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 Municipal Primer
Your Guide to Creating a "Green and Growing" Community

Note that this Primer is being updated - stay tuned for version 2.0!

The Municipal Primer – Your Guide to Creating a “Green and Growing” Community (“The Municipal Primer”) provides basic information and guidance to municipal officials on a wide variety of topics so that local decision-makers can stay informed.  From land use decisions, to purchasing practices, to the operation of municipal facilities, and more, The Municipal Primer is a tool that allows you to quickly determine which DEEP programs are connected to various environmental issues of interest. 

Orange and Black Under Construction Sign

 

The Municipal Primer, revised 2008, is currently being updated by DEEP’s Municipal Team. Please sign up to receive email updates, including notification of updates to The Municipal Primer.

 

The Municipal Primer 

To read individual sections of The Municipal Primer, select the appropriate section heading below. 

The Municipal Primer Your Guide to Creating a “Green and Growing” Community

Land Use Boards, Commissions, Agencies and Committees

  • Introduction to Land Use Boards, Commissions, Agencies and Committees
  • Avoiding Jurisdictional Conflicts
  • Environmental and Landscape Stewardship
  • Watershed Management
  • Floodplain Management
  • Aquifer Protection Area Program
  • Nonpoint Source Pollution Management
  • Coastal Management
  • Streets and Roads Planning
  • Brownfields Remediation: Update: PREPARED (Process for Risk Evaluation, Property Analysis, and Reuse Decisions) Municipal Workbook - tool for managing the complex process of redeveloping a brownfield site.
  • Environmentally Sensitive Land Use Practices
  • Low Impact Development
  • Water as a Natural Resource
  • Endangered Species

Public Works

  • Introduction to Public Works
  • CT DEEP Permitting Overview for Public Works Officials
  • Municipal Solid Waste Management
  • Disaster Debris Management Planning
  • Recycling
  • Composting and Organics Recycling
  • Brush, Stump and Untreated Wood Waste Management
  • Hazardous and Universal Wastes
  • Stormwater Management
  • Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Stormwater Program
  • Planning for a Flood & Other Natural Hazards (Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan)
  • Dams
  • Dredging
  • Fleet Selection and Operation
  • Mobile Air Emission Sources
  • Indoor and Outdoor Lighting and Appliances
  • Landscape and Lawn Care
  • Renovation, Demolition and Construction
  • Street and Road Management
  • Underground Storage Tank Systems (Tanks and Piping)

Wastewater Planning and Management

  • Introduction to Wastewater Management
  • Municipal Wastewater Management Planning
  • Wastewater Management Approaches
  • Regulating Wastewater at the State Level

Public Health

Parks and Recreation

  • Introduction to Parks and Recreation
  • Greenways
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Protected Open Space
  • State Parks and Forests

Public Safety and Building Official

  • Introduction to Public Safety and Building Official (Includes Open Burning Official)
  • Environmental Conservation Police
  • Environmental Justice
  • Open (Outdoor) Burning
  • Outdoor Wood-Burning Furnaces and Wood Stoves
  • Response to Wood Burning Complaints in Connecticut (New, as of 12/23/10) 
  • Wildlife Issues: Animal Possession, Nuisance Animals & Wildlife Rehabilitators

Schools and Education

  • Introduction to Schools and Education
  • Environmental Education and Outreach
  • Green Building Requirements for Schools
  • Operations and Maintenance for Schools

Financial Assistance

  • Introduction to Financial Assistance
  • Grants and Financial Assistance
  • Reducing Costs Through Source Reduction and Materials Reuse
  • Purchasing Practices (Recycled Products and Environmentally Preferred Purchasing)

Guide to CT DEEP Permits, Licenses and Other Authorizations

  • Introduction to the Guide to CT DEEP Permits, Licenses and Other Authorizations
  • Air, Waste, Water and Land Use: Short Permit Processes
  • Air, Waste, Water and Land Use: Individual Permit Process
  • Air, Waste, Water and Land Use: Typical Individual Permit Process Flow Chart
  • Air, Waste, Water and Land Use: Individual Permits List
  • Matrix of CT DEEP Authorizations Typically Required by Municipal Function / Operation
  • Professional and Occupational Licensing
  • Recreational and Natural Resources Authorizations

Appendices

  • Appendix I - Topical Index

  • Appendix II - CT DEEP Website Shortcuts

  • Appendix III - Key Contacts Brochure

NOTE: The majority of the fact sheets in The Municipal Primer provide Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) citations where relevant. Because web links to sections of the CGS change frequently, the statutory citations provided in The Municipal Primer are not hyperlinked to the actual statutory text. If you are interested in viewing the referenced statutory text, we recommend you visit the Connecticut General Assembly's web page for the most up-to-date version of the General Statutes of Connecticut where you can search or browse the statutes for the sections of interest.

Content Last Updated: March 22, 2024