Press Releases
05/15/2026
DEEP Celebrates Modernized State Sawmill, CT Grown Forest Products
DEEP Sawmill in Portland Provides Locally Grown Wood Products For Connecticut’s State Parks and Facilities
(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.
The upgraded sawmill facility will improve production efficiency and expand the State’s ability to produce high-quality, Connecticut-grown wood products for use across State Parks, forests, and other public facilities. The project is one of several approved by the State of Connecticut Bond Commission and supports the State’s GreenerGov CT initiative (one such example: the paneling, trim, screen walls, and railings for DEEP’s net zero Western District Headquarters in Watertown consist of sustainably harvested wood from State Forests that were cut and finished by the DEEP Sawmill).
The modernization of the Portland sawmill includes new technologies such as a hydraulic-pneumatic log carriage, new rollers, and other upgrades designed to streamline operations, enhance worker safety, reduce waste, and increase processing capacity. These improvements also support long-term operational sustainability and help DEEP continue its work managing Connecticut’s forest resources to promote healthy, resilient forests.
“Connecticut’s forests are a renewable resource, and since wood is approximately 50% carbon, using locally grown wood products in our building projects supports carbon storage, forest health, climate resilience, and our local economy,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “This upgrade reflects our commitment to sustainable resource management and to showcasing the value of Connecticut-grown forest products.”
"The mission of CT Grown is to sustain and grow Connecticut agriculture and aquaculture", said Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. "This includes renewable forest products. We are glad to be here today supporting DEEP's new sawmill and Connecticut's forest products industry. Together, working farms and working forests help us to be better land stewards by encouraging sustainable lifestyle choices which benefit everyone - our residents, wildlife, and open space protection.”
The Portland sawmill also produces more than 75 cords of firewood annually for State Parks, along with lumber used to create signs (including State Park “shield” signs), picnic tables, and other materials. Sourcing firewood for Parks from the sawmill helps prevent the introduction and spread of harmful forest pests and disease and is in keeping with Connecticut’s regulatory framework governing sourcing and movement of firewood.
The mill processes approximately 150,000 to 165,000 board feet of wood each year and operates with full fiber utilization, meaning byproducts such as slabs, wood chips, sawdust, and bark are used and not wasted.
While the mill supplies dimensional lumber exclusively for state use, DEEP encourages residents to support Connecticut’s forest products industry. Connecticut businesses that produce forest products from locally grown sustainable forests can be found on the CT Grown Forest Products interactive map. Choosing locally sourced wood helps sustain jobs, reduce environmental impacts, and promotes responsible and climate resilient forest management. Connecticut’s forest products industry contributes approximately $4 billion annually to the state’s economy while also providing important ecological and hazard mitigation benefits.
For more information:
- Learn more about Forest Management on State Lands.
- Learn more about the GreenerGov CT initiative.
- Learn more about forest practitioners and locally grown forest products in Connecticut DEEP Forest Practices Act and Utilization and Marketing Programs.
- Learn more about the environmental dangers of moving firewood.
- B-roll video of the new sawmill in operation can be downloaded here.
In 2024/2025 a new mill building was constructed, with heated concrete floors and overhead garage doors.
The new sawmill features a 54” head saw, and a 30” top saw.
The saw and hydraulic pneumatic log carriage are controlled from within the sawyer’s cab for increased safety.
Signs and picnic tables for CT State Parks are just some of the products created from the sawmill.
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110