wetland mitigation: land use sustainabilty development
DESCRIPTION
First in a series of presentations given under the work group: Land Use & Sustainable Development an advisory work group to the President to the university under the Environmental Policy Advisory Council. An opportunity of educational outreach to comply with state mandated cease & desist order for mandatory remediation of a 60 acre parcel of property with a closed landfill. Powerpoint presentation to architectural & engineering group for additionalTRANSCRIPT
University of Connecticut
Site Closure: Wetland Mitigation & Landfill capping
Brief History of the site
Landfill (source remains)Operated 1966-1989
Estimated 85% paper, 15% mixed refuse (chemicals mixed with household trash)
Former Chemical pits (source removed)
Clean Harbors removed 5,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil.
Soil gases remained due to volatile organic compounds.
Contaminated groundwater trapped in bedrock
F Lot (former ash disposal sites)
First used in 1950’s and 1960’s as a disposal site for ash from incinerators. The university built the parking lot over the area between 1965 and 1970. In the late 1990’s the site was tested for potential development but upon its findings UConn determined not to build on the site and capped the site in 1999.
ACTION PLAN
Attend DEP Public Hearing for comments on Mitigation Plan
Present approved Closure design and Mitigation Plan at Open House
DEP Permits and Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit to follow
Implement Remedial Action Plan (sediment removal and landfill/former chemical pits closure)
Monitor wetland creation and restoration
Control invasive plants
Project Objectives
Environmental•Eliminate leachate discharge to surface waters.
•Mitigate/contain contaminates that threaten water supply wells.
•Wetland restoration & creation
•Vernal Pool creation
•Invasive species control
Educational•Create opportunities for students and faculty to participate in research/design process
•The need to preserve open space at the university level
Development/Maintenance/Management
Landfill
N. Hillside Rd.
Hunting Lodge Rd.
F Lot
N. Eagleville Rd.
N
Total preservation area:
60.3 acres wetland/upland mix
Landfill is uncapped, unlined
Infiltration generates leachate
Leachate discharges to surface waters
Metals precipitate on sediments in the wetlands
LANDFILL REMEDIATION
Environmental
WETLAND DISTURBANCE & CREATION
• Remove contaminated sediments (DEP requirement)
• Remove waste from wetlands• Restore to existing grades • Protect existing vernal pool
north of the landfill
WETLAND CREATION AREA
•Within proposed Open Space
•Protected by substantial buffer
•Accessible by existing path
VERNAL POOL CREATION AREA
VP-B
VP-C
•Remove debris and trash
•Control invasive species
•Set aside open space NW of landfill, consistent with UConn Master Plan
•Open Space Area links to Mansfield Open Space
•Use existing routes for access
INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL & LINKAGES TO OPEN SPACE
Invasive SpeciesControl Area
Landfill
Open Space Area
INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL & LINKAGES TO OPEN SPACE
LINKAGES TO OPEN SPACE Proposed bike path
• DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Budgeting: Mason & Associates w/ UCONN & the O.E.P•Cost estimate
Plantings -- Landscape furnishings -- Signage
•Project Initiatives
Invasive species control mapping system – BG map
Education opportunities
•Community outreach -
•Research opportunities
•Design opportunities – Kristin Schwab’s class Planting Design class
•Student club involvement
Oversight committee•Review committee to review student schematics
Management Plan
•Working relationship with construction manager, senior project manager, construction company, nurseries, landscape architects, wetland consultants, etc.
Maintenance Plan
Working relationship with UConn landscaping facilities to train & maintain site.
Conclusion
•Remedial Action plan : construction to begin this winter
•Begin mapping invasive species area and catalog
•Availability for educational opportunities
•Develop design schematics, budget proposals, oversight committee
•Develop a maintenance/management plan and establish a working relationship with landscaping facilities for following areas:
Wetland creation/preservation/remediation area
Vernal Pool restoration/creation area
Andrea Vassallo, Office of Environmental Policy, intern
Much thanks to Rich Miller, Director of the Office of Environmental Policy at the University of Connecticut
All information compiled from the Wetland Mitigation Assessment Report by Mason & Associates, Haley & Aldrich & the University of Connecticut
For further information:
www.landfillproject.uconn.edu