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

Landscape Stewardship

Aerial photo of Hartford, Connecticut

What Are the Roles of DEEP and Other State Agencies in Land Use and Development?

Several state agencies, including DEEP, have regulatory, municipal assistance, and other programs that affect land use.  The DEEP owns certain lands (e.g., state parks and forests), and holds in trust, for all Connecticut citizens, the areas below (waterward of) mean high water in tidal, coastal and navigable waters in Long Island Sound and its bays, estuaries and related waterways. Thus, as owner or trustee, the Department has control over these lands. 

Regulatory Programs

In addition to its ownership and trustee roles, the DEEP is responsible for regulating the following:

  • State agency actions in inland wetlands and watercourses and flood management areas;
  • The use of specific resources (e.g., groundwater withdrawal and activities in tidal wetlands or coastal waters); and 
  • Certain subsurface wastewater disposal (septic) systems which include, in general, those with a capacity of over 5,000 gallons per day and those that utilize alternative technology. 

State agency actions within the coastal zone may also be subject to the coastal consistency requirements of the Connecticut Coastal Management Act. 

For additional information see DEEP Regulatory Programs Impacting Land Use.

Technical Assistance

The Department also provides technical assistance, planning tools, outreach and training to municipal land use agencies. Examples include annual training of inland wetlands commission members, led by the Inland Water Resources Division, and assistance with reviewing individual coastal site plans offered by the Office of Long Island Sound Programs. The DEEP has developed model municipal regulations that serve as a basis for locally adopted ordinances and regulations on such topics as inland wetlands and watercourses, stormwater management, harbor management, aquifer protection, and tidal wetlands buffers.

Plans

The DEEP also has developed and adopted a number of plans that influence land use and development which are online at DEEP plans.

Other State Agencies

Other state agencies have programs that can influence land use. For example:

These examples identify just a small portion of the programs available to municipalities for State assistance in managing land use; there are many more such programs available. Additional information on assistance offered by other state agencies can be found by either following the links provided above, checking out the State's Green and Growing Toolbox or by visiting the State of Connecticut home page and searching for the agency or topic of interest.

Content last updated March 27, 2009