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. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Right of Way Pest Control Certification

All persons using pesticides professionally in Connecticut must possess an up-to-date certificate issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Applicants for the right of way certificate are expected to possess a working knowledge of the kinds of operations performed on a right of way and the reasons for performing them. Outlined below are areas in which applicants should be proficient.

Each applicant should be able to:

  1. identify the plants listed below:

    Ash Honeysuckle, Japanese
    Aspen  Ivy, poison
    Barberry, common Juniper
    Birch Laurel, mountain
    Blackberries & raspberries Maples
    Brier, common green Oaks
    Cherry, wild Pines
    Creeper, Virginia Ragweed, common
    Dogwoods Ragweed, giant
    Elderberry Roses
    Elms Sassafras
    Grapes, wild & cultivated Sumac
    Hickory Willows
    Honeysuckle, bush
  2. demonstrate a practical knowledge of problems such as runoff, drift, excessive foliage destruction, and general hazards within and outside the right of way;
  3. demonstrate a practical knowledge of the specialized equipment and application techniques used in right of way pest control; and

  4. demonstrate a working knowledge of the nature of the herbicides used including but not limited to:

bromacil (Hyvar X) metasulfuron-methyl (Escort)
chlorsulfuron (Telar) oryzalin (Surflan)
dicamba (Banvel) paclobutrazol (Clipper)
Dichlorprop (Weedone 2,4-DP) picloram (Tordon)
Diuron (Karmex)  prometon (Pramitol)
2,4-D sodium borate
fosamine (Krenite) sodium chlorate
glyphosate (Accord, Rodeo, Roundup) sulfometuron-methyl (Oust)
hexazinone (Velpar) tebuthiuron (Spike)
imazapyr (Arsenal, Chopper) triclopyr (Garlon 3a,4)

Reference Material for Right of Way Examination

  1. Required and Additional Study Materials for Pesticide Supervisors *Click to view*

  2. Right of Way Pest Control Training Manual. Category 6. Cornell University Cooperative Extension *Click to order online*

  3. Right of Way Pest Control. A Guide for Commercial Applicators. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1-pp. Pesticide Control, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Click here to open PDF

  4. A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs by G. A. Petrides. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA 02107

  5. Forest, Rights-of-Way and Industrial Herbicides by Harvey Holt. 1987. Pesticide Control, DEEP, Click here to open PDF

For more information, please contact deep.pesticideprogram@ct.gov or call the Pesticide Management Program at (860) 424-3369 or write to:

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Pesticide Management Program
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127

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 Content Last Updated on September 21, 2022