News Releases - 2022

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• 5/5/2022 2022 No Child Left Inside Great Park Pursuit Kicks Off May 7 at Osbornedale State Park

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is thrilled to announce that the 2022 Great Park Pursuit kicks off this Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Osbornedale State Park in Derby with trout stocking for the kids, fishing for all (with equipment and bait for loan), and a variety of other family friendly activities.

• 4/8/2022 Connecticut DPH Issues Advisory For Fish Caught In The Hockanum River

  HARTFORD, Conn.--The Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today are issuing a consumption advisory for fish caught in the Hockanum River. This consumption advisory is based on elevated levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in fish tissue samples collected from the Hockanum River in Vernon.

• 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.

• 7/26/2022 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone on Wednesday

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting very warm weather on Wednesday, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across western Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for parts of Connecticut on July 27, 2022.

• 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.

• 1/12/2022 DEEP Encourages Residents to Limit Exposure to Air Pollution Caused by Residential Wood Smoke

  (HARTFORD)— With the arrival of frigid temperatures across Connecticut, many residents are turning to wood to heat their homes. But did you know that one old, inefficient wood stove can emit as much air pollution as five dirty, old diesel trucks? The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is urging residents to protect their health and that of their family, friends and neighbors by employing “best burn” practices. Properly burning the correct type of wood limits exposure to wood smoke, which is a hazardous air pollutant.

• 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.

• 9/16/2022 Regional Emergency Preparedness Exercise To Be Held in Capitol Region Sept. 17

  (HARTFORD)—Several emergency preparedness and response agencies are gathering on Saturday, September 17th in Windsor Locks to conduct a full-scale training exercise. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), State Emergency Response Commission, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services (Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control), the Connecticut Military Department’s New England Disaster Training Center, the Town of Enfield, fire departments from Enfield and Windsor Locks, Hartford County Fire Coordinators, DEMHS Regional representatives and the Connecticut Capitol Regional Hazardous Materials Team. Other participating agencies include the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Coast Guard. Vinal Technical High School emergency management program students assisted with exercise logistics as part of their training.

• 9/27/2022 DEEP Advises Motorists to Watch for Moose

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Recent sightings of moose in Woodbury, Southbury, Danbury, Newtown, and New Fairfield, though believed to be the same moose, serve as an important reminder for motorists to be aware that increased moose activity near roadways can pose a hazard. Though Connecticut’s moose population is small (about 100 individuals), moose can pose a serious threat to public safety when they wander onto roadways. Moose are more active and often travel farther distances during the fall breeding season, which peaks in September through October.

• 9/8/2022 Bat Appreciation Day to Be Held at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine Sept. 10

  (HARTFORD)—Join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for a celebration of bat conservation at the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event will help raise awareness about the story of one of Connecticut’s most intriguing historical sites and its importance to the conservation of endangered species.

• 12/29/2022 2023 Connecticut Duck Stamp Reproductions Now Available

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that the 2023 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp, which features Connecticut artist Sophie Archer’s depiction of an Atlantic brant, is now available in limited quantity as a Conservation Edition Print. Sophie, of Old Lyme, is the two-time winner of the Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp contest.

• 12/22/2022 Four Years On DEEP Continues to Build on 20BY20 Initiative

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today a suite of new online services and tools that continue the progress of DEEP’s “20BY20 Initiative,” a list of 20 measurable process improvements aimed at increasing predictability, efficiency, and transparency of DEEP’s regulatory processes. Though the initiative formally concluded at the end of 2020, it laid the foundation for process improvements the agency continues to make, including the new web-based tools announced today.

• 3/1/2022 Visitor Center at Dinosaur State Park Undergoes Much Needed Infrastructure Update

  (HARTFORD) – Starting Tuesday, March 1, 2022 through September 1, 2022, the Visitor Center at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill will be closed to undergo much needed infrastructure modernization with a complete replacement of its heating and air conditioning system. This infrastructure project is just one example of the myriad needs within Connecticut’s State Park system. Once the overhaul of this antiquated HVAC system is completed around summer’s end, the Visitor Center will re-open for indoor public visits and viewing of the trackway of dinosaur footprints.

• 2/16/2022 DEEP Announces $3 Million in Trail Grants For 20 Projects Across the State

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that it has awarded $3 million in grant funding through its Recreational Trails Grant Program for twenty projects to plan and design, build, expand, or enhance and improve multi-use trails across the state.