CT Forest Practices Advisory Board

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 an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Forest Practices Advisory Board

Description of Board Purpose and Membership Requirements

The Forest Practices Advisory Board was established by State Statute (CGS 23-65g) in 1991. The Board is charged with three primary duties:

To periodically review applicable regulations concerning forest practices and the certification of forest practitioners and, as needed, issue recommendations to the Commissioner of Energy & Environmental Protection for changes to such regulations;
To periodically review the programs and policies of the department regarding forests, forest health and forest practices and issue recommendations to the commissioner for changes, as needed, to such programs and policies; and
To provide advice and guidance to the commissioner regarding the certification of technically proficient forest practitioners and the revocation or suspension of such certifications.

The board consists of the State Forester or his designee and nine public members. Of the nine public members, one each is appointed by:

the president pro tempore of the Senate
the majority leader of the Senate
the minority leader of the Senate
the speaker of the House of Representatives
the majority leader of the House of Representatives
the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

The other three public members are appointed by the Governor. In addition, by law, among the members appointed are at least one each of the following:

a professional forester in private practice
a representative of the forest products industry
an officer of an environmental organization that is headquartered within the state and is concerned primarily with forests
a professor of forestry or natural resources from a college or university within the state
an owner of not less than ten nor more than two hundred fifty acres of forest land
a representative of an environmental organization not primarily concerned with forests
a member of an inland wetlands agency.

The members of the board, excepting the State Forester or his designee, are appointed for a term of four years. Each appointed member of the board shall serve until his or her successor is appointed. The State Forester or his designee serves as chairman of the board. The board meets at least three times annually or upon the written request of a majority of the members of the board. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The principal office of the board is the State Forester's office. Those who wish to correspond with the board may direct their inquiries to the attention of:

Christopher Martin
State Forester
DEEP Division of Forestry
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Christopher.Martin@ct.gov

Current Membership

Member	Membership Criterion
Christopher Martin	State Forester
Ian Branson	Professional Forester in Private Practice
Brennan Sheahan	Representative of the Forest Products Industry
Dr. Mark Ashton	Professor of Forestry
Jovan Bryan	Environmental Organization not primarily concerned with forests
Barbara Kelly	Inland Wetlands Agency
Bruce Spaman	General Public
Vacant	General Public
Joan Nichols	Owner of not less than 10 nor more than 250 acres of forest land
Dr. Jeffrey S. Ward	Environmental Organization that is concerned primarily with forests