CT natl pg 7 7-15-21
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND
DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF
A READINESS CENTER IN PUTNAM, CT
Description. Interested parties are hereby notified that the Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and a draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the proposed action described below.
Statutory Authority. This notice is being issued to all interested parties in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1500-1508) and 32 CFR Part 651 Environmental Analysis of Army Actions.
Proposed Action. The CTARNG proposes the construction and operation of a readiness center on a 17.00-acre portion of a 19.67-acre State-owned property on Pomfret Street (Route 44) in Putnam, Connecticut (the “Proposed Action”). The property is currently occupied by several large, paved parking areas connected by driveways, two Connecticut Department of Developmental Services buildings, and wooded areas. Under existing conditions, approximately 6.2 acres of the Putnam Readiness Center (PRC) site have been disturbed, including 1.27 acres of existing 100-foot wetland buffer disturbance. The total area of permanent disturbance from the Proposed Action is approximately 6.56 acres.
Construction of the Proposed Action would result in no direct wetland impacts but would have 1.15 acres of permanent impacts within 100-foot wetland buffers. The Proposed Action would require clearing of approximately 0.81 acres of wooded areas.
Between 150 and 175 CTARNG soldiers would train at the PRC one weekend per month and two weeks per year of duty. Approximately five full-time staff would be on site for day-to-day PRC operations. Over drill weekends, approximately 30 to 40 military vehicles (e.g., wheeled vehicles such as Humvees, armored security vehicles, and supporting cargo trailers) would move to and from the PRC along local/regional roadways. Field-based training events and weapons qualifications for PRC members would occur at other existing CTARNG properties.
Housing for soldiers would not be provided at the PRC. No vehicle maintenance facility or fuel trucks would be provided on the site.
Public Review. The EA and the draft FONSI will undergo a 30-day public comment period from July 1 to August 4, 2021**, in accordance with §651.14 of 32 CFR Part 651 Environmental Analysis of Army Actions. During this period, the public may submit comments on the EA and the draft FONSI. The EA and the draft FONSI can be accessed on CTARNG website or at the following address:
Putnam Public Library
225 Kennedy Drive
Putnam, Connecticut 06260
Comments. Comments on the draft EA and the draft FONSI should be submitted during the 30-day comment period via postal mail, fax, or e-mail to: Robert Dollak, Environmental Program Manager, Connecticut Army National Guard, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (860) 524-4945.
**PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO AUGUST 4, 2021.**
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