Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Records Requests
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to obtain records and attend meetings of all public agencies with certain exceptions.Self-service electronic information searches are possible for some documents and datasets.
The first step in your document search is to explore the electronic documents via the DEEP Document Online Search Portal, and datasets via the Connecticut Open Data Portal.
Documents in DEEP's Electronic Records Center:
You can use the DEEP Document Online Search Portal to search, view, and download electronic documents. Currently available agency documents include Hazardous Waste Manifests, Spill Reports and associated documents, and a growing number of Remediation documents.
Watch this video to start your online search and learn how to use the search portal - Online Search Portal Demonstration (Recorded October 2019 - Remediation Roundtable Meeting)
Datasets on CT Open Data:
Many datasets concerning the environment and natural resources category can be found within the CT Open Data portal, which include the datasets listed below. These datasets can be searched, sorted, tabulated, and downloaded. The datasets only provide data from DEEP databases. They do not provide access to documents (images) like the DEEP Document Online Search Portal. However, the datasets can be very useful search tools, especially since some of the datasets do not yet have a corresponding electronic documents available via the DEEP Document Online Search Portal.
Dataset: Spill Incidents Reported to DEEP from January 1, 1996 to June 30, 2022
Dataset: Spill Incidents Reported to DEEP from July 1, 2022 to Recent
Note: Documents related to releases reported to DEEP for all years are available through the DEEP Document Online Search Portal. Documents consisting of completed Emergency Incident Field Reports for releases reported to CT DEEP from July 1, 2022 to the present are available via the “Releases Reported to DEEP” Portal: Releases Reported to CT DEEP July 1, 2022 to Present.
Dataset: Hazardous Waste Manifest Portal Metadata (all years of manifests, 1981 – 2018)
Note: This dataset contains only the data from the DEEP Document Online Search Portal that is associated with the scanned manifest documents (i.e. Town, Address, Company Name, etc.). Scanning of all years of manifest documents is complete, and the images are available via the Portal. Searching the Metadata dataset can be faster and more powerful compared to the Portal. Use the search results from the Metadata dataset to guide which manifest documents you view or download from the Portal.
Dataset: Hazardous Waste Manifests 1984-2008 (older, incomplete Manifest dataset)
Note: This dataset is available in case the public wants to compare search results between the newer, complete Portal Metadata and the older, 1984 – 2008 dataset. There are small differences between the two datasets that may result in different search results.
Dataset: Registered Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
Dataset: Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST)
Note: Some documents related to this dataset are available via the DEEP Document Online Search Portal.
Dataset: Environmental Monitoring Results for Radioactivity: Air Samples
DEEP Records Center
The second step in your document search is to review agency paper documents in the DEEP Records Center (file room). The Records center’s hours of operation are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - 9:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Public access closes for the day at 4:00 pm.
To schedule an appointment: The DEEP Records center is now accepting appointments online. This will guarantee your place in line. Upon booking your appointment, you will be required to submit a File Request Form to DEEP.RecordsCenter@ct.gov at least 24 hours prior to your appointment so that records center staff can prepare your files ahead of time or even provide them electronically as much as possible. Requests will be fulfilled in the order in which they are received.
FOIA Requests
If you have exhausted your search through the DEEP Records Center, the DEEP online search portal and the various online documents and datasets on our website, your third and final step in your search would be to submit a FOIA request.
Freedom of Information Requests for documents from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act should be made by accessing https://deepct.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/. In situations where someone has limited internet access, a request can be submitted by alternative means by contacting DEEP’s FOIA Administrator by written correspondence, email, or telephone as follows:
Brenda Antuna
FOIA Administrator
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street, 3rd Floor
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-424-3320
All requests submitted to the agency by reporters or other members of the media will be treated as FOIA requests.
Frequently Asked Questions with regard to FOIA
How long does it take to process a FOIA request?
DEEP receives many requests on a daily basis. For each request we must search our files to locate the requested records and determine which, if any, contain privileged information. Your search will be conducted as promptly as possible, but may take 10-12 weeks or longer. Once completed, you will be notified of the number of documents that have been compiled.
Are there any fees related to the FOIA request?
Copying fees are assessed at $ 0.25 per page. If certified copies are requested the fee is $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for subsequent pages. Documents that currently exist in electronic format will be provided at no cost. Please be advised that if your total cost exceeds $10.00, you will need to pre-pay before documents will be released to you.
I am researching several properties. Can I submit one FOIA request for all of them?
No. Each request can identify only one specific property location. You will need to submit separate requests for each additional property. Note: Please be as specific as possible regarding the type of information you are requesting.
In what format will the requested documents be provided?
Requested documents will only be provided in the format in which they presently exist within the DEEP records.
Can I find out the status of my FOIA request?
You are able to view the status of your request through the GovQA portal, if you submitted your request electronically. If you have submitted your request either by facsimile or written correspondence, please contact the FOIA Administrator to request updated information regarding the status of your FOIA request.
Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
The mission of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission is “to administer and enforce the provisions of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, and to thereby ensure citizen access to the records and meetings of public agencies in the State of Connecticut.”
For additional information on the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, go to portal.ct.gov/foi or contact the Commission by phone at (860) 566-5682 or via e-mail at foi@ct.gov.
Related Links:
Content last updated April 2023