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. 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

Benefits of the Long Island Sound
License Plate Program

Long Island Sound license plateWhen you buy a Long Island Sound plate, $35 ($50 for special order plates) of the one-time charge goes into the Long Island Sound (LIS) Fund. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection distributes the money to schools, municipalities, environmental groups, and other non-profit organizations which apply for grants for projects to benefit Long Island Sound. Some of the projects made possible through the LIS Fund include:

  • Protection of valuable habitats and species such as herons and egrets, least terns, and diamondback terrapins.
  • Underwater data collection and mapping, and water quality monitoring.
  • A video about the importance of the Sound distributed to all elementary schools statewide.
  • Fishing piers and boardwalks that increase public access.
  • Educational signs that inform the public about the diversity of plant and animal species in the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
  • Beach grass planting to help prevent the erosion of our beaches.

For more information on completed License Plate projects, see the regular feature, "Putting Your LIS Plate Money to Work" in DEEP's Sound Outlook Newsletter.


LIS License Plate
Program Home

Content Last Updated on March 28, 2012