University of Connecticut: Wetland Mitigation Planting Design

Project Plan

Office of Environmental Policy

Andrea Vassallo, Intern

•THE NEED TO MITIGATE AT UCONN

•A DEVELOPMENT OF ACTION FOR OPEN SPACE AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

•IMPLIMENTING ACTION AT THE WORKGROUP LEVEL

•PEER INSTITUTIONS’ WITH MITIGATED WETLANDS

•IMPLIMENTING ACTION AT THE STUDENT/FACULTY

A unique situation at UCONN

CONSENT ORDER

State of Connecticut vs. University of Connecticut

Discharge of substance/materials into the waters of the state.

Vegetation cover

Install final cover

Eliminate leachate

Monitor ground water

Landfill regrading

Direct impact of quality of space and the surrounding built environment

A unique opportunity at UCONN

Wetland Assessment report suggests to enhance

wetland education

Wetland C

Mitigation monitoring

Wetland studies

Invasive plant species control

Wildlife observation

• PLAN A FUTURE FOR OPEN SPACE AT UCONN

Site selection: Mason & Associates

Wetland site analysis diagram: Mason & Associates

– General design outline

• 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

• RESOURCES Develop funding opportunities

• DEVELOPING A MAINTENANCE PLAN

UCONN, the O.E.P., LANDSCAPING SERVICES

• MANAGEMENT PLAN

Landfill Remediation workgroup

Final design plan selected, revision and oversight

• MONITORING PROGRAM

5-10 year mandatory monitoring plan:

Monthly inspections for 1st year (seasonal thereafter)

1. Vegetative cover

2. Soils and hydrology

3. Erosion control

4. Wildlife activity

5. Presence of invasive/noxious species

6. Permit compliance

7. Necessary remedial actions.

Ohio State University Wetland Research

Park

Olentangy River

Universities w/ Mitigated Wetlands

Algae Swamp

Ohio State Wetland Research Park

Bird watching

Replanting activity

Where to begin?

University of Connecticut: Wetland Mitigation Planting Design

Project Outreach Initiatives

BUDGET PROPOSALS$7-8 million dollars left for this entire project$153,500 allocated for planting budget

CLAUDIA DINEPLandscape Architecture Associate Professor, UConnGreen Valley Institute

Advisement, through the O.E.P., of sequencing, cost estimating and landscape project management.

KRISTIN SCHWABLandscape Architecture Program Coordinator / ProfessorArboretum Committee member

University of Connecticut: Wetland Mitigation Planting Design

Project Outreach Initiatives

PLANT SCIENCE 268Planting Design

Students to analyze prospective site and develop schematics base on the university’s Sustainable Design Guidelines.Consult with wetland consultant, Chris Mason, to fulfill state and federal requirements per Consent Order .

STUDENT CLUBSSolicit on campus student organizations for design proposals Upon inquiry student representatives will be briefed on requirements and project objectives

University of Connecticut: Wetland Mitigation Planting Design

Project Outreach Initiatives

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

HORTICULTURE CLUB

ECOHUSKY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY

FORESTRY CLUB

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLUB

MINORITIES IN AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND

RELATED SCIENCES

TURF CLUB

WILDLIFE CLUB

DESIGNERS WANTED

Unique design opportunity available on UCONN property !

About the site:60+ acresFormer waste disposal siteOn site conditions include wetlands and vernal pools

Must Include:Use native plants Multiuse trail system

For further information please contact: Office of Environmental Policy 31 LeDoyt Road Telephone: 860.486.5773 Fax: 860.486.5477 E-mail: andrea.vassallo@uconn.edu

Where next?

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Specific guidelines and requirements the committee must review for.

RICH MILLERCHRIS MASON

Members of ARBORETUMJOHN ALEXOPOULOUS

DAVID SCHROEDEREtc.

MANAGEMENT PLAN Working relationship with contractors, consultants, nurseries, etc.

MAINTENANCE PLAN Working relationship with landscaping facilities at UCONN.

MUCH THANKS TO…

Chris Mason, Mason & Associates

Rich Miller, Director of the Office of Environmental Policy

Jim Pietrak, Senior Project Manager, Architectural & Engineering Services at UCONN

Kristin Schwab, Professor of Landscape Architecture at UCONN

Claudia Dinep, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at UCONN

Jessica Kukiekla, Intern at the Office of Environmental Policy