agency: Department of Economic & Community Development

Address:
505 Hudson Street Hartford, CT 06106

Phone:

Fax:

(860) 270-8213

(860) 270-8157

E-Mail: nelson.g.tereso@ct.gov

2. Notice of EIE for Land Lease for a New Hangar Facility at the Waterbury - Oxford Airport

Municipality where project is proposed : Oxford

Address of Possible Project Location: 300 Christian Street, Oxford

Project Description: The project consists of the construction of a hangar and office space building with a footprint of 206,000 square feet on the southeastern side of the Waterbury Oxford Airport parallel to Runway 36. The building will be constructed as a certified LEED® Building including the use of solar energy and geothermal heating.

Project Maps: Click here to view an aerial photo of the project area.

Click here to view a map of the project area.

Click here to view a map of the immediate project area.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on : December 18, 2009.

The public can view a copy of this EIE at: The town of Oxford Town Clerk’s Office - 486 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT 06478-1298; The Oxford Public Library - 486 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT 06478; The town of Middlebury Town Clerks Office - 1212 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762; The Middlebury Public Library - 30 Crest Road Middlebury, CT 06762; The Connecticut Department of Transportation - 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Room 2155, Newington, CT 06131; The Central Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments - 60 North Main Street – Third Floor, Waterbury, CT 06702, and The Connecticut State Library - 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106.

There is a public hearing scheduled for this EIE on :

DATE : Thursday December 3, 2009

TIME : 7:00 pm

PLACE : Oxford High School, 61 Quaker Farms Road

CTDOT representatives will be at this location at 6:00 pm to answer any questions.

Send your comments about this EIE to:

Name: Ms. Colleen Kissane - Transportation Planning Assistant Director

Agency: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike

Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: Colleen.Kissane@ct.gov

If you have questions about the public hearing, or where you can review this EIE, or similar matters, please contact :

Name: Mr. Keith T. Hall - Transportation Supervising Planner

Agency: State of Connecticut Department of Transportation

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike - Room 2155 Newington, CT 06131

E-Mail: Keith.Hall@ct.gov

Phone: 860-594-2926

State Land Transfer Notices

Connecticut General Statutes Section 4b-47 provides for public notice of proposed transfers of state-owned lands out of state ownership. The notice process takes place in steps. Step I is the notice of intent to transfer, which includes an opportunity for any person to comment. If comments are received, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will respond, and the comments and responses will be published as Step II.

The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may choose to evaluate the property more thoroughly and recommend preservation of the property or restrictions on the transfer. Step III is publication of the Commissioner's report and draft recommendations, and includes a 30-day public comment period. Step IV is publication of the Commissioner’s responses to any public comments along with the Commissioner's final recommendations regarding the property.

Step V is publication of OPM’s final determination regarding disposition of the property. Fifteen days after this posting the transfer may proceed.

IMPORTANT: Most proposed transfers are not required to go through all five steps. The land may be sold or transferred 15 days after the close of the comment period of Step I if no comments are received. If comments are received, and the DEP does not elect to conduct and publish a more thorough study of the property, the land may be sold or transferred 15 days after publication of the comments and responses under Step II.

Step I

Notices of Intent to Transfer

This mandatory step opens a 30-day public comment period. Instructions for submitting comments are included in each notice. If no comments are received, a proposed transfer may proceed 15 days after the close of the comment period. If comments are received, they will be posted in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor, along with responses from OPM.

No Step I Notices have been submitted for review and comment in this edition.

STEP II

Public comments regarding proposed transfers that were posted previously (Step I) in the Environmental Monitor, and OPM's responses to those comments

This step is contingent upon the receipt of public comments in Step I. It is not required if no comments were received. Unless the Commissioner of Environmental Protection elects to study the property more thoroughly and publish a report with draft recommendations (see Step III), the transfer may proceed 15 days after publication. There are no Step II Notices in this edition.

Step III

Draft recommendations of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection regarding preservation of properties proposed for transfer

This step is required only if the Commissioner of Environmental Protection recommends preservation of all or part of a property, which may include restrictions on the transfer. This step includes a 30-day public comment period. Any comments received will be published in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor under Step IV, along with the Commissioner's responses and final recommendation.

No Step III Notices have been submitted for review and comment in this edition.

Step IV

Final recommendations of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection regarding disposition of properties proposed for transfer, along with comments and responses from Step III

This step is contingent on Step III having occurred. After this publication, the Secretary of OPM will make the final determination regarding the property (Step V).
There are no Step IV Notices in this edition.

Step V

Final determinations by the Secretary of OPM regarding the ultimate disposition of properties

This step is contingent on Steps III and IV having occurred. Fifteen days after publication of this Step V notice, a proposed transfer may proceed pursuant to the OPM Secretary’s final determination. There are no Step V Notices in this edition.

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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORThe official site for project information under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act

1. Notice of Scoping for Greater Bridgeport Transit Maintenance / Operations Facility

1. Notice of EIE for Waterbury Transportation Center

2. Notice of EIE for Land Lease for a New Hangar Facility at the Waterbury - Oxford Airport

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITOR
The official site for project information under
the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act