DEEP New Normal Information

Doing Business with DEEP

For your convenience, many DEEP programs continue to encourage digital submissions, and the use of many accessible online services. These services include:

Select documents including Hazardous Waste Manifests are now electronically accessible on the DEEP Document Online Search Portal. Please use this portal to search for documents that you may need before submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. If you still wish to submit a FOIA request, please submit your request electronically to DEEP.FOIA@ct.gov. DEEP's FOIA webpage provides information relating to submission requests.

If you are looking to submit or pay for Marine Event Permits, Fishing Derby and Fish Importation/Liberation Permits, Radiation Registrations (DTX and RMI), Stormwater Registrations (Construction, Industrial and No Exposure) or Underground Storage Tank Notifications please visit our ezFile website.

Requests for records may be submitted by sending a completed File Request Form to DEEP.RecordsCenter@ct.gov. Requests will be fulfilled in the order in which they are received, DEEP's Records Center webpage provides additional information including hours of operation.

DEEP's Records Center

Starting June 1st, public access to DEEP’s records center at 79 Elm Street, Hartford will be available to a maximum capacity of 12. We strongly recommend you schedule an appointment online ahead of time to confirm your spot on any given day. Please reference the DEEP Records Center webpage for additional details including hours of operation.

Adjudications (Environmental Hearings)

The Office of Adjudications will accept electronically-filed or mailed petitions and requests for hearing. Petitions or requests with required signatures may be sent to www.deep.adjudications@ct.gov or mailed to the DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106.

Within 30 days, original petitions or requests that were filed electronically must be also be mailed to the Office of Adjudications. If the original petition or request exists only in electronic format with printed signatures, the petition or request must be submitted with a statement bearing the wet-ink signature of the petitioner or requester that the petition or request is only available in that format and has been submitted to satisfy the requirement that an original petition or request be filed.

All meetings and hearings are currently being held via web-based conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom) until further notice.

Boating

Download the 2021 New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines

Return to normal (pre-COVID) parking capacity Limits. Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to wear a mask outdoors. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. Boating education certification courses will continue to be allowed to be offered on an interactive videoconferencing platform pursuant to Executive order 7JJ.

Bottle Bill

As of June 3rd, 2020 all redemption centers are to resume full service. More information is available on the COVID-19 Bottle Bill Frequently Asked Questions web page. Please contact the Environmental Justice Program (edith.pestana@ct.gov) at DEEP if you have further questions or to report a compliance issue with a bottle redemption center or retailer.

Environmental Justice—Public Participation

Effective immediately, all Environmental Justice Plans shall be submitted for review by email to Edith Pestana of the Environmental Justice Program at edith.pestana@ct.gov

View the CT DEEP Environmental Justice Public Participation Plan

Hunting, Fishing and Forestry

Connecticut’s outdoors, including state wildlife management areas and state forests, are open for wildlife and fish-related recreation, such as bird watching, hunting, fishing, nature walks, and more. When visiting outdoor areas, try to distance from others outside of your household and if you’re not vaccinated wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible. Face coverings must be worn by all visitors at all times when inside any state facilities (i.e., field offices, fish hatcheries, visitor centers, etc.). All visitors are asked to Recreate Responsibly!

Sales of Hunting and Fishing Licenses, Stamps, and Permits

Hunting and fishing licenses, stamps, and permits can be purchased 24/7 on the DEEP’s Online Outdoor Licensing System. These items can also be purchased at outdoor equipment retailers and some town halls (please check with your local town hall to find out about availability or any restrictions).

Starting June 1, 2021, the Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods (Burlington; directions) and Franklin (North Franklin; directions) Field Offices and DEEP’s Western District Headquarters (Harwinton; directions) will be open for hunting and fishing license sales, Monday – Friday, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Face coverings must be worn by all visitors at all times when inside the buildings. No public restrooms are available inside the Sessions Woods and Franklin offices.
Please note that the Sessions Woods and Franklin Field Offices are not currently staffed to full capacity. Front office staff will be available for assistance during regular operating hours. As we work toward reopening these offices, some staff are in the field while others are still teleworking. The best way to reach staff is to call the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011 or send an email to deep.wildlife@ct.gov.
License sales may be limited at DEEP’s Eastern District (Marlborough; 860-295-9523) and Marine District (Old Lyme; 860-434-6043) Headquarters at this time. Please check with one of the offices before you go. Face coverings must be worn by all visitors at all times when inside the buildings.

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area and Conservation Education Center

The trails at Sessions Woods remain open for public use. When hiking on the trails, those who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.
Starting June 1, 2021, the exhibit area in the Sessions Woods Conservation Education Center will be open for public visitation on Mondays – Fridays, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Face coverings must be worn by all visitors at all times when inside the building. No public restrooms are available inside the Center.
Over the course of the summer, public events will start to be scheduled. In the meantime, check the DEEP Calendar for a listing of events and activities.

Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Classes

The Wildlife Division will continue to hold the Modified Field Days for firearms, bowhunting, and trapping classes. These classes are a combination of online coursework and a mandatory field day. Evening and weekend field days are now being offered.

Public Shooting Ranges

The Glastonbury Public Shooting Range will be open for reservations in the near future. The Wildlife Division is in the process of hiring certified Range Safety Officers to ensure a safe and informative experience for range users. Stay tuned to the Glastonbury Range webpage and the Connecticut Fish and Wildlife Facebook page to get updates on reopening.
Wooster Mountain State Park Cooperative Shooting Range in Danbury is open. Call 203-794-982 or check their website for information.
High Rock Cooperative Shooting Range in Naugatuck is open. Call 203-720-1101 or check their website for information.
Nye Holman Field Archery Range in Nye Holman State Forest, Tolland, Rte. 74. Entrance on South River Road. Field course available to public at all times unless posted otherwise. Field points only, arrows with broadheads are strictly prohibited.

Learn to Fish with CARE (CT Aquatic Resource Education Program)

The CARE program is here to help you get fishing by offering Introduction to Fishing ZOOM classes and fishing field trips! We have moved the classroom online and limited group sizes on our fishing field trips to keep you and our staff safe. For details on our upcoming programs and classes check our webpage.

Visiting Our State Fish Hatcheries

Starting June 1, 2021, the indoor self-guided public visiting areas at the Burlington State Fish Hatchery (860-673-2340) and Quinebaug State Fish Hatchery (860-564-7542) will reopen. Hatchery hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, every day of the week. All visitors must wear a face covering at all times while indoors.

Outdoor Recreation

Download the 2021 New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines

State Parks and Forests

Campgrounds will be open for the 2021 season to campers with reservations, made through Reserve America.
Camping cabins are open for reservation.
Museums and Nature Centers will be open for the 2021 season Memorial Day Weekend, May 28, 2021.
Follow @CTStateParkson Twitter for the most up to date information.

Waste Management

At this time, the extension of the Solid Waste General Permit to Construct and Operate a Commercial Facility for the Management of Recyclable Materials and Certain Solid Waste has expired (May, 3, 2021) and all pre-COVID guidelines should be followed.

Wastewater Operator Exams

The suspension of examination requirements order under regulations of Connecticut State Agencies during the COVID-19 emergency ended on June 30, 2021. However, pursuant to Chapter 439, Section 22a-6(a)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding to the commissioner’s authority, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will continue offering computer based testing for wastewater operator certification. Please refer to the Operator Certification for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities webpage for DEEP’s Examination Notice for information about the examination process and required applications . You may also join DEEP’s Municipal Wastewater Updates Newsletterfor information on future exam dates.

Wastewater MORs

DEEP has established a dedicated address DEEP.WPCF@ct.gov for submission of Monthly Operating Reports and Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring Reports to allow facilities to submit those permit-required documents by email. Please continue to use the email address.

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection