Science & Outdoors
Suite new residence hall, but how will it impact the environment?
The Pointer
ataub878@uwsp.edu
The demand for modern living options in student housing has increased significantly, explaining why Residential Living has proposed a project to construct a new residence hall on campus. But how will this enormous project impact the environment?
A public meeting to present a draft of the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point suite-style residence hall was held on Tuesday, March 31 in the Laird Room of the Dreyfus University Center. Explaining the environmental impact, the draft of the EIS relayed any potential effects the project might have on physical, biological, social and economic environments.
The project will include the demolition and recycling of Hyer Hall and the construction of a 330-bed, suite-style residence hall that will be fashioned for upper-level and graduate students. The destruction of Hyer Hall is anticipated for July 2009, with assembly of the new residence hall starting in fall 2009. Completion of the project is projected for summer 2011.
According to the draft of the EIS, there are no expected long-term biological impacts. The project will not have an unfavorable impact on air quality beyond the short-term emissions from construction equipment and will have no major effect on the soils beyond the possibility of erosion during construction.
There will, however, be a permanent loss of approximately 0.60 acres of green space, along with the removal of 44 trees.
Social impacts will be primarily due to demolition, construction noise and vibrations. These impacts should be short-term, minor nuisances to neighbors, students, faculty and workers in the area. The project may also have a negative impact on local landlords.
The total project cost is anticipated to be $35.5 million, which will be financed using Program Revenue Supported Borrowing, not tax dollars.
The draft was prepared in accordance with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act, Wisconsin Statutes 1.11 and University of Wisconsin System Administration guidelines.
An in-depth description of the project and its potential impacts was presented at the meeting, allowing anyone who attended the opportunity to identify any issues or concerns.
The comments and inquiries raised on the draft of the EIS will now be used to develop the final EIS, which will be circulated to the public and commenting agencies for a subsequent 30-day review period. A public hearing will then be held on the final EIS for additional comment. Following the public hearing, the UW System will develop a conclusion on the findings of the EIS.
