Environmental Management and Sustainability at UConn EBC

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Environmental Management and Sustainability at
UConnEBC CT ChapterMay 16, 2006

• Richard A. Miller
• Director of Environmental Policy
• Email rich.miller_at_uconn.edu
• 860-486-8741

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University of Connecticut

• Established in 1881
• Over 4,000 Acres at Main Campus in Storrs
  (Mansfield)
• No. 1 Public University in New England (U.S. News
  World Report)
• Law School in Hartford
• Health Center in Farmington
• Five Regional Campuses
• Enrollment of 28,000
• 74 of students at Storrs live on-campus

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Environmental Policy Organization
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UConns Environmental Policy StatementAdopted
April 2004
  Performance The University will
institutionalize best practices and continually
monitor, report on and improve its environmental
performance.   Responsible management and growth
The University will endeavor to design, construct
and maintain its buildings, infrastructure and
grounds in a manner that ensures environmental
sustainability and protects public health and
safety.   Outreach The University will promote
environmental stewardship in Connecticut and
embrace environmental initiatives in partnership
with its surrounding communities.   Academics
The University will advance understanding of the
environment through its curriculum, research and
other academic programs, and will employ an ethic
of environmental stewardship in all intellectual
pursuits.   Conservation The University will
conserve natural resources, increase its use of
environmentally sustainable products, materials
and services, including renewable resources, and
prevent pollution and minimize wastes through
reduction, reuse and recycling.   Teamwork The
University will encourage teamwork and provide
groups and individuals with support, guidance and
recognition for achieving shared environmental
goals.
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2004-06 Sustainability Initiatives

• Sustainable Design Guidelines
• Climate Change - GHG Emissions Reductions
• Alternative Fuels
• Energy Conservation
• Water Conservation
• Recycling / Waste Paper Reduction
• Environmental Literacy
• Student Environmental Outreach - EcoHusky

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Students Drive Green Campus Initiatives

• Internships
• EPAC Subcommittees
• Class Projects
• Research Projects
• Events Activities
• Outreach

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Construction UConn 2000 / 21st Century19952005
/ 2005-2015

• 2.3 billion capital improvement program to
  renew, rebuild and enhance
• 130 projects over 2 Million
• 2.9 million GSF new construction
• 600,000 GSF renovation
• Applications, enrollment, diversity, academic
  metrics all up since 95

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Beyond Compliance Sustainable Development

• Opportunity ? 2.3 billion capital improvement
  program
• Rural setting for rapid growth
• Community ? environmentally aware and involved
• Need ? improved environmental performance
• Reflects UConns land grant values
• Environmental sustainability focus area in
  Academic Plan
• Makes sense! triple bottom line

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Sustainable Design Guidelines (SDGs) Align with
LEED Standards

• 5 Goals
• Minimize Site Disturbance
• Safeguard Water
• Reduce Energy Impacts
• Conserve Materials and Resources
• Create Healthy Indoor Environments

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Green Building at UConnFirst LEED-Registered
Athletic Facility in NCAA
SDGs in Action Conserving Materials - Recycled
Sneakers in Synthetic Turf
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Sustainable Design/LEED Matrix
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2003-04 East Campus Master Planof Conservation
and Development
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Environmental Compliance at UConn
Operations / Impacts

• Construction Activities
• Water Supply System
• Cogeneration / Central Utility Plant
• Sewage Plant

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Environmental Management Plan (EMP)Implementation
Process
EMP Team Director, Construction
Management Director, EHS Asst. Director,
Facilities Operations Director, Environmental
Policy (lead)
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Office of Environmental PolicyEnvironmental
Compliance Staff
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Construction-Related Env Compliance

• Flood Mngmt Certificates (Erosion Sedimentation
  Control)
• Wetlands Permits
• Stormwater Permits
• Dust Control
• Air Emissions
• Construction Waste Mngmt
• Site Assessment Remediation
• Spill Response Cleanup
• Etc.

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Larger Construction Projects Subject to
CEPAENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EVALUATION (EIE)

• Physical
• Air Quality
• Noise Light
• Traffic, Parking Circulation
• Public Utilities
• Potable Water Supply
• Stormwater Drainage
• Solid Hazardous Waste
• Aesthetics
• Cultural Resources

• Natural
• Geology, Topography Soils
• Surface Water
• Groundwater
• Floodplains
• Wetlands
• Fisheries
• Plants Wildlife/State Listed Species
• Specimen Trees

• Socioeconomic
• Land Use Zoning
• State, Local Campus Master Planning
• Open Space Farmland
• Public Health Safety
• Economy, Employment Income
• Environmental Justice

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Landfill Remediation Project

• 10-year, 27 million investigation and cleanup
• 67-acre preservation area gives faculty and
  students opportunities for applied research
  design projects
• Amphibian research, invasive species control
• Trail creation marking, wildlife observation
• Wetland restoration creation

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UConn Water Supply SystemAn Essential
Sustainable Growth Consideration

• 2 Major Wellfields
• Fenton (0.844 MGD)
• 4 wells, installed 1926-59
• Willimantic (2.3 MGD)
• 4 wells, installed 1970-98
• 8 Million Gallons Emergency Storage
• Regulated by DEP, DPH, EPA as Public Water Supply
  System
• 25,000 Population Served (90 On-Campus)
• 1.35 MGD avg day demand
• 2.1 2.2 MGD peak day demand Sept. 2005

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UConn Water SupplyAverage Daily Demand
UConn 2000 1995-2005 -- Water conservation
achieved by installing low-flow fixtures,
repairing and replacing leaky water supply
distribution infrastructure
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East Campus Fenton Wellfield
Legend Direct Recharge Area Fenton
Forest Special Forest Wetland
Soil Fenton Wellfield Historic District (Natl.
Registry)

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Stress on the Fenton River

• UConn Study Effects of Pumping Wells on Fenton
  River Instream Flow and Aquatic Habitat -- Sept.
  2003 to March 2006
• Findings During low-flow (drought) periods,
  pumping nearby wells can further reduce river
  flow
• Water Conservation helps! Voluntary measures
  after September 9 reduced campus water
  consumption by 100-150,000 GPD UConn ordered
  additional reductions

Fenton River September 9-15
Please conserve water!
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UConns Commitment to Restore Protect

• Re-Stock 1,000 Trout
• Promote Public Access for Fishing
• Study Re-Colonization of Invertebrates
• 700K Water Supply System Improvements to
  Increase Reliance on Wells Near Larger
  Willimantic River (.300 MGD increase)
• More Water Conservation! Demand-Side RFP
• Implement Fenton Studys Water System Management
  Recommendations

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Fenton River Study Recommendations

• Install Automated Stream Flow Gauge in Fenton
  River
• Repair or Replace Well D to Maximize Pumping
  Capacity
• Move Well A Further Away from River, Deeper into
  Aquifer
• Install/Update/Calibrate Motors, Meters and
  Electronic Controls
• Reduce or Stop Pumping Based on Low Flow Readings
  from Stream Gauge (6 3 cfs)

Fenton River Trout Re-Stocking April 2006
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Striving for Environmental Leadership
In departments throughout the University, from
the College of Agriculture Natural Resources to
Engineering and Liberal Arts, we are developing
conscientious thinkers and citizens by modeling
the behavior that we teach our students to
follow It is the cumulative effect of seemingly
minor events that will change the world.   It is
through innovative examples and teamwork that
UConn can be a steward of the Earths future. --
University of Connecticut President Phillip
Austin