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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04/19/2024

DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Make Arrests in Alleged Railroad Tracks Theft Case

(HARTFORD) — The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police arrested two individuals on April 9 in connection with the theft of railroad tracks from Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park in Old Saybrook. EnCon officers conducted an extensive investigation with assistance from the Valley Railroad Company.

On Monday, February 26, 2024, EnCon Police were notified by the Valley Railroad Company that two individuals had been witnessed dismantling and removing sections of railroad track behind Tractor Supply in Old Saybrook. The Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park and the physical railroad tracks are both owned by DEEP and were purchased by the agency in 1967. DEEP leases the railroad tracks to the Valley Railroad Company which operates under the name "Essex Steam Train and Riverboat.” 

The investigation determined that Nicole S. Hooghkirk (DOB 11/19/1985) and Jason A. Hubbard (DOB 10/18/1976), both of Clinton, Connecticut, had dismantled and damaged approximately .4 miles of track, which were then sold as scrap to various local scrap yards. The damage to the track was subsequently repaired, restoring the tracks to safe use. The 12-mile stretch of track within the state park is an active track which runs passenger cars year-round, including the very popular “North Pole Express.”

On Monday April 1, 2024, the Connecticut Superior Court in Middletown issued arrest warrants for Hooghkirk and Hubbard. They were taken into custody by the Clinton Police Department on Monday April 9, 2024, and subsequently arrested and processed by EnCon Police.

Hooghkirk and Hubbard were both charged with the following:

  • 53a-117k Damage to Railroad Property in the 1st Degree,
  • 53a-115 Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree,
  • 53a-125 Larceny in the 4th Degree,
  • 53a-64 Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree,
  • 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit / 53a-117k Damage to Railroad Property in the 1st Degree
  • 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit / 53a-115 Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree,
  • 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit / 53a-125 Larceny in the 4th Degree,
  • 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit / 53a-64 Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree.
Hooghkirk and Hubbard each had a court set bond of $25,000.00 cash or surety.  Neither were able to post bond and were presented at GA 9 in Middletown on April 9, 2024. Both were arraigned on April 9, 2024, and Hooghkirk was released on Appearance Bond and Hubbard was held on a court set bond of $5,000.00.
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