The University of Connecticut (UConn) is planning to design and reconstruct Mirror Lake – a large stormwater basin on the Storrs Campus, in the area of the South Campus roughly bounded by Storrs Road to the east, Mansfield Road to the south and west, and Harry Grant Manchester Hall to the north. Known as the “Mirror Lake Improvements Project,” the Proposed Action to be assessed under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) process consists of the following elements:

• Utility and infrastructure improvements, including tie-in to existing utilities available in the project area
• Mirror Lake restoration, dam and spillway modifications, and green infrastructure improvements for storm water management

The Proposed Action is located within the Roberts Brook sub-watershed, within the Fenton River watershed, and within the University of Connecticut Historic District. Elements of the Proposed Action were identified in the University’s Campus Master Plan, including improvements to Mirror Lake and its immediate surroundings. An updated campus drainage master plan and a recently-completed feasibility study for Mirror Lake identified needed modifications to the storm water basin, spillway and dam to improve storage, quality, and safety. UConn will incorporate comments from a public scoping meeting and evaluate the Proposed Action with taking no action or other feasible alternatives. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with the Proposed Action will also be assessed.

Click the following link for a general location of the project area:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/UConn/Mirror-Lake-Improvements/Site_Map_Mirror_Lake.pdf

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on December 16, 2021.

There will be a VIRTUAL Public Scoping Meeting for this proposed action on Wednesday, December 8th at 6:30 PM (EST).  Participants MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE through the following link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6080155684541563918

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting (including an option to join by phone).  Additional information regarding the meeting, as well as a link to a recording of the meeting, will be posted at updc.uconn.edu.

A recording of the December 8th public meeting may be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/336ak3d7.

Written Comments and/or Requests for Public Scoping Meeting Materials Should Be Sent by Fax or E-mail to:

James Libby, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB

University of Connecticut, University Planning, Design and Construction

31 LeDoyt Rd, Unit 3038, Storrs, CT 06269-3038

Fax: (860) 486-3117

E-mail: james.libby@uconn.edu

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to:

Public Records Administration

c/o University Communications

34 North Eagleville Road, U-3144, Storrs, CT 06269-3144

E-Mail: https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/

Phone: (860) 486-5337

What Happens Next: UConn 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.

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