News Releases - 2025

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• 4/2/2025 DEEP to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Six Locations This Spring

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to conduct prescribed (controlled) burns at six locations this spring, weather and conditions permitting. The areas include Quinebaug River Wildlife Management Area in Plainfield, Suffield Wildlife Management Area in Suffield, Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon, Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown, and Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield.

• 4/22/2025 Governor Lamont Applauds Legislative Approval of Release-Based Cleanup Regulations

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes, and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe are applauding the vote today by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Legislative Regulation Review Committee to approve the adoption of Release-Based Cleanup Regulations.

• 3/21/2025 DEEP Announces its 2025 Sky’s the Limit Hiking and Walking Challenge: “Cross Your Trees and Dot Your Skies”

  (HARTFORD) — Does hiking, walking, and immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and fresh air of the spring season sound like something you would like to do with friends, family, four-legged friend(s), and co-workers? If so, it's time to take on the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) 2025 Sky’s the Limit Hiking and Walking Challenge!

• 1/24/2025 2025 Connecticut Duck Stamp Reproductions Now Available

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that the 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp, which features Connecticut artist Alice Han’s depiction of a Northern Shoveler, is now available in limited quantity as a Conservation Edition Print.

• 1/23/2025 DEEP to Host 19th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival February 1st

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Winter is a great time to celebrate the outdoors with your friends, family, co-workers, or anyone who loves the crisp New England weather! The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites the public to join DEEP’s No Child Left Inside® 19th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park, 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington on Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10 am to 3 pm.

• 8/1/2025 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP Celebrates Dinosaur Day-A Journey Back in Time on Saturday, August 2

• 4/28/2025 Connecticut and Northeast Partners Issue Strategic Action Plan to Advance Cost-Saving Electric Transmission Solutions

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today joined eight other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states in issuing a joint strategic action plan that identifies specific steps that state, regional, and federal policymakers can take to pursue interregional transmission solutions to reduce costs for consumers and make our energy systems more reliable.

• 4/17/2025 DEEP and Audubon CT Urge Residents to Take Down Birdfeeders and Be Bear Aware as Bears Become More Active in Spring

  (HARTFORD)— As black bear activity increases in the spring following winter denning season, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) warns residents to be “bear aware” and to do what they can to protect both their communities and bears by preventing human-bear conflicts. Simple steps to avoid feeding bears such as taking down birdfeeders now that bears are up and about will reduce the likelihood of conflicts that can lead to potential harm for both people and bears.

• 5/21/2025 DEEP Announces Alcohol Ban for Nine Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has imposed a temporary alcohol ban for nine state recreation areas. This ban is in effect from Wednesday, May 21, through Monday, August 18, at the following locations:

• 6/27/2025 DEEP Seeks Public Input on Draft 2025 Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan

  (HARTFORD) — Do you care about Connecticut’s native wildlife, fish, and plants? If so, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) would love to hear from you! DEEP has drafted an updated Wildlife Action Plan to help guide conservation in Connecticut over the next decade and encourages residents to review the draft Plan and submit comments. Let DEEP know how wildlife and nature matter to you: visit the Wildlife Action Plan Draft webpage for the draft plan and input form. The 30-day public comment period will end on July 27th.

• 4/25/2025 Amtrak and DEEP Open New Fishing Pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam

  (HARTFORD) – A brand-new pier at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam is now open for anglers, nature lovers, and other members of the public to enjoy scenic views, fishing, and more. Built by Amtrak and owned by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the permanent pier now provides an alternate fishing location while the Ferry Landing Pier/Boardwalk in Old Lyme is closed to make way for Amtrak’s construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.

• 1/21/2025 DEEP Launches Matching Funds for Community Resilience Projects as Part of Its Climate Resilience Fund

  (HARTFORD, CT) —The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for a new matching funds grant program to support Connecticut communities pursuing funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. DEEP's new matching grants program is a component of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund, which helps communities to invest in projects needed to address vulnerabilities to extreme weather and reduce impacts to critical infrastructure.

• 5/16/2025 Visitors to Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield Can Purchase Advance Parking Reservations for Weekends and Holidays

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) once again will offer an online reservation system for parking at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield. Parking passes for holidays and weekends may be purchased up to 14 days prior to arrival to help improve the experience for visitors and reduce traffic congestion near the park.

• 4/28/2025 DEEP EnCon Police Make Arrest in Fatal May 2024 Candlewood Lake Boating Incident

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that DEEP’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police arrested Robert McDonald, 23, of Flushing, New York, for a fatal boating incident that took place on Candlewood Lake on May 29th, 2024.

• 5/8/2025 Visitors May Now Reserve All-Terrain Wheelchairs to Enjoy the Outdoors at Seven Connecticut State Parks

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is excited to announce the expansion of its All-Terrain Wheelchair Program to seven Connecticut State Park and Forest locations. Five locations were available beginning last fall and starting today, users can make reservations online to use the all-terrain wheelchairs for free beginning June 7 at a total of seven locations.