Environmental Impact Statement
Lakeshore Nature Preserve Outreach Center
Project #A-22-007_9950-2218
University of Wisconsin – Madison

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping meeting to present the proposed UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve Outreach Center project will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 279 245 268 085; Passcode: RxzJ7v) and telephone (+1 715-318-5006, 959821715#) on May 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM. A description of the project will be presented, and all persons will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to identify both orally and in writing any support, issues, or concerns they believe should be addressed during the EIS process for this proposed project. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act, Wisconsin Statutes 1.11, and University of Wisconsin System Administration guidelines.

Project Background

The proposed Outreach Center, spanning approximately 10,000 gross square feet, will be located within the Lakeshore Nature Preserve on the UW-Madison campus. Its primary objective is to create a dedicated space for experiential, hands-on learning while expanding the research, teaching, and outreach capabilities of the Preserve. This center will be housed in a sustainable facility that incorporates resilient green building design elements. The project also involves relocating a portion of University Bay Drive and shifting lot 130 to the north. The new road pavement will maintain a similar distance from the Class of 1918 Marsh as the existing parking lot. Additionally, existing bio-infiltration swales will be reconfigured to accommodate the building. The Outreach Center’s funding relies entirely on gifts and grants, with a proposed budget of $16,500,000.

An initial requirement of the EIS is the scoping process, with the intent of identifying any potential impacts of the project on the physical, biological, social, historic, and economic environments at an early stage. Impacts that are identified during this process will be incorporated into a Draft EIS which will be made available to the public for a 45-day review period and circulated to appropriate agencies and interested parties. The Scoping Letter is being made available to the public and to appropriate agencies for a 15-day review period, which begins April 24, 2024.

If you are interested in this project, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or other input you feel are important. Please submit your comments related to this project in writing by May 8, 2024, for consideration in the Draft EIS report. Comment forms are available via the project website. Send your comments to:

Mitchell Banach, PG
Ayres Associates
3433 Oakwood Hills Parkway
Eau Claire, WI 54701
BanachM@AyresAssociates.com

Click Here to View:
Scoping Letter (3,713 Kb, PDF File)