Audubon
Society
Conducted an environmental survey on this 800-acre undeveloped property in Goshen,
Ct. Interest centered on how to develop this secluded area for passive recreation
and the practicality and social implications of limited timbering. Habitat restoration
and diversity were central considerations in the assessment of management options.
Bicron Electronics Corporation
Undertook a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of this light manufacturing
operation. This three-building site on eight acres is in a residential area
and adjacent to the Blackberry River and Penn Central Railroad property.
Bridgeport Hydraulic
Company Conducted an environmental feasibility study on the
530-acre Seymour Reservoir system in Oxford and Beacon Falls, Ct. The company
was considering removing the property from their reservoir system and was interested
in land use options and their potential environmental impacts regarding economic
development. Areas reviewed included timber management, agriculture, aquiculture,
and commercial, resort and residential development.
Connecticut Bus Company
This site in Hartford, Ct. had a long history of commercial use going back nearly
200 years. EECOS performed a Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
relating to the propertys historical and current function as a school
bus repair and maintenance facility. Of special interest were the nearly 20
Underground Storage Tanks, some dating back to the 1940s.
Connecticut College
Conducted a campus-wide Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. 99 academic,
administrative and support buildings and faculty and student housing were inspected
as part of this Phase I assessment. A related file search was conducted as well
as interviews with college personnel responsible for historical and current
compliance with environmental regulations.
Connecticut Department
of Housing
Prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact for a proposed 68-unit apartment
complex. Environmental issues taken into account included air quality, ambient
noise, energy consumption, traffic, aesthetics, and upland and wetland land
resources. Also covered were local and state regulatory issues and consideration
of siting alternatives.
Cornwall Land Trust
Retained by the trust to work with a number of landowners on land conservation
strategies. EECOS met with family members to provide overall options relating
to taxation issues, division of assets to minimize property division as well
as preserving land as a working asset.
Early Sunrise Farm
Prepared a master plan indicating conservation areas, farmland and forestland,
recreation and public-use areas and residential subdivision for this 2400-acre
property in Delaware County, New York. The basis for this analysis was a resource
inventory that looked at sustainable land-use practices in relation to taxation
issues and land suitability.
Foxwoods Casino/Mashantucket
Pequot Reservation Undertook a natural resource inventory
of the 3500-acre reservation in anticipation of further casino expansion. Included
was the development of a wildlife database and habitat impact assessment model
to better quantify potential impacts.
Great Mountain
Forest Developed research, education and forest management
programs for this 7000-acre private forest. Great Mountain is a model research
center and working forest and a training ground for ecologists. The emphasis
of the program was on alternatives to traditional sales and marketing of forest
products.
Great Neck Village Subdivision
Assessed the potential wetlands impacts of proposed home sites in this
14-lot subdivision. Recommendations for buffer zones, open space setasides and
lot locations were all part of the planning analysis.
Humane Society of Connecticut
Provided a baseline natural resource inventory and impact analysis of
their headquarters lands. They were concerned with potential development on
adjacent farmland and its effect on wildlife habitat and water quality on their
property.
Kent Hollow Farm
Analyzed product and environmental issues on this 1100-acre family owned
farm which includes nearly 600 acres of wetlands. Areas covered included forest
products, mineral extraction, groundwater withdrawal, fish farming, vineyard
creation, row cropping and livestock. Market and management questions were considered
in relation to potential environmental impacts. Estate planning issues were
also discussed.
Litchfield Land Trust
Prepared "Conservation Documentation Reports" on their holdings
of nearly 100 easement and fee properties. Properties ranged in size from a
few acres to over a 100 acres. Topics covered included conducting a basic ecological
inventory; assessing landowners reserved rights on easements and management
recommendations on fee properties. This project took two years to complete.
McCulloch Farm Performed an environmental
inventory and prepared a documentation report focusing on impacts of land use
practices as they related to the placement of a Conservation Easement on the
property. This 400-acre farm had not been a working concern for over 50 years
and interest centered on successional issues as they related to overall changes
in the landscape and future agricultural uses.
Plum Bank Beach
Faced with possible development for a parking lot, EECOS was asked to
assess whether this dune complex was a naturally functioning system. An ecological
inventory and sand profiling revealed that this was indeed one of the last remnant
dune complexes remaining in an otherwise developed area.
Sand Pond
The numerous family members and the impending generational change made planning
essential if this 2000-acre property was to remain in tact. EECOS conducted
a natural resource inventory and presented planning options. Estate planning
issues included taxation questions and limited development as it related to
maintaining the environmental integrity of this mostly unfragmented and ecologically
diverse landscape. Planning and implementation has been ongoing for over six
years.
Steep Rock Reservation Located in Washington
Depot, Connecticut, this 2000 acre preserve incorporates lands along the Shepaug
River. The Steep Rock board was interested in planning for the future management
of the reservation as it related to passive recreation, education and forest
health. An inventory and analysis of the natural resources was performed as
the basis for planning and management recommendations.
Town of Wilton, Ct.
Produced environmental assessment and land-use management plans for a 58-acre
and 100-acre park. Using a plot transect system the natural resource base was
inventoried including geology, hydrology, wildlife and vegetation. Management
plans were reviewed in relation to park health and use impacts. Passive recreation
management plans were developed to take maximum advantage of the parks resources
while minimizing impacts.
Trust for Public Land:
Frost Valley YMCA Examined the environmental implications
of participation in the City of New Yorks watershed easement acquisition
program. YMCA board members were concerned about tying up their future expansion
options on the 4500-acre property. Working with TPL, EECOS developed a rational
for joining the program that balanced environmental and economic considerations.
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