Press Releases
06/29/2026
DEEP Implementing Improvements to the Natural Diversity Database Program Based on Recent Study
Seeks Public Comment on Best Action Steps for Program Improvement
(HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced its intention to pursue a major mapping modernization initiative to improve the state's Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) program. The NDDB program maintains a database of occurrences of endangered, threatened, and special concern species listed under the Connecticut Endangered Species Act, and reviews proposed projects requiring DEEP permits for potential impacts to those species, playing a critical role in protecting rare and imperiled plants and animals on the Connecticut landscape.
In 2025, Governor Ned Lamont built on DEEP’s 20by26 initiative by proposing legislation directing DEEP to conduct a comprehensive review of the NDDB project review process. The legislation was enacted as Public Act 25-84 and required DEEP to study best practices and opportunities for improvement. To fulfill that mandate, DEEP retained D.J. Case & Associates to conduct an independent study of the program. The review included extensive stakeholder outreach, surveys of program users, interviews with DEEP staff, and an examination of best practices employed by similar programs in other states.
The study, released publicly in March 2026, identified ten recommendations to improve the NDDB program, including investments in mapping, expanded early consultation opportunities, streamlined reviews for recurring activities, improvements to applicant survey requirements, modernization of information technology systems, enhanced guidance materials, and increased staffing capacity.
Better mapping can deliver both stronger environmental protection and a more efficient permitting process. By creating more comprehensive, up-to-date information about the location of rare species and habitats, DEEP can help protect Connecticut's biodiversity, guide land conservation priorities, support habitat restoration, and strengthen climate resilience planning. At the same time, better mapping can reduce unpredictability in the permitting process by making it easier to identify potential environmental concerns early, reducing the need for applicants to conduct field surveys and thereby significantly shortening NDDB review timelines. The result is a smarter, data-driven approach that supports both conservation and economic development.
The effort to improve the NDDB program is part of DEEP’s 20BY26 initiative, a set of 20 performance goals to strengthen the transparency, efficiency, and predictability of DEEP’s permitting, environmental review, and other processes by the end of 2026. Goal 17 of the initiative is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the NDDB review process.
"DEEP’s 20BY26 initiative has shown that process improvement can lead to better outcomes for both conservation and economic development, and I am excited to see this NDDB improvement initiative continue that success," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "Improved mapping can help protect biodiversity, support climate resilience and land conservation efforts, and provide greater predictability and efficiency for project applicants. We look forward to hearing ideas from stakeholders across both the conservation and business community as we determine how best to move this work forward."
DEEP invites members of the public and stakeholders from across the state to submit comments. View the NDDB study here, and reference the public notice for directions on how to submit comments.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110