Press Releases
02/19/2026
DEEP, Manresa Island Corp. Announce Stewardship Permit for Manresa Island
Permit is First Step to Facilitate Redevelopment of Polluted Former Fossil Fuel Plant Site in Norwalk, Which Will be Transformed into a Community Park
(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes and Manresa Island Corp. (a subsidiary of Manresa Osprey LLC) announced today the recent issuance of a Stewardship Permit to facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of the former fossil fuel power plant located at 1 Manresa Island Road, Norwalk. Called Manresa Wilds, the project has been driven by Manresa Island Corp., a non-profit founded by Norwalk residents Austin and Allison McChord in October of 2024 to transform this 125-acre property into a vibrant, publicly accessible community park on the Long Island Sound. The Stewardship Permit outlines the work necessary to clean up the property, including measures to catalyze the opening of the Northern Forest to the public in Spring 2027.
The power plant on Manresa Island closed its doors in 2013, ending over 50 years of operation. Given its historical use, the property has significant levels of pollution—102 of the site’s 125 acres are coal ash fill. DEEP is coordinating the environmental permits needed to ensure this property will be safe to reopen to the public after nearly 75 years of restricted use, and that this is achieved with the utmost care for the unique habitats and ecosystems that exist on this long-isolated piece of land.
On December 31, 2025, DEEP issued the first of those permits—a Stewardship Permit—which will ensure environmental investigation continues and will enable site cleanup required to reopen the site. The Stewardship Permit lays out Manresa Island Corp.’s remediation plan and is the first of multiple DEEP licenses that will be required for the Manresa Wilds project to progress.
“DEEP celebrates the issuance of this Stewardship Permit that will guide and support the cleanup of this former power plant. Investing in brownfield properties, like this one, reduces risks to public health and the environment,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Brownfield locations are also a wise choice for development and economic growth, as these properties and the surrounding areas have significant infrastructure already in place. DEEP looks forward to continuing to work with Manresa Osprey and the City of Norwalk to ensure the successful cleanup of this property, and to build on Connecticut’s role as a national leader in brownfield redevelopment.”
“We’re honored that DEEP has entrusted Manresa Island Corp. with this critical Stewardship Permit and the responsibility to clean up and restore this polluted and ecologically fragile site,” said Jessica Vonashek, Executive Director of Manresa Island Corp. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the agency as we move closer to opening Manresa Wilds for public use, returning this extraordinary stretch of shoreline to Norwalk as a safe, resilient, and thriving community park.”
Manresa Island Corp. is advancing the transformation of the site through careful phasing. The first phase of Manresa Wilds, pending local and state approvals, is the 28-acre Northern Forest, a safe and revitalized coastal habitat with forests, open grasslands, and new trails. Meanwhile, DEEP continues to coordinate and sequence the cleanup of other portions of the property, along with other required environmental permits with the Manresa Island Corp. team. The permitting process also ensures continued community input and facilitates the public use of this property.
The main power plant building is proposed to remain as the centerpiece for the new park and will be surrounded by natural spaces that include uses and activities for all ages. The park includes revived wetland and tidal marsh habitats, proposes walking trails, natural open spaces (lawn, meadow, forest buffers), beach and tidal pools, playground/play areas, and a new promenade with a pier, marina, and boat launch. The proposed build out will unlock public access to 1.75 miles of the Connecticut coast.
Included in the Stewardship Permit is a schedule for Manresa Island Corp. to complete environmental investigation and cleanup, and for maintaining long-term environmental obligations for the property. Importantly, it requires public participation to engage stakeholders on the progress of the environmental cleanup and restoration.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110