University of Connecticut, Mansfield
Notice of Tentative Determination to Approve an Application for a Dam Safety Permit & Water Quality Certificate and Intent to Waive Public Hearing
Applicant: University of Connecticut
Application No: DS-202401205 & WQC-202406466
City/Town: Mansfield
Dam Name & DEEP ID No: MIRROR LAKE DAM, ID # 7806, Hazard Class C “High”
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) hereby gives notice that a tentative determination has been reached to approve the following applications. The Commissioner also intends to waive the requirement for public hearing pursuant to Section 22a-403 of the Connecticut General Statutes for a dam safety permit.
The Commissioner also gives notice that a hearing may be held on this dam safety permit if the Commissioner determines that the public interest will best be served thereby or shall hold a hearing upon receipt of a petition as described below.
Application No.: DS-202401205 & WQC-202406466
Applicant’s Name and Address: University of Connecticut (UConn), 3102 Horsebarn Hill Rd, Unit 4097, Storrs, CT 06268
Contact Name/Phone No/Email: Paul Ferri, Paul.Ferri@Uconn.edu
Type of Permit: New Permit, Dam Safety and 401 Water Quality Certification
Project Description: Repair/Modify an existing dam
Project Location: The dam is located on University of Connecticut property on the western side of Storrs Road (Route 195) near the intersection of Storrs Road and Willowbrook Road in Storrs (Mansfield), CT.
Water: Roberts Brook
REGULATORY CONDITIONS
The proposed activities include the following: raising the dam crest by 3 feet to Elevation 591.1 feet, flattening the upstream and downstream slopes to a minimum 3 horizontal to 1 vertical (3H:1V), installing a toe drain within the downstream slope, adding riprap on the upstream slope and in the downstream channel, constructing mass concrete upstream of the existing spillway to improve spillway stability, constructing new upstream and downstream spillway training walls and aprons, and constructing a new low-level outlet siphon. To satisfy the maximum outflow restrictions as per the Memorandum of Understanding between DEEP and UConn dated March 16, 2020, the width of the spillway will also be reduced from 12 feet to 11 feet by extending a section of the new upstream concrete 1-foot across the existing spillway opening.
For the Dam Safety Permit - There will be a permanent impact of 13,845 square feet (sf) and a temporary impact of 12,065 sf for a total of approximately 25,910 sf of impact to Roberts Brook and associated wetlands.
For the 401 Water Quality Certificate - There will be a permanent impact of 14,234.1 sf and a temporary impact of 12,065 sf for a total of 26,299.1 sf of impact to Roberts Brook and associated wetlands.
INFORMATION REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
This application has been assigned number DS-202401205 & WQC-202406466; please use this number when corresponding with DEEP regarding this application. Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from the applicant at the above address, through appointment only. Electronic copies of the application and supporting documentation can be provided to interested persons via email. Any such requests for electronic documents may be directed to Akhila Mirza of the Dam Safety section at 860-424-3695 or Akhila.Mirza@ct.gov.
Before making a final decision on this application, the Commissioner shall consider written comments on the application from interested persons. Written comments on the application should be directed to the staff person indicated above no later than thirty (30) days from the publication date of this notice. Written comments may also be submitted in paper form to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection located at 79 Elm Street, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse Hartford, CT. In this submittal, please identify the name of the staff assigned to the application, the permit application number and your phone number and/or email address to facilitate responses to your comments. You may contact the staff person identified in this notice with any questions you may have.
PETITIONS FOR HEARING
The Commissioner may conduct a public hearing if the Commissioner determines that the public interest will best be served thereby or shall hold a hearing upon receipt of a petition signed by at least twenty-five persons. Petitions for a hearing shall be submitted within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this public notice, should include the application number noted above, and also identify a contact person to receive notifications. Petitions may also identify a person who is authorized to engage in discussions regarding the application and, if resolution is reached, withdraw the petition.
The Office of Adjudications will accept electronically filed petitions for hearing in addition to those submitted by mail or hand-delivered. Petitions with required signatures may be sent to deep.adjudications@ct.gov; those mailed or delivered should go to the DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. If the signed original petition is only in an electronic format, the petition must be submitted with a statement signed by the petitioner that the petition exists only in that form. Original petitions that were filed electronically must also be mailed or delivered to the Office of Adjudications within 10 days of electronic submittal.
All petitions must be received within the comment period noted above. If a hearing is held, timely notice of such hearing will be published in a newspaper of general circulation and posted on the DEEP website at http://www.ct.gov/deep.
/s/ Nisha Patel
Nisha Patel, P.E.
Director
Water Planning and Management Division
Published in The Chronicle on November 07, 2024.
ADA PUBLICATION STATEMENT
DEEP is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact DEEP by phone 860-418-5910 or email deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint.