Chester/Haddam Prescribed Burn - Feb 2016

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Chester and Haddam

Project Location: Cockaponset State Forest, Turkey Hill Block, Compartment 17, West of Filley Road and South of Old County Road.

Project Description: The proposed project is a 197 acre prescribed burn that will consume primarily leaf litter and downed branches. The intent is to partially promote the regeneration of an oak forest. Oak forests are not sustaining themselves under current natural conditions. They were historically sustained after Native American fires, agricultural land abandonment, and clearcuts. The recent lack of these activities have allowed less ecologically valuable and shade tolerant birch, beech and maple to become entrenched in oak forests.  It is anticipated, given the current trajectory, that oak forests will eventually be displaced by other hardwoods in absence of forest management that often include prescribed burns. The slow displacement of oak forests (which are extremely valuable to wildlife) throughout the east has been called an “impending ecological crisis.”

The burn should top-kill or weaken understory shrubs and birch, beech, and maple saplings while creating a good seedbed for acorn germination and shade sensitive oak seedling development. The larger oaks have thick bark which should minimize injury from low intensity fires.

It is anticipated that 136 acres will be burned in 2016 and the remaining acreage in 2017 or later. Repeat burns may be scheduled if acorn crops do not develop shortly after the burns. The proposed burn window is March 15th to May 15th.  The Youth Camp lean-tos nearest the burn and trails in and adjacent to the burn area will be closed only the day of the burn.  The majority of the smoke is expected to clear within a few hours after completion of ignition.

Project Maps: Click here to view a map of the proposed project area.
                       Click here to view an aerial photo of the proposed project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: March 4, 2016

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.  Such requests must be made by February 16, 2016.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to:

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact:

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Any person with a disability who may need a communication aid or service may contact the agency's ADA Coordinator at 860-424-3194 or at deep.hrmed@ct.gov.  Any person with limited proficiency in English, who may need information in another language, may contact the agency's Title VI Coordinator at 860-424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.  ADA or Title VI discrimination complaints may be filed with DEEP’s EEO Manager at (860) 424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.