HARTFORD — Several government agencies and non­profit groups have begun assessing the environmental damage inflicted on shoreline areas in Connecticut and other states by Hurricane Sandy, with the ultimate goal of identifying ways to better protect both human development and wildlife habitats vulnerable to storm surges.

The Oct. 29 storm damaged scores of homes along Connecticut’s coast, pushed sand from beaches into neighborhoods, and led to discharges of millions of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into Long Island Sound. Damage was similar but more widespread in coastal areas of New Jersey and New York.