Environmental Impact Statement
Lakeshore Nature Preserve Outreach Center
Project #A-22-007_9950-2218
University of Wisconsin – Madison
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) public meeting to present the proposed UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve Outreach Center project will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 232 521 679 780; Passcode: GQn4QG) and telephone (+1 715-318-5006, 519696154#) on Wednesday, September 4, 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 9,000 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 bioswales 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.
The purpose of the Draft EIS is to define the project and identify potential impacts of the project on the physical, biological, social, historic, and economic environments. The Draft EIS is being made available to the public and to appropriate agencies for a minimum 45-day review period, which begins on July 20, and concludes on September 4. Copies of the document will be available at the reference desks at the Madison Public Library – Central Branch and the UW-Madison College Library. The Draft EIS Report and comment forms are also available at the following project website: http://www.ayresprojectinfo.com.
If you are interested in this project or have any information relevant to it, we welcome your comments, suggestions, or other input. For consideration in the Final EIS, please submit your comments at the meeting or in writing by September 4 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)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (51,558 Kb, PDF File)
Draft EIS Comment Form (101 Kb, PDF File)