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

Technical Impracticability Variance

A Technical Impracticability (TI) Variance is a remedial option provided under Section 22a-133k-3(e)(2) of the Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations (RSRs) that can be granted only where either:
  1. Non-aqueous phase liquids cannot be contained or removed in accordance with Section 22a-133k-2(g) of the RSRs, or
  2. Remediation to the extent technically practicable has reduced the concentration of pollutants in groundwater to steady-state concentrations that exceed any applicable criteria, or
  3. As otherwise specified in EPA guidance.
This option allows sites with chronically impacted groundwater to achieve compliance with the RSRs by exempting a specific geographic area from groundwater criteria while establishing long-term obligations and ensuring the remedy is protective of the environment and human health.

Long-Term Obligations

The following long-term obligations may typically be required as a condition of approval of a long-term TI Variance:

Guidance, Fact Sheet, Flowchart, and Forms

If you are considering the use of a TI Variance as a remedial option for achieving compliance with groundwater criteria, it is important to be thoroughly familiar with the information presented below regarding this subject:
  • TI Fact Sheet - outlines basic information about the use, applicability, requirements, long-term responsibilities, initial screening, and formal review process of a TI Variance request.
  • Draft TI Guidance Document – provides clarification on what a TI Variance is and under what conditions it would be applicable and appropriate.  It expresses the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP's) preferred approach to what information is expected to demonstrate the applicability of a TI Variance, identifies the steps that should be taken before requesting a TI Variance and what a TI Variance would encompass in terms of final site closure, including requirements for long-term responsibilities.
TI Variance requests that are submitted for DEEP review and approval must have the Electronic Document Transmittal Form as the cover page and be  uploaded into the Connecticut Secure File Transfer (SFT) website.
 
Content last updated October 22, 2020