News Releases

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• 9/3/2021 DEEP Urges Caution As Lifeguard Presence in State Parks Will Be Significantly Reduced Labor Day Weekend

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today reminded state park visitors that the number of lifeguards at state park swimming areas will be significantly reduced as the end of the summer swimming season fast approaches.

• 9/2/2021 DEEP and DPH Advise Against Swimming or Other Water Contact Recreation Over Next 48 Hours Due to Storm Ida's Impact

  (HARTFORD)— Given the significant rainfall that has occurred due to Storm Ida, many areas across the state have experienced discharges of untreated sewage.

• 8/26/2021 DEEP Commissioner Dykes Celebrates Launch of HRRA Glass Recycling Program

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes, along with Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) Chairman Matthew Knickerbocker, Oak Ridge Waste and Recycling CEO John Decker, and other industry stakeholders, today celebrated the launch of the HRRA’s new glass recycling program.

• 8/22/2021 DEEP and DPH Advise Against Swimming or Other Water Contact Recreation Over Next 72 Hours Due to Tropical Storm Henri's Impact

  (HARTFORD)— Given the significant rainfall that occurred (and is still expected) due to Tropical Storm Henri, many areas across the state have experienced discharges of untreated sewage. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising against direct contact with surface water in areas in close proximity to drainage pipes statewide, particularly in urban areas such as Bridgeport, Hartford, Norwalk, Norwich, and the greater New Haven area over the next 72 hours in Connecticut's streams and rivers. Residents are advised not to swim, fish, or utilize paddlecraft in these areas.

• 8/20/2021 State Campgrounds to Close Saturday at 4 P.M. Ahead of Tropical Storm Henri

  (HARTFORD)—All state campgrounds will close on Saturday, August 21st, at 4 p.m., ahead of Tropical Storm Henri, expected to arrive this weekend. Campgrounds will be closed at least until 1 p.m. on Monday, August 23rd.

• 8/20/2021 MEDIA AVAILABILITY: DEEP Commissioner Dykes, HRRA Town Officials, Stakeholders to Hold Press Conference Celebrating Launch of HRRA Glass Recycling Program

  (HARTFORD)—On Thursday, August 26th, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, along with the Mayors and First Selectmen of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) region, and other recycling stakeholders, will hold a press conference to highlight the importance of a new glass recycling program for HRRA member towns, which will help to address the issue of glass contamination in our mixed recycling stream, contributing to a greater amount of recycled material and another important step in the effort to solve Connecticut’s waste disposal crisis.

• 8/20/2021 DEEP Lifts Feeding and Watering Advisory Related to Sick Songbird Illness, Vigilance and Certain Precautions Continue to be Advised

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is lifting its advisory issued July 8 related to the usage of bird feeders and bird baths in association with a songbird mortality event observed in Connecticut and several other states, though vigilance and certain other precautions continue to be advised.

• 8/20/2021 DEEP Announces $12 Million in Clean Air Grants from VW Settlement Funds

  (HARTFORD, CT)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today announced that the State of Connecticut is making up to $12 million dollars in clean air grants available as the third round of funding from the legal settlement in the Volkswagen (VW) Corporation emissions cheating scandal.​

• 8/12/2021 MEDIA AVAILABILITY - Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew Members Returning from Western Deployment

  (HARTFORD)—Five members of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew who have been deployed in western states fighting wildfires are returning from deployment to DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters this evening, around 5:30 p.m.

• 8/6/2021 Eighty Eighth Anniversary Celebration of the Civilian Conservation Corps Reunion to be Held August 8

  (STAFFORD SPRINGS)—A reunion of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) alumni, family, and friends in celebration of the 88th anniversary of the founding of the CCC will be held on Sunday, August 8th, at 1 p.m. at the Connecticut CCC Museum at 166 Chestnut Hill Rd. (Rt. 190) in Stafford Springs.

• 8/4/2021 DEEP Removes Abandoned Barges in New Haven as Risks to Environment and Navigation

  (NEW HAVEN) – This month, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, coordinating with federal, local, and commercial partners, facilitated the removal of two derelict barges posing a navigational and environmental threat to the waters and mariners around New Haven.

• 7/29/2021 Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew Sends Crew to Fight Wildfires

  The Latest of Several Resources Connecticut has Deployed West this Season

• 7/28/2021 DEEP Imposes Alcohol Ban for Billings Lake Boat Launch Area

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has enacted a temporary alcohol ban for the state’s Billings Lake Boat Launch area in North Stonington. This ban is in effect immediately and for the next 90 days.

• 7/27/2021 Elevated Levels of Fine Particles in Air This Evening Due to Western Wildfires

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is issuing an air quality alert for all of Connecticut today, except for Litchfield County. The smoke plume from the western wildfires that passed over Connecticut produced unhealthy fine particle (PM2.5) levels across the entire state yesterday. These fine particles became trapped in the lower atmosphere overnight and have been slow to disperse this morning. DEEP encourages residents to limit outdoor activities today until 11 p.m.

• 7/23/2021 Gov Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Dykes Applaud Over 36 Million in SBC Funding

  Funding will go Toward Infrastructure Repairs and New Building Projects; Open Space Acquisitions; Energy Efficiency Improvements; and Recreational Trails