1. Notice of Scoping for St. Edmunds Retreat-Septic System Repairs
Address of possible location: 1 Enders Island, Stonington, CT
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Stonington
Project Description: St. Edmunds Retreat, 1 Enders Island – Septic System Repairs will include the repair and replacement of the sub-surface sewage disposal systems for one new mixed-use building and 5 existing mixed-use buildings with public water and private septic at the above stated property, in the Town of Stonington. The purpose of the proposal is to update the existing septic systems to include a modern, more efficient leaching system to reduce potential environmental contamination as a part of a multi-year program to update and improve the existing buildings and infrastructure on Enders Island. The exiting systems are currently intact and functioning but were originally constructed from 1920 through the latest system in early 2000. The repair and replacement are to ensure continued long-term operation in a system that increases the ability to deal with environmental contaminants.
The existing systems are in an area which may be prone to storm surge in the future. The existing system in place consists of 5 separate leaching fields distributed throughout the island and serving the 7 existing buildings. These systems are typical 20th century systems with septic tanks and standard leaching chambers or trenches. This proposal will combine the outflow of all buildings through the existing septic tanks to provide solid waste separation. The effluent from each of these tanks will be directed to a central processing area. This central processing area will include an accumulation tank, and an in-ground filtration system. Effluent is treated in the filtration system removing and clarifying the effluent before it is introduced back into the ground via a new leaching field. The new leaching field will be in the existing parking lot, which is in a protected area on the island, away from sensitive areas. This area with the addition of the filtration system will provide leaching for the existing as well as future loads. The system will be built from the treatment system out to the existing buildings allowing the existing systems to remain operational until they are abandoned as they are tied into the new system building. This will allow the continuous operation of all aspects of the Retreat and avoid relocation of existing tenants during the construction period.
The benefits of this project include the elimination of older, limited function leaching systems installed in areas which may be prone to storm surge. The filtration system will reduce the environmental contaminates normally associated with leaching fields such as biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen reduction, reduction in suspended solids, all of which effect the long-term performance of the leaching system, allowing a longer life span of the system, and a smaller overall leaching field. This protects the fragile ecosystem around the Island and the waters of Fishers Island Sound surrounding the island.
The plan for the project includes a study of the effluent with Pan Lysimeters to collect samples from the drain field to ascertain the efficiency of the septic system. The new septic system is using a layering system per the plans submitted to the local health district. Enders Retreat plans to recruit University of Connecticut students from the Avery Point campus in Groton to collect samples and report on the finding to determine the best conditions to facilitate maximum nitrogen reduction. On September 28, 2023, the Ledge Light Health District, the local health department authority, approved with conditions the 8/23/23 plans submitted as it complies with the requirements of Section 19-13-B103 of the Connecticut Public Health Code. This project is also part of a larger, long-term development of the property which will include improvement to treatment residences, improvements to the grounds, a new wall which will be built 8 feet from the existing sea wall. When all projects are completed, the site will have repaired and rehabilitated the existing aging infrastructure, made improvements to the long-term health and safety of the residents and users of the facilities, as well as improving environmental conditions on and around the island. Work that will occur in conjunction with or soon after the Septic System Improvements include the repurposing of the maintenance building into a residential treatment space, a new maintenance building which will be located adjacent to the septic system treatment area, a new protective stone wall to protect from storm surge which will not disturb the eel grass around the island.
There will NOT be an increase in the number of people in treatment, or any expansion in the existing residential census on site. The project site is in storm surge zone, near flood zone, estuarine and marine wetland, outside coastal barrier zone but within coastal boundary, within natural diversity database map identified endangered species etc.
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on June 21, 2024.
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public scoping meeting. Such requests must be made by: May 31, 2024.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to
Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106-7106
E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106-7106
E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@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.