1. Notice of Scoping for Suffield Wildlife Management Area Prescribed Burn
Address of possible location: 510 Point Grove Road, West Suffield CT 06093
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Suffield CT
Project Description: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife and Forestry Divisions aim to manage vegetation using prescribed fire within portions of Suffield Wildlife Management Area (Suffield WMA), a state-owned natural area managed for wildlife conservation and wildlife-based recreation. Burning operations may occur annually. In 2022, DEEP proposes to conduct a prescribed burn during Feb 1 to April 15, 2022, when weather conditions permit. This prescribed burn will encompass 49.5 acres of grassland and will take one or two days to complete. The operation will be conducted under the direction of qualified fire professionals when weather and atmospheric conditions allow. The Suffield WMA will be closed to the public during the operation of the prescribed fire. Prior to the burn, the Suffield Fire Department and the Town of Suffield will be notified. A notice will sent be sent to the Town Hall on the day of the burn and signage will be posted at the Suffield WMA to notify the public.
The overall goal of prescribed fire in all units is to sustain and enhance sandplain grassland habitat, an underrepresented natural community that many wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need rely on to survive and reproduce. Prescribed fire is an effective management tool to maintain and enhance grassland habitat. Following prescribed burn, and the resulting consumption of the aboveground biomass, new vegetation will grow soon after and the entire site will be revegetated. Expected long-term changes to vegetation within burned areas is an increase in percent composition of warm season grasses, an increase in percent composition of exposed mineral soil, and a decrease in percent composition of forbs and woody trees/shrubs. The project site will remain an undeveloped natural area following management activities. Prescribed burning may occur here during August 15 to April 15 annually; the public notification process will remain unchanged in future years.
Project Map: Click here for a map of the project area. The grassland areas of Suffield WMA are divided into management units labeled A through F to better compartmentalize management actions. Units proposed to be burned in spring 2022 are Units C,D, & F (49.5 acres).
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: Monday, January 31, 2022.
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: January 24, 2022
TIME: 4:00 pm
PLACE: Virtual meeting- Video Conference
NOTES: Join Zoom Meeting
https://ctdeep.zoom.us/j/99392724878?pwd=bTcrM3F0Q2pLUjNNemRmelBqVXFtdz09
Meeting ID: 993 9272 4878
Passcode: 906716
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Meeting ID: 993 9272 4878
Additional information about the project can be viewed in person at DEEP Eastern District Headquarters Marlborough at 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough CT and online at: DEEP Wildlife Division Habitat Program Webpage.
Written comments should be sent to:
Name: Tanner Steeves
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division
Address: 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough CT 06447
E-Mail: tanner.steeves@ct.gov
If you have questions about the public scoping meeting or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:
Name: Tanner Steeves
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division
Address: 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough CT 06447
E-Mail: tanner.steeves@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Tanner Steeves
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division
Address: 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough CT 06447
E-Mail: Tanner.Steeves@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.