1. Notice of Scoping for: University of Connecticut Action for Additional Water Supply Source(s), Amended to Include Improvements to the Fenton River Wellfield

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: Mansfield, Tolland, Coventry

Address of Possible Project Location: An additional alternative to those in the previously noticed scope for additional water supply sources will include installing a replacement for “Well A” within the University of Connecticut’s Fenton River wellfield, which is accessible via Gurleyville Road in Mansfield, CT. On June 7, 2011 the CT Environmental Monitor posted a scoping notice for the University of Connecticut’s proposal to identify and implement a long-term source of at least 0.5 - 1 million gallons per day of water. The alternatives identified in the previous scoping notice remain options and include interconnecting with nearby reservoir-based water systems and developing a new groundwater source. The full notice in the June 7^th Monitor can be found at https://www.ct.gov/ceq/cwp/view.asp?a=987&Q=481666.

Project Description: The University of Connecticut in direct partnership with the Town of Mansfield proposes actions that will identify and implement a long-term source of at least 0.5 - 1 million gallons per day of water for the University of Connecticut’s public water supply system. The project comprises the possible creation of new wellfields and the possible installation of new water  to provide additional water to the University’s public water supply system in and around Storrs, which currently also provides service to several Town of Mansfield facilities.

The proposed action would enable growth of the University and surrounding area consistent with prior the University Water Supply Plan, University Master Plans and associated Environmental Impact Evaluations, particularly for the proposed University Technology Park to be developed on the University’s North Campus. The proposed action would improve the University water supply’s margin of safety and supplement the available water during times of drier years when the existing supply is limited in response to aquatic and environmental concerns. This additional source of water supply would also enable economic development as delineated in the Town Plan of Conservation and Development, particularly as envisioned for the Mansfield Four Corners and Storrs Center areas.

The alternatives for obtaining an additional water supply source for the University’s public water supply system include:

1) Connecting with a nearby reservoir-based water system to the northwest of the main campus by extending a transmission main south from Tolland along the Route 195 corridor or alternative local roads;

2) Connecting with a nearby reservoir-based water system to the southeast of the main campus by extending a transmission main north from southern Mansfield along the Route 195 corridor or alternative route(s) via local roads; and

3) Installing and connecting to a new groundwater source or sources in the stratified drift aquifers along the Fenton River, Willimantic River, or Mansfield Hollow Reservoir. The new groundwater source(s) would preferably be installed on lands in Mansfield, CT currently owned by the University, Town of Mansfield, or the Army Corps of Engineers.

4) Replacing the University’s existing “Well A” in its Fenton River Wellfield with a new well installed in the stratified drift more than 250 feet westward from its current location. Relocating Well A further from the river to lessen the impact pumping has on aquatic habitat during seasonal drier conditions was among the recommendations in the “Long-Term Impact Analysis of the University of Connecticut’s Fenton River Water Supply Wells on the Habitat of the Fenton River” by Warner et al (2006). The University abides by other recommendations in the aforementioned Analysis by curtailing and ceasing pumping from Well A and other wells at the Fenton River wellfield when streamflows drop below prescribed thresholds. If the on-going research and aquifer modeling support a lessened impact to aquatic habitat, then relocating Well A could provide supplemental water that the University had planned to be otherwise unavailable.

Project Map(s):  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: January 19, 2012

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a 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 December 30, 2011.

Written comments should be sent to:

Name: Jason Coite

Agency: University of Connecticut - Office of Environmental Policy

Address: 31 LeDoyt Road, U-3055

Storrs, CT 06269

Fax: 860-486-5477

E-Mail: jason.coite@uconn.edu

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this

project, contact:

Name: Jason Coite

Agency: University of Connecticut - Office of Environmental Policy

Address: 31 LeDoyt Road, U-3055

Storrs, CT 06269

Phone: 860-486-9305

Fax: 860-486-5477

E-Mail: jason.coite@uconn.edu

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in February 2012.