Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

News Releases - 2022

Page 3 of 6

  • 5/16/2022 CAES and DEEP Anticipate Heavy Spongy Moth* Defoliation in Litchfield County this Spring

    New Haven, CT - Connecticut’s Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) are cautioning residences in northern portions of Litchfield County to anticipate a heavy presence of spongy moth (formerly named gypsy moth) caterpillars this spring along with significant defoliation of hardwood trees. Spongy moth populations rose substantially in 2021 particularly in the Sharon-Cornwall area last year, and spongy moth caterpillars have begun to emerge.

  • 6/28/2022 Fourth-of-July Weekend Beach Visitors Asked to “Fish, Swim, and Play from 50 Yards Away” of Bird Nesting Areas

    (HARTFORD)- Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is asking the public to help protect birds that nest in coastal areas by staying at least 50 yards away from places where large concentrations of birds are gathered and avoiding areas that are roped off or marked with signs designating nesting locations.

  • 3/29/2022 DEEP Resumes Non-Resident Fee Collection at Certain State Parks

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is resuming its remote non-resident parking fee system at some state parks beginning Friday, April 1st, and will resume in-person non-resident parking fee collection at several state parks beginning Memorial Day Weekend.

  • 6/17/2022 DEEP Announces Members and First Meeting of Connecticut Environmental Justice Advisory Council

    (HARTFORD) –The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce appointments to the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC), a new advisory council formed to advise DEEP on current and historic environmental injustice, pollution reduction, energy equity, climate change mitigation and resiliency, health disparities, and racial inequity.

  • 1/14/2022 National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Designates Locations in Southeastern CT as Nation’s 30th National Estuarine Research Reserve

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the University of Connecticut (UConn), other partner organizations, and members of the state’s Congressional delegation applauded the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s announcement today that a network of state-owned properties in Lyme, Old Lyme and Groton, CT and portions of the surrounding waters has been designated as the nation’s 30th National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).

  • 12/29/2022 Dinosaur State Park Offers New Interactive Exhibits

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill is open during upcoming school vacations and encourages families to come visit new indoor and outdoor exhibits. The new outdoor StoryWalk® along with two new indoor exhibits that offer high-tech augmented graphics complement the visitor center’s 200-million-year-old fossil trackway containing over 750 dinosaur tracks, hands-on exhibits, local geological history, displays, animal encounters and more.

  • 7/8/2022 DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Conclude Investigation into Killing of Newtown Bear

    On May 12, 2022, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police and Newtown Police responded to a report of a homeowner that had shot a black bear. Following a comprehensive investigation, and coordination with the Newtown Police Department and the Geographical Area (GA) #3 State’s Attorney's Office in Danbury, officers have concluded their investigation into the killing of the bear known by the DEEP Wildlife Division as bear #217. Based upon the facts of the investigation, the State’s Attorney’s Office has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against the homeowner, Lawrence Clarke.

  • 9/21/2022 DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Firearms Hunting Seasons

    (HARTFORD)- Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the Opening Days of turkey and small game hunting seasons. A variety of hunting seasons are available each fall.

  • 7/7/2022 DEEP Launches Updated Statewide Energy Efficiency Plan Focused on Decarbonization, Equity, and Affordability

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced its final approval of the 2022-2024 Conservation and Load Management Plan with modifications to transform the way Connecticut invests in energy efficiency while focusing on the following areas: equity, decarbonization, and affordability.

  • 12/30/2022 Spend the First Day of 2023 Hiking in Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests

    (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks and its partners are encouraging people to get outside walking and hiking to enjoy nature on January 1st as Connecticut takes part in celebrating America’s State Parks First Day Hikes.

  • 9/22/2022 MEDIA ADVISORY - DEEP to Hold Virtual Forum on Climate Resilience Fund Launch

    (HARTFORD, CT) – DEEP is holding a virtual launch event and webinar on Friday, September 23, from 12 noon-1 p.m. on the Climate Resilience Fund. With Governor Lamont’s announcement on Tuesday, the fund is aimed at helping communities plan and prepare for the effects of climate change by initiating planning projects for climate resilience that can be implemented and constructed with federal funds.

  • 6/30/2022 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for Connecticut for Friday July 1

    (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting very warm weather on Friday, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across much of Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for parts of Connecticut on July 1, 2022.

  • 1/28/2022 All State Parks and Forests Will Be Closed Saturday, January 29

    (HARTFORD)— Due to the impending snow storm, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be closing all State Parks and Forests, Saturday, January 29, and areas will remain closed on Sunday until snow removal is completed.

  • 6/3/2022 CT Greenways Council Holds 23rd Annual Greenway Awards and Kicks Off CT Trails Day Events

    (HARTFORD)- The Connecticut Greenways Council (CGC) held its 23rd Annual CT Greenway Awards this morning at the Poquonnock River Walkway in Groton. The event is traditionally held on the Friday before CT Trails Day, which occurs this weekend on June 4 and 5.

  • 2/4/2022 2022 Connecticut Duck Stamp Reproductions Now Available

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces that a limited quantity of reproductions of the artwork for the 2022 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp, which features a male wood duck, is now available for purchase. The artwork was created by Sophie Archer, who was the winner of the 2021 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.