Public Hearing On Harbor Brook Flood Impact Study is Tonight

DEEP PRESS RELEASE - DEEP and City of Meriden to Host Public Hearing On Harbor Brook Flood Impact Study

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the City of Meriden will host a public hearing on the findings of the .  The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of Meriden City Hall, 142 East Main Street, on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm.  Displays of the project area and the individual flood control improvements will be available for inspection beginning at 6:30 pm in the same location.

The City of Meriden has developed a master plan of improvements for Harbor Brook including bridge replacements, widening and deepening the stream channel, increasing floodwater storage capacity, and enhancing wetlands.  The master plan also incorporates the construction of a multi-purpose recreational trail along Harbor Brook from Baldwin’s Pond to Hanover Pond.  The EIE assessed the improvements included in the City’s master plan as well as other potentially feasible measures to address local flooding.  DEEP and the City hired GZA Baystate Environmental Consultants to prepare the EIE.

The public hearing is being held both to inform the public about the findings of the EIE on the Harbor Brook project and to solicit public input on the flood control strategies and their potential impacts to the community.  In addition to comments submitted at the hearing, written comments may be provided to DEEP until January 9, 2012.  These additional comments can be addressed to Dan Biron, Project Manager, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Inland Water Resources Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, 06106 or can be faxed to Mr. Biron at (860) 424-4075.