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

Press Releases

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07/09/2019

Environmental Conservation Police Make Arrest in After Witnesses Report Man Brandishing Firearm from Vessel

Officers with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Environmental Conservation (Encon) Police on Sunday arrested Matthew Graillat, 32, of East Haddam, on charges of Threatening in the First Degree and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree following an incident on July 5th on the Connecticut River in East Haddam in which witnesses reported that he pointed a firearm towards other boaters.
Witnesses reported that Graillat engaged in a verbal altercation with several boaters while on his personal watercraft and pulled out a handgun and pointed it toward the boaters. The witnesses photographed the incident. 
Subsequent investigation included the seizure of eleven firearms as well as the vessel used in the incident. Graillat was arrested and processed at the State Police Colchester barracks and was released on a $5,000 bond with a future court date in Middletown Superior Court.

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