News Releases

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• 3/21/2022 DEEP Announces 2022 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge

  (HARTFORD)— Are you ready for an outdoor adventure exploring CT State Parks? Curious to discover some best kept secrets and build your awareness of CT’s history, nature, or landscapes? The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) State Parks and Public Outreach Division is thrilled to announce this year’s The Sky’s The Limit (“STL”) Hiking Challenge!

• 7/29/2022 Leave them Alone: DEEP Offers Advice for Snake Encounters

  Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents that snakes are active this time of year and if left alone, snakes pose no threat to people. Snake encounters, whether around the home or along a hiking trail, can be alarming for some people. DEEP is offering advice on what to do during snake encounters and a reminder about how important these reptiles are to the natural world.

• 7/29/2022 Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew Sends Engine Crew to Fight Texas Wildfires

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Four members of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew, acting as an initial attack team, mobilized with an engine Friday morning from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough to fight wildfires in Texas.  

• 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.

• 12/2/2022 DEEP Requests Proposals for Recreational Trails Grants

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for the State’s Recreational Trails Grants. This request for applications is the largest funding round in the history of the Recreational Trails Grant program since it was established in 1997. It will make $9 million available to improve Connecticut’s trail infrastructure, which has seen significant usage increases since the onset of the pandemic. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2023.

• 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.

• 10/24/2022 Connecticut Celebrates Bat Week From Oct 24-31

  (HARTFORD, CT) –The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)celebrates Bat Week starting on October 24, as part of an international conservation awareness effort focused on the week prior to Halloween. Across Connecticut, bats are on the move; three species of tree bats are moving south for the winter, while the six cave bat species are moving shorter distances where they will spend the winter hibernating underground.

• 8/5/2022 DEEP Announces Emergency Closure to Fishing Near Tributaries to the West Branch Farmington and Farmington Rivers

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that effective August 6, 2022, it is closing short sections of the West Branch Farmington River and the Farmington River to fishing because the hot weather is creating unhealthy water temperatures for trout. DEEP is also augmenting the low release levels on the Farmington with an additional 50 cubic feet per second (CFS) of flow from the DEEP fisheries reserves to improve water conditions for fish health.

• 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.

• 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.

• 8/31/2022 DEEP Announces Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Dates

  (HARTFORD, CT) –Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the dates for the 2022-2023 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows.

• 8/12/2022 DEEP Alerts Residents and Visitors of Elevated Wildfire Risk this Weekend

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today reminds residents and visitors that forest fire danger levels are elevated from “High” to “Extreme” throughout Connecticut and are expected to remain elevated throughout the upcoming weekend due to ongoing drought conditions. The danger will remain “High” or above until there is significant rain.

• 11/4/2022 DEEP Encourages Continued Bear Awareness During Fall

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents of several best practices to reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a bear, as bears’ quest for more food makes them very active for the next few months. During the fall season, black bears increase their food intake to add fat reserves needed to help them survive winter.

• 1/6/2022 DEEP Launches 2022 Comprehensive Energy Strategy Scoping Process

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the kickoff of the process to develop the 2022 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES), which will examine future energy needs in the State and identify strategies to reduce costs, ensure reliable provision of energy, incorporate energy equity in the State’s strategies, maintain the state’s economic competitiveness, and reduce the public health and environmental impacts of Connecticut’s energy use.

• 3/24/2022 DEEP Reminds Residents To Be Bear Aware

  (HARTFORD)—Early spring is the time of year in which black bear activity increases as bears come out of their winter period of rest. As such, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to take steps to reduce encounters and potential conflicts with bears.