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. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other national agencies, offers good resources for those interested in advancing environmental justice in their communities.

EPA Resources

Environmental Justice Program
Explore the EPA's environmental justice program.

Spanish-Speaking EPA Website
Explore the EPA’s website for Spanish-speaking visitors.
Annual Progress Reports
Read the latest progress reports about how the federal Office of Environmental Justice has been advancing environmental justice principles throughout all EPA programs.
Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO)
Use EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online website to search for facilities in your community to assess their compliance with environmental regulations.
National Air Toxics Assessment
The National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) is EPA’s ongoing review of air toxics in the United States. NATA is a screening tool for state, local, and tribal air agencies.
Environmental Justice Screening Mapping Tool
Explore the EPA’s environmental justice (EJ) mapping and screening tool based on national data and an approach that combines environmental and demographic indicators in maps and reports. 

 

Additional Federal Resources

White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
This Council advises on how to increase the Federal Government’s efforts to address current and historic environmental injustice through strengthening environmental justice monitoring and enforcement.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Urban Conservation in CT River Watershed)
Established in September 2015, the Springfield Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership works to engage urban residents as partners in wildlife conservation.

NAACP Environment & Climate Justice Website
Environmental injustice, including the proliferation of climate change, systematically impacts communities of color and low-income communities in the U.S. and around the world.

 

Ways to Connect

  • For environmental justice administrative inquiries, please contact Edith Pestana (Program Administrator) at (860) 424-3044 or edith.pestana@ct.gov.
  • For community and education coordination inquiries, please contact Doris Johnson (Outreach & Education Coordinator) at (860) 424-3053 or doris.johnson@ct.gov.