Conservation Commission Agenda (linked)

Connecticut Department of
ee &
cS ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
79 Elm Street ® Hartford, CT 06106-5127 wivw.ct.gov/deep Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Generated by eNDDB on:
12/9/2025
Kyle Haubert
CLA Engineers, Inc.
317 Main St
Norwich, CT 06360
khaubert@claengineers.com
Subject: Crystal Mall Adaptive Reuse
Filing # 137395
NDDB — New Determination Number: 202509382
850 HARTFORD TPKE
WATERFORD
Expiration Date: 12/9/2027
Current data maintained by the Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) and housed in the DEEP ezFile
portal indicates that populations of the following State Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern
species (RCA Sec. 26-306) have been documented within the project area or in close proximity to the
proposed Building and Infrastructure Development (including stormwater discharge associate with
construction) / Addition to an existing facility, Crystal Mall Adaptive Reuse.
Wood turtle (G/yptemys insculpta)
In accordance with the project information provided in your request submittal, implementation of the
following Best Management Practices will avoid negative impacts to listed species:
Common Name Wood turtle
Scientific Name Glyptemys insculpta
Taxa reptile
Status’ Sc
General Ecology Individuals of this species are riverine and riparian obligates, overwintering and mating in
clear, cold, primarily sand-gravel and rock bottomed streams and foraging in riparian zones,
fields and upland forests during the late spring and summer. They hibernate in the banks of
the river in submerged tree roots between November 1 and March 31. Their summer habitat
focuses within 90m (300ft of rivers) and they regularly travel 300m (0.2 mile) from rivers during
this time. During summer they seek out early successional habitat: pastures, old fields,
woodlands, powerline cuts and railroad beds bordering or adjacent to streams and rivers.
Their habitat in Connecticut is already severely threatened by fragmentation of riverine,
instream, riparian, and upland habitats, but is exacerbated by heavy adult mortality from
machinery, cars, and collection. This is compounded by the species late maturity, low
reproductive potential, and high nest and hatchling depredation rates.
Best Management
Practice Female turtles looking for nesting habitat are frequently killed by vehicles when
crossing roads. These turtles of reproductive age are the most valuable individuals in

the population to maintain population persistence. Highways with high traffic are
impenetrable barriers that isolate populations
¢ Culverts/Crossings: Should be avoided. When necessary it is critical that the culvert
or bridge allow turtles to pass underneath (i.e. it is not perched) and the road surface
and side slope will not mimic sandy nesting areas for females.
¢ High traffic road surfaces and high traffic facilities (>100 vehicle/lane/day, 5-10 cars
per hour) should use curbs and fencing to deflect animals off into wildlife
underpasses or around high traffic areas.
¢ Low traffic road surfaces should (rate) should use Cape Cod-style curbing or no
curb alternatives to allow animals to cross road unimpeded.
¢ Cluster development to reduce the amount of roadway needed and place housing as
far from high use areas as possible.
* Do not use road surfaces and side slopes that will mimic sandy nesting areas for
females.
Land disturbance activities need to consider local habitat features and apply fencing
and/or time of year restrictions as appropriate. We recommend you consult with a
herpetologist familiar with preferred habitats to assist you with proper techniques to
ensure the best protection strategies are employed for your site and the scope of
your project.
¢ Land disturbance and excavation confined to the upland can be done without risk
for impact to wood turtle if work is restricted to the dormant season (November 1-
March 31).
If land disturbance activity will include significant areas within and around rivers and
streams, you will need to take precautions to avoid impacting hibernating adults.
Consult with a qualified herpetologist to assess your work impact zone for the
potential to impact overwintering wood turtle.
¢ Do not begin instream activity and bank disturbance in suitable overwintering
habitat within a river or stream during the turtle’s dormant period (November 1-
March 31).
To prevent turtle access and entry into your upland work zone between April 1-
October 31:
¢ Exclusionary practices will be required to prevent any turtle access into
construction areas. These measures will need to be installed at the limits of
disturbance as shown on the plans, or be specifically designated by a qualified
herpetologist.
¢ Exclusionary fencing be at least 20 inches tall and must be secured to and remain in
contact with the ground and be regularly maintained (at least bi-weekly and after
major weather events) to secure any gaps or openings at ground level that may let
animal pass through.
¢ Prior to construction, all turtles occurring within fencing work area will be relocated
to suitable habitat outside disturbance area. This should be performed by a qualified
professional familiar with habitat requirements and behavior of the species.
¢ The Contractor must search the work area each morning prior to any work being
done.
¢ All construction personnel working within the turtle habitat must be apprised of the
species description and the possible presence of a listed species.
¢ Any turtles encountered within the immediate work area shall be carefully moved to

an adjacent area outside of the excluded area and fencing should be inspected to
identify and remove access point. These animals are protected by law and no turtles
should be relocated from the site.
¢ In areas where silt fence is used for exclusion, it shall be removed as soon as the
area is stable to allow for reptile and amphibian passage to resume.
¢ Special precautions must be taken to avoid degradation of wetland habitats
including any wet meadows and seasonal pools.
If land disturbance will occur in potential nesting areas designated by a qualified
herpetologist, you will need to take precautions to prevent female turtles from
entering work area and setting up nests. This fencing would need to be in place
before May 15. Potential nesting areas may include open fields, early successional
habitat, sandy open patches nearby wetland features, and sandy roads and
roadsides.
'E = State Endangered, T = State Threatened, SC = State Special Concern, FE = Federally
Endangered, FT = Federally Threatened, NA = Not applicable.
Your submission information indicates that your project does not require a state permit, license,
registration, or authorization and does not utilize state funding or involve state agency action.
Therefore, this NDDB — New determination MAY NOT be utilized to fulfill the Endangered and
Threatened Species requirements for state-issued permit applications, licenses, registration
submissions, and authorizations. If, at a later date, it is determined that the project will require a state
permit, license, registration, or authorization, or, your project now utilizes state funding or includes
state agency action, you will need to re-submit a Request for Review and answer “Yes” to the
appropriate question.
Please be aware of the following limitations and conditions:
Natural Diversity Database information includes all information regarding listed species available to
us at the time of the request. This information is a compilation of data collected over the years by the
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Natural History Survey and cooperating units
of DEEP, land owners, private conservation groups and the scientific community. This information is
not necessarily the result of comprehensive or site-specific field investigations. Current research
projects and new contributors continue to identify additional populations of species and locations of
habitats of concern, as well as enhance existing data. Such new information is incorporated into the
Database and accessed through the ezFile portal as it becomes available. New information may
result in additional review, and new or modified restrictions or conditions may be necessary to remain
in compliance with certain state permits.
* During your work listed species may be encountered on site. A report must be submitted by the
observer to the Natural Diversity Database promptly and additional review and restrictions or
conditions may be necessary to remain in compliance with certain state permits. Please fill out the
appropriate survey form and follow the instructions for submittal.
* If your project involves preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment, this NDDB consultation
and determination should not be substituted for conducting biological field surveys assessing
on-site habitat and species presence.
* This determination applies only to the project as described in the submission and summarized at
the end of this letter. Please re-submit an updated Request for Review if the project’s scope of
work and/or timeframe changes, including if work has not begun by 12/9/2027.
* If biological surveys have been conducted in accordance with Best Management Practices

provided, please forward a copy of the results to the address listed at the end of this letter. Include
the Project Name and Determination Number on all correspondence.
The NDDB — New determination for the Crystal Mall Adaptive Reuse at 850 HARTFORD TPKE,
WATERFORD, as described in the submitted information and summarized at the end of this
document is valid until 12/9/2027. This determination applies only to the project as described in the
submission and summarized at the end of this letter. Please re-submit an updated Request for
Review if the project's scope of work and/or timeframe changes, including if work has not begun by
12/9/2027.
This letter is computer generated and carries no signature. If however, any clarification is needed, or,
if you have further questions, please contact the following:
CT DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources
Wildlife Division
Natural Diversity Database, 6"" floor
79 Elm Street,
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
(860) 424-3011
deep.nddbrequest@ct.gov
Please reference the Determination Number provided in this letter when you e-mail or write. Thank
you for submitting your project through DEEP’s ezFile portal for Natural Diversity Database reviews.

Application Details:
Project involves federal funds or federal permit: No
Project involves state funds, state agency action, or No
relates to CEPA request:
Project requires state permit, license, registration, or No
authorization:
DEEP enforcement action related to project:
Project Type: Building and Infrastructure Development
(including stormwater discharge associate
with construction)
Project Sub-type: Addition to an existing facility
Project Name: Crystal Mall Adaptive Reuse
Project Description:

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