News Releases - 2026

Page 1 of 5

• 5/20/2026 Share the Shore with Nesting Birds

  (HARTFORD) — As the summer beach season approaches, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds beachgoers and others recreating along the shoreline to share the shore with nesting birds.

• 5/19/2026 DEEP Announces Alcohol Ban for Ten Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has imposed a temporary alcohol ban for ten state recreation areas. This ban is in effect from Wednesday, May 20, through Monday, August 17, at the following locations:

• 5/19/2026 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone For Tuesday, May 19th

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) forecasts that air quality in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, New London, Windham and Tolland counties will reach or exceed levels that are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on Tuesday, May 19th due to ozone levels in the outdoor air we breathe.

• 5/18/2026 Body found in Connecticut River positively identified as 63-year-old man from Holyoke, MA

  (HARTFORD)- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) have positively identified a body recently located in the Connecticut River as a missing Massachusetts man.

• 5/18/2026 DEEP Issues Request for Proposals for Concession Operation and Management Services at Bantam Lake State Boat Launch and Marina

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for concession operation/management services at the Bantam Lake State Boat Launch and Marina for recreational uses that include boating, fishing, boat launching and retrieval, and car-top/trailer parking. The concessionaire also will be responsible for managing the approximately sixty-slip, on-site marina.

• 5/15/2026 DEEP Celebrates Modernized State Sawmill, CT Grown Forest Products

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) unveiled Friday the newly upgraded State Sawmill in Portland. This multi-year modernization project strengthens Connecticut’s commitment to local wood products, innovative technology, and responsible forest stewardship. The investment will help ensure that materials used for state projects – including trail bridges, picnic tables in State Parks, facility signage, and building components – can be sourced locally.

• 5/14/2026 DEEP Celebrates National Safe Boating Week May 16-22

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) joins partners across the country to remind boaters of the importance of safe and responsible boating during National Safe Boating Week. The seven-day campaign will occur May 16 to May 22, the week preceding Memorial Day weekend, which is the unofficial kickoff to the summer boating season in Connecticut.

• 5/13/2026 DEEP Highlights City of Groton Green Infrastructure Project That Will Reduce Flooding and Stormwater Pollution

  (HARTFORD, CT) – On Thursday, May 14, the City of Groton will show off its newly installed porous concrete at Washington Park, utilizing federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant funds the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) received through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to improve water quality of Birch Plain Creek.

• 5/12/2026 DEEP Urges Drivers to Use Caution to Avoid Turtles in Roads During Nesting Season

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to be on the lookout for turtles crossing roads from May through July, which is nesting season for many turtle species. During this time, egg-bearing females travel across land, often crossing roads, in search of suitable locations to dig nests and lay eggs. Aquatic turtles also leave the water to find nesting sites on land.

• 5/12/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP Unveils Modernized State Sawmill, Highlights CT Grown Forest Products

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will hold a press conference to highlight the newly modernized State Sawmill in Portland on Friday, May 15th, at 10:00 a.m.

• 5/7/2026 Connecticut Joins National Coalition to Promote the State’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

  (HARTFORD) - Today the State of Connecticut joined the Confluence of States, a bipartisan, national coalition of state governments dedicated to growing the outdoor recreation economy and increasing access to the outdoors. The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences joins 21 other state offices in the Confluence of States dedicated to advancing five pillars of outdoor recreation: conservation and stewardship, education and workforce training, economic development, public health and wellness, and opportunity and experience.

• 5/6/2026 DEEP Now Accepting All-Terrain Wheelchair Reservations for Seasonal Use Starting on June 6

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is making improvements to its all-terrain wheelchair program, which is available in seven Connecticut State Park and Forest locations. Improvements include enhanced access, new trails added, barrier removals, as well as a streamlined reservation process.

• 5/6/2026 DEEP Announces Recipients of Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant for Green Stormwater Infrastructure and Habitat Restoration

  (HARTFORD) —The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the recipients of the newly created Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant Program. A total of over $7.8 million has been awarded to eighteen Connecticut municipalities and non-profits focused on improving water quality, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and improving fish passage.

• 5/5/2026 DEEP Issues RFP for Food Beverage and Campground Concession Services at Lake Waramaug State Park

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified concessionaire to operate food, beverage, and campground store services at Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent and New Preston.

• 5/4/2026 Body Recovered from Stillwater Pond in Torrington May 1

  (HARTFORD)— DEEP Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) responded Friday night around 7:30 p.m. to a Torrington Police Department report of a body recovered by the Torrington Fire Department from Stillwater Pond, Torrington. The body recovered was an adult male, identified as Stewart Rushlow, 65, of Torrington. DEEP EnCon Police are investigating. The State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death. There is no apparent criminal aspect at this time.