Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here


20BY26 Header image

Building upon the foundation of our highly successful 20BY20 initiative, DEEP’s new 20BY26 initiative commits to pursuing 20 measurable improvements across the agency that increase the predictability, efficiency, and transparency of DEEP’s processes. The 20BY26 initiative will focus not only on continuing to implement those successful strategies for regulatory process improvement but also on developing new ones to benefit the businesses, towns, and people of Connecticut.

Through 20BY26, DEEP has identified 16 goals and has now added 4 new goals based on suggestions from our stakeholders.

Read the Introductory Message from Commissioner Dykes Here

Click to jump to a section: 
Materials & Reports | Contact Us | 20BY26 Goals | Events

Materials & Reports

DEEP will release reports on our progress in each of the 20 goals to maintain accountability to our commitments.

Contact Us, Stay Updated

Want to receive reports and other news as they are released? 


DEEP's 20BY26 Goals

20BY26 Goal 1:

ADOPT RELEASE-BASED REGULATIONS TO MODERNIZE CONNECTICUT’S CLEANUP FRAMEWORK

Because clear standards are needed for environmental cleanups

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Timely audit decisions for Transfer Act sites (Goal 4) and finalized revisions to Remediation Standard Regulations and Environmental Use Restrictions Regulations (Goal 5)

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Secure formal adoption of Release-Based Regulations


20BY26 Goal 2:

ACHIEVE 90% ON-TIME COMPLETION FOR CRITICAL PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Because businesses need to know what to expect

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Transparent and predictable permitting timeframes


blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Achieve 90% on-time completion rate for critical permit applications


 

20BY26 Goal 3:

REDUCE LEGACY PERMIT BACKLOG BY 65% BY 2026

Because closing out long-pending permit applications enhances environmental protection and regulatory certainty

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Cut a backlog of pre-2017 permit applications by 45%


blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Reducing legacy permit backlog by 65% 


20BY26 Goal 4:

STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES

Because businesses and the public should be aware of activities that may have an environmental impact on their communities

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Increased transparency of environmental enforcement efforts 


blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Ensuring consistency across DEEP’s enforcement programs, inclusion of equity and environmental justice in decision-making


20BY26 Goal 5:

EXPAND COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE

Because businesses need assistance and improving assistance leads to better environmental outcomes

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Enhanced use and ease of compliance assistance mechanisms in permitting and enforcement

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Providing greater compliance assistance in sectors with higher noncompliance


20BY26 Goal 6:

ENHANCED FINANCIAL ASSURANCE TRACKING AND MANAGEMENT

Because robust and clear financial assurance mechanisms ensure compliance, consistency, predictability, and protection 

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Strategic planning for use of financial assurance, agency-wide

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Implement the strategic vision for comprehensive financial assurance management


20BY26 Goal 7:

COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOP REGULATIONS THAT IMPLEMENT RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE REFORMS 

Because clear standards are needed for underserved communities

blue target iconAs part of this new goal in the 20BY26 initiative, DEEP will provide for a predictable timetable and transparent process for implementation of Environmental Justice regulations.


20BY26 Goal 8:

EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION FOR EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Because awareness of our laws promotes equity

blue target iconWhile 20BY26’s Goal 7 implements the cumulative impact provisions of Public Act 23-202, Goal 8 focuses on the provisions of that Public Act that expanded public participation requirements for certain permit applications.


20BY26 Goal 9:

ENHANCED PUBLIC RECORDS TRANSPARENCY 

Because businesses and the public need greater access to information for research, planning, and accountability

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Digitization of more than 1 million documents

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Complete document digitization for large record sets


20BY26 Goal 10:

EXPAND TOOLS FOR ONLINE SERVICES 

Because technology can create more efficient processes to better communicate with you

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Established e-permitting options for six permit types (Goal 13) and launched the Natural Diversity Database (Goal 9)

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Integrate e-filing and data management systems


20BY26 Goal 11:

SPEED UP GRANT AND CONTRACTING PROCESSES BY 50% FOR KEY GRANT PROGRAMS

Because grant funds can make positive impacts on our communities and businesses and improve the sustainability of our environment 

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Digitized processes for better contract routing and execution

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Speeding up DEEP’s grants and contracting processes, by 50% for key grant programs


20BY26 Goal 12:

EXPAND DEEP CONCIERGE SERVICES TO MUNICIPALITIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES

Because helping our partners results in environmental success

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Established DEEP’s Permitting Concierge (Goal 12) and provided timely pre-application assistance (Goal 2)

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Build out DEEP’s Client Concierge Services Service with a focus on municipalities and small businesses


20BY26 Goal 13:

STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION WITH DEEP

Because engaging in collaborative partnerships can enhance achievement of our mission

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Agency-wide succession planning and increased stakeholder engagement

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:

Improving access to DEEP staff and resources through better communication, opportunities for stakeholders to participate in shaping our policies and regulations, and outreach.

 

 


20BY26 Goal 14:

PERMITTING FOR DECARBONIZATION

Because permitting renewable energy strikes the right balance for reaching our zero carbon goals while protecting our natural resources and environment 

blue target icon

Building on the progress of Sustainable, Transparent, and Efficient Practices for Solar (STEPS) and the Commission on Environmental Standards (CES), DEEP is committing in 2026 to developing a broader programmatic approach for meeting renewable energy goals while protecting our natural resources and environment and following through on best practices to streamline renewable energy permitting, including battery storage, solar, and wind energy.


20BY26 Goal 15:

TOOLS FOR NAVIGATING AVAILABLE FEDERAL & STATE FUNDING

Because connecting residents with funding opportunities is key to improving equity and accessibility 

blue target icon

Increasing the deployment of clean energy, energy efficiency, broadband, and energy storage technologies, as well as providing resources to reduce GHG emissions and support investments in environmental priorities, are critical actions that DEEP is leading. Ensuring that the public has easy access to these resources is essential.


20BY26 Goal 16:

DEEP PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC ENTITIES IN STATE PARKS

Because partnerships elevate the outdoor experience for everyone

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Innovative partnerships to improve services

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Launching the Partnership in Parks initiative



NEW 20BY26 Goal 17:

IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF NDDB REVIEW

 

Because predictability is critical to environmental protection and economic development

 

green target iconWhat We Achieved in 20BY20:
Significant upgrades that resulted in a new Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) system that allows digital submission and automatic determinations for many NDDB review requests (NDDB staff biologists conduct the more in-depth, technically complex reviews).

 

blue target iconBuilding on Our Success in 20BY26:
Generate process and conservation outcome improvements from internal and external stakeholder feedback, and a realistic timeframe for their implementation. 


NEW 20BY26 Goal 18:

ENHANCING DAM SAFETY THROUGH IMPROVED PERMITTING FOR REPAIR AND REMOVAL

Because public safety and environmental and ecological health are key elements in dams' roles for water supply, recreation, energy production and more 

 

blue target icon
Improve dam permitting process through initiating an advisory group, analysis of DEEP controlled dams, and creation of sediment management guidelines.


NEW 20BY26 Goal 19:

ESTABLISH EQUITY HUBS

Because listening and engaging with Connecticut communities will build inclusivity and link DEEP’s efforts to on the ground realities

 

blue target icon
Establish Equity Hubs to provide community-based services and support related to DEEP’s programs and initiatives in communities that face environmental and public heath burdens and are economically distressed.


20BY26 Goal 20:

DEVELOP A METRICS DASHBOARD

Because  we want to raise awareness and empower residents to join DEEP’s mission addressing climate change, protecting the environment and natural resources of Connecticut, and promoting environmental justice.    

 

blue target icon
Launch a Metrics Dashboard to highlight metrics in energy, waste, and climate mitigation sectors


Events

More Coming soon: in person and online. Please stay tuned!

6/18/24: DEEP’s Remediation Roundtable Forum 

6/6/24: Annual CBIA E2 Conference

5/29/24: Pullman & Comley Annual Legislative Breakfast 

5/17/24: Waterbury Regional Chamber

4/30/24 CT Bar 

4/23/24: Webinar for Chambers, COGs, and municipal organizations 

4/18/24: CBIA presentation on new EJ laws and regs (Goals 7&8) 

4/17/24: Environmental Business Council

4/11/24: SIPRAC stakeholder meeting 

3/21/24: CBIA E2 

3/6/24: CT Environmental Forum

3/1/24: Governor’s Event, Waterbury

 

 

Content last updated August, 2024