Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Resources and References
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses
Resources and References
Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion & Sediment Control (2024)
This is a direct link to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's webpage for soil erosion and sediment control. The guidelines are often referenced in municipal planning, zoning, and inland wetlands permit applications and/or regulations. For a direct link to the manual: Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion & Sediment Control
Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual (2024)
This is a direct link to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's webpage for stormwater quality. The guidelines are on the measures necessary to protect the waters of the State of Connecticut from the adverse impacts of post-construction stormwater runoff; and focuses on site planning, source control, and stormwater treatment practices. It is intended for use as a planning tool and design guidance document by the regulated and regulatory communities involved in stormwater quality management. For a direct link to the manual: Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual
Agriculture, Forestry & Connecticut's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (Oct. 2016)
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection brochure discussing agriculture and forestry activities pursuant to the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.
Clarification of Wetland Soil Criteria for Human-Altered and Human-Transported Soils in Connecticut
(May 2015) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Connecticut Office, fact sheet produced in conjunction with the CT DEEP's Inland Wetlands Management Section. This fact sheet discusses human-altered and human-transported (HAHT/disturbed) soils and criteria for determining when such soils meet the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act definition of wetlands.
FOIC Notice of Meetings Chart
Document from the Freedom of Information Commission detailing requirements for proper notice of meetings that may be held by an Inland Wetlands Agency.
Soil Scientist Qualifications
Fact sheet on what constitutes a "soil scientist" pursuant to the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.
Vernal Pools
Connecticut's municipal inland wetlands agencies have jurisdiction over regulated activities that are likely to impact or affect all vernal watercourses. Under Connecticut law, vernal pools, which contain a specific ecology, are one type of vernal watercourse. A variety of online resources exist which review vernal pool ecology, describe the animals that breed in and use vernal pools, provide materials to assist with field assessments and local mapping projects, and discuss other state and federal laws.
Wetlands of Connecticut (Metzler and Tiner, 1992)
Publication discussing Connecticut wetland formation, hydrology, and vegetation and plant communities.
Additional information is also available at Connecticut's Wetlands.
Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation Management Guidebook
Intended to aid pond owners and lake associations in getting acquainted with the problems associated with, and materials used in, the control of nuisance aquatic vegetation and algae.
Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Relevance to Municipal Inland Wetlands Agencies
Riffle Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV)
The Stream Riffle Bioassessment by Volunteers program (RBV) is a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program coordinated by the DEEP Volunteer Water Monitoring Program. Each fall RBV volunteers participate in a ‘treasure hunt’ to find Connecticut’s healthiest streams.
Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey, and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world.
CT Soil Survey Attribute Interpretation Guide
A list of soil map units in Connecticut that meet the definition of wetland as defined in Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 22a-38.
NRCS Guide to Soil Parent Materials of Connecticut
Soil Drainage Class Descriptions
Excerpts from the US. Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service's Soil Survey Manual.
Connecticut Environmental Conditions Online (CT ECO) is the collaborative work of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) to share environmental and natural resource information with the general public.
CT Agricultural Station, Invasive Aquatic Plant Program
The OAIS surveys Connecticut lakes and ponds for invasive aquatic plants and investigates novel management options.
Content updated February 26, 2026