Team Tech Meeting July 28, 2008

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Team Tech MeetingJuly 28, 2008

Environmental Policy

AndPermitting

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

AGENDA

• Environmental Policy Act • Brief Permit Review • Consultants Procedural Manual Highlights

• Permit Checklist Highlights

• DPW Permitting & CEPA Internal Processes Flow Chart

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act(CEPA)

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Local Actions

Planning &Zoning

Federal Actions

NEPA

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act

• Connecticut’s Environmental Policy was enacted in 1971.

State Actions

CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Purpose of CEPA:

To ensure consideration of environmental factors at the early stages of planning, before the state commits its resources (CD phase).

It’s not meant to “kill” projects, but to consider impacts, mitigation, coordination, etc. prior to making a final decision (proceeding to CD/Biding).


…However, it has “killed” and delayed projects due to not following the Process…

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Triggers to CEPA• Construction of, addition to or major alteration > 100,000 sq. ft. of floor space in REGIONAL CENTERS or NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION AREAS OR > 25,000 sq. ft. of floor space in all other areas, per State C & D Location Guide.

Regional Centers

Neighborhood Conservation Areas

Growth Areas

Rural Community Centers

New State Facility CEPA Review (~30,000 sq.ft)

Located in Neighborhood Conservation Area - subject to 100,000 sq.ft. – No CEPA


Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Regional Centers

Neighborhood Conservation Areas

Growth Areas

Rural Community Centers

New State Facility CEPA Review (~90,000 sq.ft)

Located in Growth Area - subject to 25,000 sq.ft. -- CEPA Required

• Construction of, addition to or major alteration > 100,000 sq. ft. of floor space in REGIONAL CENTERS or NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION AREAS OR > 25,000 sq. ft. of floor space in all other areas, per State C & D Location Guide.


Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Construction of new paved roads or lane additions to existing roads (>$500K)



Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng




• Construction of new parking lots, garages, or additions for 200 vehicles or more.

Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Construction of new dams resulting in a permanent change in water level.





Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Construction of new or expanded sewage treatment plants, hazardous waste or low level radioactive disposal facilities and coal fired heating plants at State facilities






Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Demolition or major alteration to sites listed on the State Register of Historic Places







Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Any other action that may significantly affect the environment in an adverse manner

• Demolition or major alteration to sites listed on the State Register of Historic Places







Triggers to CEPA

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Repairs and renovations of state facilities, replacements of a structure's architectural features, interior construction and/or renovations, additions and/or renovations to lighting, fire alarm, heating/cooling and mechanical systems, roof repairs, chimney repairs, etc.

Exemptions to CEPA


Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Agency determines if “Action” falls under CEPA,

per ECD

Agency conducts Scoping process. Public meeting is held if requested

Agency determines the scope of the EIE based on known issues and those uncovered during scoping; prepares the EIE

45-Day Public Review Period - Agency circulates EIE to agencies, municipality; publishes notice in Environmental Monitor, local newspaper (3

times)

Agency holds a public hearing, if requested or wants to

Agency reviews all comments; prepares response to the substantive issues

Agency prepares and sends to OPM a Record of Decision (ROD)

OPM determinesAdequacy of

the EIE

Project may

proceed

AdequateOPM advises agency of

inadequacies in EIE

NotAdequate

Connecticut Environmental Policy Act Flow Chart

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Internal CEPA Process

Project Initiation - Budgeting (B-100)

Contact DPW Env. Planning

CEPA checkbox on the B-100.Ensure budget covers environmental issues / mitigation costs. Initial Env. Review


Initial Environmental Review

• internal cursory review or screening

• not meant to be a detailed review • is NOT required for every project

• assists in determining if an EIE is needed

• documents the review of potential issues that are determined not to be significant

• identify significant issues for EIE • assist in determining potential permits for the project

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

Project Initiation - Budgeting (B-100)

Contact DPW Env. Planning

CEPA checkbox on the B-100.To ensure budget covers environmental issues / mitigation costs. Initial Env. Review


Consultant Scoping Meeting

If EIE is needed, PM or Sup Env. Analyst

initiates CEPA on-call consultant request.

If EIE an is NOT needed. A Record of Environmental

Consideration can be written

Record of Environmental Consideration

• Rarely needed

Internal CEPA Process

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

• Purpose and Need

Environmental Impact Evaluation Topics

• Description of the Proposed Action

• Alternative Analysis- Actions (No Action, Significant Upgrades /

Renovations, and the Build Alternative)

- Alternative Sites Available or Controlled

- Major Alternative Design Concepts

- Others

• Existing Environment, Impact Evaluation, Mitigation


Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

- Traffic

- Air Quality

- Noise

- Water Resources

- Wetlands

- Water Quality

- Groundwater Quality & Resources

- Coastal Resources

- Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern Species

- Fish and Wildlife, Habitats, and Ecosystems

- Historic Sites, Districts, and Archeologically Sensitive Areas

- Visual Resources

Environmental ResourcesConnecticut Environmental Policy Act

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

- Agricultural Lands and Soils

- Pesticides, Toxic or Hazardous Materials

- Energy (Use and Conservation)

- Public Health and Safety

- Consistency with State Environmental Equity Policy

- Consistency with Municipal and Regional Plans

- Consistency with State Plan of Conservation & Development

- Consistency with Coastal Management Act

Connecticut Environmental Policy ActEnvironmental Resources

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng Brief Permitting Review

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti


DEP (common approvals)• Flood Management Certification / Stormwater• Stormwater During Construction• Misc. Wastewater• Air Quality Permits• Future training for BMPs to avoid permits

State Traffic Commission (STC)• Certificate Determination Review• Major Traffic Generator Certificate

Prior to Construction Approvals (required to Bid)

Prior to Operation Approvals (required to operate)

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng

STATE TRAFFIC COMMISSIONWhen Are You Required to Get an STC Certificate?

New facility, not part of an existing campus/complex, but exits/entersonto a state route or abuts a state route:

STC Criteria:

100,000+ SFor200+ parking spaces

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


Existing facility with no existing STC Certificate with an exit/entrance onto a state route or abutting a state route:

Existing 90,000 SF150 spaces

90 K

150

New 100,000 SFor 200 spaces

+Expand 10,000 SF

or 50 spaces

NEEDS A CERTIFICATE

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


Existing facility with an existing STC Certificate with an exit/entrance onto a state route or abutting a state route:

Existing 150,000 SF

150 K

200New 150,001 SF

+Expand 1 SFNEEDS A NEWCERTIFICATE

OR

Existing 200 spaces

New 250 spaces

+Proposed 50 spacesNEEDS A NEWCERTIFICATE

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


New or existing facility, not exiting/entering onto a state route orabutting a state route:

1st STEPReview STC Criteria(100,000+ SF or 200+ parking spaces)

If the facility meets criteria, then…

2nd STEPSubmit a Certificate of Determination(based on location)

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


Certificate of Determination

Submit to STC:

• Overall site plan showing entire property, location of project, and street network

• Narrative of existing conditions and project

• Traffic study analyzing intersections to nearest state route, plus other traffic info

STC makes a determination whether the facility needs a certificate or not

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti


CSUS 2020 Projects• All 4 campuses have STC Certificates • All CSUS new construction projects require STC

• All 4 campuses require a DEP Master Plan Flood Management Certification (FMC)

• Each project will still require an individual FMC (less review)

• In the process of initiating STC & DEP master plan approvals to cover as many projects as possible.

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti


• Most have STC Certificates • Most do not have a DEP Master Plan Flood Management Certification (FMC)…however…

• Projects in the past only required an individual FMC

Community Colleges

• Most do not have STC Certificates • Most do not have a DEP Master Plan Flood Management Certification (FMC)…however…

• Projects in the past only required an individual FMC

Technical High Schools

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng Consultants Procedure Manual Highlights

2.3.2 Storm Water Discharge Standards

• 2002 Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

• 2004 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual • Other Best Management Practices that meet LEED® Silver, or equivalent, standards and criteria for sustainable site design.

• A/E coordinate and accommodate drainage analysis and requirement needs between the DEP and the State Traffic Commission – DOT Drainage and Hydraulics.

• A/E prepares and submits the methods and design for the stormwater management facilities with the schematic design phase.

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng Consultants Procedure Manual Highlights

2.3.5 Permits, Certifications and Approvals Checklist and Policies

• Makes it clear DPW’s policy is that a project cannot go to bid until the necessary permits are obtained.

• Requires the Checklist to be submitted with consultant’s proposal and revised and resubmitted with each design submittal.

• All DEP Inland Water Resources Division and STC correspondences and applications to be coordinated with the DPW Supervising Environmental Analyst.

• Prior to construction permits need to be obtained during design development.

• The consultant shall not submit the project for review or “approval” to any municipal land use commission or board, unless the DPW PM approves such review; however, such review is only a courtesy, since state actions are exempt from local approvals, EXCEPT for demolition permits.

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng Permits, Certifications and Approvals Checklist Highlights

• New Checklist August 18, 2008

• On DPW main web site – consultants can download the latest version

• Added more project description (estimated bid date, SF, parking spaces, etc.).

• Requires the Checklist to be submitted with consultant’s proposal and revised and resubmitted with each design submittal.

• All DEP Inland Water Resources Division and STC correspondences and applications to be coordinated with the DPW Supervising Environmental Analyst.

Permits, Certifications and Approvals Checklist

Permits, Certifications and Approvals Checklist Instructional Guide• New document September 1, 2008

• Will be on DPW’s main web site – consultants can download the latest version

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng DPW Permitting & CEPA Internal Processes Flow Chart

PERMITS CEPAPROJECT PHASES

Project Initiation(B-100)

Environmental PlanningNotice & Review

Environmental PlanningNotice & Review

Copy Env. Planningmeeting minutes

CEPA on-call initiated

Consultant Selection

Copy Env. Planningmeeting minutes(proposal review)

Permit Checklist

Submitted w/ proposal

InternalReviews

continued

Schematic Design

Draft permit applications due at 50% SD

Permit Checklist w/ SD submittal. Copy to Tech. Svc.

continued

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


Absolute latest at 50% DD

Design Development

Final permit applications due at beginning of DD

DEP Priority Request

continued

Contract Documents

All permit approvals due at beginning of CD

Absolute latest at 50% CD

Permit Checklist w/ DD submittal. Copy to Tech. Svc.

Permit Checklist w/ CD submittal. Copy to Tech. Svc.

continued

PublicReviewPeriod

Record ofDecision

OPM Approval

continued

MitigationChecklistReview

continued

DPW Permitting & CEPA Internal Processes Flow Chart

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


continued

ConstructionAll Prior to Operation permits due

before substantial completion.Erosion & soil control check.

Close OutEnsure Client Agency

understands maintenance and long term compliance measures

continued

Env. Planning mitigationfollow up

BidAll Prior to Construction approvals required to Bid (J.Bolton/J.Cassidy sign off)


Envi

ronm

enta

l Pol

icy

and

Perm

itti

ng


continued

ConstructionAll Prior to Operation permits due

before substantial completion.Erosion & soil control check.

Close OutEnsure Client Agency

understands maintenance and long term compliance measures

continued

Env. Planning mitigationfollow up

BidAll Prior to Construction approvals required to Bid (J.Bolton/J.Cassidy sign off)
