Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. 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

Reporting Requirements for Spill Incidents

Release Reporting Regulations

Report of Pollution Incident by Petroleum or Chemical Products as required by Chapter 446k, Section 22a-450, of the Connecticut General Statutes.

  • The master of any ship, boat, barge or other vessel, or
  • the person in charge of any terminal for the loading of any oil or petroleum or chemical liquids or solid, liquid or gaseous products or hazardous wastes, or
  • the person in charge of any establishment, or
  • the operator of any vehicle, trailer or other machine

which by accident, negligence or otherwise causes the discharge, spillage, uncontrolled loss, seepage or filtration of oil or petroleum or chemical liquids or solid, liquid or gaseous products or hazardous wastes, shall immediately report such facts to:

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Emergency Response Unit, 860-424-3338 or toll free 1-866-DEP-SPIL (1-866-337-7745), 24 hours/day.  Should these number become unavailable for any reason, call 860-424-3333.

Immediately after the spill you are required to report facts such as:

  • the location;
  • the quantity and type of substance, material or waste;
  • the date and the cause of the incident;
  • the name and address of the owner; and
  • the name and address of the person making the report and his relationship to the owner.

Note:  Unless specifically requested, or as required for compliance with EPCRA, the DEEP does not require a written submission when reporting a spill.   

Penalties

Any person who fails to report incidents as required by Chapter 446k, Section 22a-450 may be fined not more than $1,000 and the employer of such person not more than $5,000.

Federally Required Reporting

Incidents that are required to be reported under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know, SARA Title III, CERCLA, RCRA, Federal Code of Regulations Title 40 (Environmental Protection) and/or Title 49 (Transportation) are reportable to the State Emergency Response Commission (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) at 860-424-3338 and the National Response Center, 800-424-8802 and the local community emergency coordinator.  A report to the local fire department is also recommended (911 throughout Connecticut.).

Responsibility for Clean Up of Spills Posing a Threat to the Environment

It is the legal responsibility of the parties that caused the spill and the property owners to clean up the pollution and will attempt to get these parties to take appropriate action to clean up the spill immediately.  As required by CGS Section 22a-454, any clean up must be performed by a licensed contractor. 

Statutory References

 

Content Last Updated July 2024