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

Phosphorus PA12-155 Coordinating Committee and Workgroup Proceedings
A Coordinating Committee and three Workgroups were established to meet the PA 12-155 requirement that DEEP collaborate with municipalities to address the goals of the legislation.  The workgroups were Nonpoint Source (NPS) Phosphorus Workgroup #1, Scientific Methods Workgroup #2, Municipal Implementation Workgroup #3.
The Coordinating Committee has completed it's report to the Legislature which is available below:
Recommendations for Phosphorus Strategy Pursuant to PA 12-155 Final Report including Appendices, February 16, 2017. (NOTE: Appendix I: CT WQS must be downloaded separately).
Coordinating Committee
Three workgroups were established, met regularly and reported back to the Coordinating Committee.
The Coordinating Committee met quarterly to integrate and coordinate the activities of the three Workgroups, and address issues which cut across the scopes of the Workgroups.  The Committee will report to the State Legislature, and coordinate within DEEP to assure the recommendations address EPA's requirements. 
The fifth Coordinating Committee Meeting was held on February 20, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the Russell Room, on the third floor at CT DEEP Headquarters.
A meeting of the Workgroup co-chairs was held on November 18, 2014 at 10 a.m. at DEEP Headquarters. 
The fourth Coordinating Committee meeting was held on August 11, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the Russell Room, on the third floor at CT DEEP Headquarters.
A meeting of the Workgroup co-chairs was held on July 23, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Southington Town Hall.
The third Coordinating Committee meeting was held on May 12, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the Holcombe Room, on the fifth floor at CT DEEP Headquarters.
Presentations:
The second Coordinating Committee meeting was held on February 10, 2014 at 1 p.m. in the Phoenix Auditorium, on the fifth floor at CT DEEP Headquarters.  
The first Coordinating Committee Public Meeting was held on September 30, 2013 at DEEP Headquarters.  This Informational Presentation from the meeting includes:  a PA 12-155 Summary, DEEP's "Collaboration Commitment", Workgroups, and Next Steps.
The 9/30/2013 meeting broke into the three workgroups after discussion of the presentation.
Nonpoint Source (NPS) Phosphorus Workgroup #1
Propose statewide response to address phosphorus nonpoint source pollution of water. 
This Workgroup interfaced with and utilized the CT DEEP Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan Update for Public Involvement.  The DEEP NPS Management Program Plan Update conducted a Stakeholder public meeting on October 31, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in DEEP's Phoenix Auditorium.
Meeting Schedule for the NPS Phosphorus Workgroup
  • November 20, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Holcombe Room, 5th floor, DEEP Headquarters
  • October 7, 2014, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters.
  • July 22, 2014, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Holcombe Room, 5th floor, DEEP Headquarters.
  • May 6, 2014, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters.
  • March 24, 2014, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters.
  • February 10, 2014, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters. 
  • January 6, 2014 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Room 2A, DEEP Headquarters. 
  • November 25, 2013, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters.
  • October 25, 2013 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., DEEP Holcombe Room.
Meeting Schedule for NPS Onsite Wastewater Systems Subcommittee
  • June 24, 2014, at 10 a.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters
  • March 10, 2014, at 1 p.m., Room 2A, DEEP Headquarters
  • Friday January 17, 2014, 1 p.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters
Meeting Notes for the NPS Phosphorus Workgroup
Scientific Methods Workgroup #2
Propose scientific methods to measure current phosphorus levels and to make future projections of phosphorus levels.
DEEP contracted with the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) to conduct a Phosphorus Study: Methods to Measure Phosphorus and Make Future Projections which has been reviewed and coordinated with the Scientific Methods Workgroup.
CASE gave the following presentation with details of their report at the February 20, 2015 Coordinating Committee meeting:  CASE Study Briefing for PA 12-155 Phosphorus Coordinating Committee
Meeting Schedule for the Scientific Methods Workgroup
  • November 6, 2014, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., room 2B, DEEP Headquarters
  • Thursday, September 11, 2014, 1-3 pm, Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters.
  • The meeting planned for June 24, 2014 was cancelled
  • Thursday May 22, 2014, 9:30 a.m. - noon in Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters
  • Thursday March 6, 2014, 1-3 p.m., Room 2B, DEEP Headquarters 
  • Thursday January 16, 2014, 1–4 p.m., (cancelled)
  • Thursday December 19, 2013, 1-4 p.m., 5th Floor Ensign Room, DEEP Headquarters
  • Thursday November 21, 2013, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., room 2B, DEEP Headquarters
  • October 31, 2013, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, room 4B, DEEP Headquarters
Meeting Notes for the Scientific Methods Workgroup
Municipal Implementation Workgroup #3
Propose approaches and guidance for municipalities to comply with DEEP Water Quality Standards based on EPA criteria for phosphorus.
Meeting Schedule for the Municipal Implementation Workgroup
  • Monthly meetings were scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at DEEP Headquarters.
Meeting Notes for the Municipal Implementation Workgroup
Presentations, Comments and Summaries from two PA 12-155 Public Meetings: November 28, 2012 and December 6, 2012
Questions or Comments on DEEP's Phosphorus Reduction Strategy and PA 12-155 compliance process may be submitted by email to: DEEP.phosphorus@ct.gov
Content Last Updated on October 28, 2019