Press Releases
03/18/2026
DEEP Announces Recipients of Sixth Annual Grant Round for Aquatic Invasive Species Control on Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers
$450,000 Awarded to Ten Projects to Help Restore CT Waterbodies
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the recipients of the sixth round of funding through the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant Program. A total of $450,000 has been awarded to ten projects focused on reducing the impacts of aquatic invasive species in Connecticut’s inland waters.
Aquatic invasive species, such as hydrilla and zebra mussels, pose serious threats to freshwater ecosystems. They can harm native plants and animals, are costly to control, and can interfere with boating and fishing, which are the largest contributors to the state’s outdoor recreation economy.
“Aquatic invasive species threaten both Connecticut’s freshwater ecosystems and outdoor recreation economy,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Through funding provided by anglers, boaters, and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts who purchased the AIS Stamp, DEEP is making meaningful investments in projects that will protect our state’s inland waterways from this threat.”
Over the previous five years of the AIS Grant Program, DEEP awarded approximately $1.9 million to 71 projects. For this sixth round, DEEP received 33 proposals requesting nearly $1.4 million in funding. Ten projects were selected for funding based on criteria established by the 2025-26 AIS Grant Oversight Review Committee.
Grant awards for this round range up to $75,000, and recipients are required to provide matching funds equal to or greater than 25% of the total project cost. The projects funded in this round are:
|
Organization |
Project Location |
Project Type/Description |
Funding Awarded |
|
Bashan Lake Association, Inc. |
Bashan Lake |
Outreach/Education: Boat launch monitoring and education on the prevention of aquatic invasive species |
$30,880 |
|
Connecticut River Watershed Council, Inc. |
Keeney Cove (CT River) |
Control/Management: Water chestnut management |
$46,205
|
|
Friends of the Lake |
Lake Lillinonah |
Control/Management: Control of hydrilla |
$33,750 |
|
Lantern Hill Valley Alliance Inc. |
Lantern Hill Pond, Long Pond & Bush Pond |
Research: Development of a long-term holistic lake management plan for controlling fanwort, variable-leaf, and Eurasian watermilfoils |
$10,000 |
|
The Jonah Center, Inc. |
Mattabesset River, Pecausett Pond, CT River |
Control/Management: Removal of water chestnut |
$75,000 |
|
Town of Coventry |
Coventry Lake |
Control/Management: Control of hydrilla |
$75,000 |
|
Towns of Vernon and Bolton |
Middle and Lower Bolton Lakes Vernon & Bolton |
Control/Management: Aquatic Invasive Plant Management in the Bolton Lakes |
$35,135 |
|
Town of Windham |
Mansfield Hollow & Willimantic Reservoirs |
Control/Management: Control of water chestnut |
$48,320 |
|
Twin Lakes Association |
East Twin Lake |
Control/Management: Control and management of hydrilla |
$75,000 |
|
Western CT State University |
Multiple Lakes |
Outreach/Education: Cyanotoxin monitoring program |
$20,710 |
About the AIS Grant Program
The Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program was established in 2019 following passage of Public Act 19-190 which created the Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp fee. The fee provides dedicated funding for the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account, supporting programs that protect the state’s waters from aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms.
“The anglers, hunters, and boaters who purchase an AIS stamp provide the foundational financial support for the AIS Grants Program,” said Pete Aarrestad, DEEP Fisheries Division Director. “This is a real-life example of how meaningful conservation work is made possible through the financial support of the outdoor recreation community.”
Reminder about Changes to the AIS Stamp
Due to the passage of Public Act 23-154 by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2023, the AIS Stamp fee no longer is collected by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at the time of vessel registration but instead is collected directly by DEEP via the Online Sportsmen Licensing System. Connecticut residents or non-residents operating a vessel on Connecticut’s inland waters must purchase a $7 Individual AIS Stamp or a $20 Vessel AIS Decal which must be permanently affixed to a vessel (AIS Decal may be subject to an additional processing fee).
Both the Individual AIS Stamp and the Vessel AIS Decal can be purchased via the Online Sportsmen Licensing System and are valid until the end of the calendar year in which they are purchased. Individuals operating a vessel on Connecticut’s inland waters who do not possess an Individual AIS Stamp and are operating a vessel without a Vessel AIS Decal affixed are subject to a fine of $85.
For more information on the changes to the AIS Stamp and instructions on how to purchase the Individual AIS Stamp or Vessel AIS Decal, please visit the DEEP AIS Stamp Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) website.
To learn more about aquatic invasive species in Connecticut, visit the DEEP aquatic invasive species webpage.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110