Legislators back new state DEEP tree-cutting policies

Environment Committee members including state Sen. Craig Miner, RLitchfield, and Rep. Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, this week announced the Senate's approval of S.B. 117, which improves transparency and establishes standards for the removal of trees and shrubs that constitute an immediate public hazard at state parks and campgrounds, according to a statement.

The bill was developed based on the DEEP's hazard tree removal process at Housatonic Meadows State Park in Sharon that began on or about November 12, 2021, Miner and Harding said.

“This process resulted in the agency's removal of 120 trees absent public notice, stakeholder outreach or public hearing,” they said.

According to Miner, between the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022, the lawmakers twice wrote to DEEP to request information, and ultimately a public informational meeting with agency staff was held.

“When you take 120 trees out of a small parcel of property, it is significant. You must have a plan and you must let the public know what that plan is, while remaining open to stakeholder and expert input,” Miner said. “In this case, this measure is a first step to showing the people of Litchfield County that their voices were heard. It is also the best balance between transparency with DEEP's activities and safety at our state parks.”

In 2021, residents complained to Miner about tree cutting at Housatonic Meadows State Park in Sharon, where they said the DEEP unnecessarily removed the trees in the fall.

In January, the Council on Environmental Quality reviewed the state's process for removing hazardous trees, and developed a list of criteria for the DEEP to consider for future projects.

Primarily, the council asked that if “certain tree removal operations qualify as actions that may significantly affect the environment in an adverse manner,” they should be subject to a public input process of the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act, according to minutes from the Jan. 26 council meeting.

If a large stand of pine trees is marked for cutting, such as those that were cut down at Housatonic Meadows, the DEEP could explain why it chose to remove them, according to the council.

Trees with extensive insect infestation or damage are often marked for removal during a hazard tree project, according to the DEEP.

The DEEP is not required by law to notify anyone before it begins a project. But Miner, Harding and residents in the area said it should be, and that the procedures the agency follows should be changed to include that notification. During the hearing with the DEEP in January, officials were given testimony by landscape and arbor experts who questioned how the agency decides what constitutes a hazardous tree. They also discussed the impact of removing trees along the riverbank, which can cause unwanted erosion and possible contamination. Much of that testimony was reiterated at the Jan. 26 meeting.

“This is a positive first step in addressing the wrongs that occurred at Housatonic Meadows State Park this past fall. It was an honor to work with Senator Miner and my other Environment Committee colleagues in crating this bill towards passage in the Senate. I look forward to advocating and championing its passage in the house,” said Harding.

Miner represents the 30th Senate District communities of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren and Winchester.

Harding represents the 107th General Assembly District communities of Brookfield, Bethel and Danbury.