Table of Contents Secs. 23-1 to 23-3. Appointment and term of commission. Powers and duties;
reports; director. Supervision of tree wardens. Sections 23-1 to 23-3, inclusive, are
repealed. Sec. 23-4. Regulations for preservation and protection. Penalties. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may adopt regulations in accordance with the
provisions of chapter 54 for the maintenance of order, safety and sanitation upon the
lands in his control and for the protection of trees and other property and the preservation
of the natural beauty thereof and fix penalties not exceeding a fine of ninety dollars for
violation of such regulations. Such regulations shall be posted in conspicuous places
upon such lands. Any person who violates any such regulation shall have committed
an infraction and may pay the fine by mail or plead not guilty under the provisions of
section 51-164n. The provisions of section 51-164m shall not apply to this section. Any
person convicted of a violation of such regulations or who forfeits a bond taken upon
any such complaint may be prohibited from entering any state park by the commissioner
for not more than one year from the date of such conviction. Sec. 23-5. Public reservations; supervision. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall have charge and supervision of all lands acquired by the state, as
public reservations, for the purposes of public recreation or the preservation of natural
beauty or historic association, except such lands as may be placed by law in the charge
and under the supervision of other commissions or officials. Sec. 23-5a. Natural area preserves. Declaration of policy. Connecticut is a state
of relatively small area, undergoing rapid industrialization and rapid diminution of areas
remaining in their natural condition. It is, therefore, declared to be the public policy
that carefully selected areas of land and water of outstanding scientific, educational,
biological, geological, paleontological or scenic value be preserved. In implementation
of this policy, there is established a Connecticut system of natural area preserves. Sec. 23-5b. Definitions. As used in sections 23-5a to 23-5i, inclusive: Sec. 23-5c. Natural area preserves system. The commissioner shall establish a
system of natural area preserves and shall have responsibility for selection, care, control,
supervision and management of all natural area preserves within the system to the extent
of the interest held by the state, and shall maintain such preserves in as natural and wild
a state as is consistent with the preservation and enhancement of protected resources
and educational, scientific, biological, geological, paleontological and scenic purposes.
In establishing such system, the commissioner shall consider as a priority the acquisition
of areas identified as essential habitats of endangered and threatened species pursuant
to the program established under section 26-305. The commissioner, alone or in cooperation with individuals or other public bodies, including the federal government, may
conduct inventories of areas within the state that may prove worthy of inclusion within
a system of natural area preserves, and may gather and disseminate information concerning inventoried areas, or natural area preserves under his control. Information collected
in such inventories shall become part of the natural diversity database of the Department
of Environmental Protection. The commissioner shall ensure the use of natural area
preserves for research consistent with purposes of sections 23-5a to 23-53, inclusive,
and 26-314. The commissioner may adopt regulations under the provisions of section
23-4 for managing the natural area preserves system including, but not limited to, procedures for the adoption and revision of a management plan for each designated natural area
preserve. A management plan may permit recreational activities which do not adversely
impact the protected resources of the natural area preserve. The commissioner may use
funds available under section 23-79 for the development and implementation of such
management plans. Sec. 23-5d. Approval of preserve. (a) The commissioner may approve a natural
area preserve only upon the recommendation of the Natural Area Preserves Advisory
Committee and only after public hearing and upon notice. The notice required by this
section shall set forth the substance of the proposed action and describe, with or without
legal description, the area affected and shall set forth the time and place of the hearing,
and shall be published at least once in the Connecticut Law Journal not less than fifteen
days nor more than sixty days before such hearing. Such notice shall also be published
twice in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality or municipalities in which the natural area is situated, at intervals of not less than ten days, the first
not more than forty-five days nor less than thirty days, and the last not less than five
days before such hearing. Sec. 23-5e. Alienation. (a) An area designated as a natural area preserve is declared
to be put to its highest, best and most important use for public benefit and no interest
therein owned by the state shall be alienated or put to any use other than as a natural
area preserve, except upon a finding by the commissioner in consultation with the natural
area preserves committee that (1) such alienation or other use serves a public necessity
and that no prudent alternative exists or (2) the features of the land found worthy of
preservation have been destroyed or irretrievably damaged so that the public purpose
in preserving such land has been frustrated, and after the approval of such proposed
alienation or other use by the Governor. Any alienation shall be subject to the payment
of just compensation to the state for the use of the commissioner and to such other terms
and conditions as the commissioner shall determine. Any finding which the commissioner is required to make under sections 23-5a to 23-5i, inclusive, shall be made only
after public hearing and upon notice. The notice required by this section shall set forth
the substance of the proposed action and describe, with or without legal description, the
area affected, and shall set forth the time and place of the hearing, and shall be published
at least twice in the Connecticut Law Journal, at intervals of not less than fifteen days,
the first not more than sixty days nor less than thirty days, and the last not less than five
days before such hearing. Such notice shall also be published twice in a newspaper
having a substantial circulation in the municipality or municipalities in which the area
directly affected is situated, at intervals of not less than ten days, the first not more than
forty-five days, nor less than thirty days, and the last not less than five days before such
hearing. No finding which the commissioner is required to make under sections 23-5a
to 23-5i, inclusive, shall be effective until, after the approval by the Governor of the
proposed action based on such finding, the finding has been published in the Connecticut
Law Journal. No action shall be taken by the state pursuant to such finding prior to the
expiration of sixty days after such finding becomes effective. During such sixty-day
period, any such finding may be appealed by any resident of this state, in a suit brought
against the commissioner in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford. In
any such action, the court shall vacate such finding if it finds the commissioner acted
arbitrarily or illegally with bad faith or with malice in making such finding. During the
pendency of such appeal, the state shall take no action pursuant to the findings of the
commissioner. Sec. 23-5f. Advisory committee. Section 23-5f is repealed. Sec. 23-5g. Cooperation with federal agencies. The commissioner is authorized
to cooperate with any federal governmental agency in carrying out any provisions of
sections 23-5a to 23-5i, inclusive. Sec. 23-5h. Acquisition of property. The commissioner is authorized to acquire
real property or any interest therein for natural area preserves by purchase, gift or devise.
The commissioner is authorized to accept any gift or bequest of money or other personal
property to be used to acquire natural area preserves, or any interest therein, or to meet
expenses involved in matters pertaining to the system of natural area preserves. Such
funds shall be held by the State Treasurer to be used and expended under the direction
of said commissioner. Sec. 23-5i. Responsibility of other public authorities. Nothing in sections 23-5a
to 23-5i, inclusive, shall limit any other duly appointed public authority from exercising
responsibility related to the suppression of fire, or any noxious insect, animal or plant,
when such action is deemed necessary to protect public health or safety. Sec. 23-6. Maintenance of state park and forest lands adjoining other states.
The Commissioner of Environmental Protection is authorized to cooperate with any
official or agency having similar authority in any adjoining state for the care and maintenance of state park and forest lands lying along the boundary of this and such adjoining
state, and may enter into an agreement with any such official or agency for the joint
care and maintenance of such lands, upon such terms and for such periods as may be
mutually agreed upon. Sec. 23-7. Memorials in state parks and reservations. The Commissioner of
Environmental Protection may erect, or permit to be erected, upon any state park, ground
or reservation any suitable monument, memorial or memorial tablet in commemoration
of the services of any soldier, sailor or marine, or any organization of soldiers, sailors
or marines, who participated in any war or engagement in which any of the forces of
the United States were engaged. Said commissioner may assume the care and maintenance of any public monument offered to him, or any public monument which is not
under the care of any commission or department of the state, if he deems such action
advisable, and the expense of such care and maintenance shall be paid by the state. Sec. 23-8. Open spaces for recreation. State goal for acquisition of open space.
(a) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall have power, acting by himself
or with local authorities, to acquire, maintain and make available to the public open
spaces for recreation. Said commissioner may take, in the name of the state and for the
benefit of the public, by purchase, gift or devise, lands and rights in land and personal
estate for public open spaces, or take bonds for the conveyance thereof, or may lease
the same for a period not exceeding five years, with an option to buy, and may preserve
and care for such public reservations, and, in his discretion and upon such terms as he
may approve, such other open spaces within this state as may be entrusted, given or
devised to the state by the United States or by cities, towns, corporations or individuals
for the purposes of public recreation, or for the preservation of natural beauty or historical
association, provided said commissioner shall not take or contract to take by purchase
or lease any land or other property for an amount or amounts beyond such sum or sums
as have been appropriated or contributed therefor. No provision of this section shall be
construed to set aside any terms or conditions under which gifts or bequests of land have
been accepted by the commissioner. Sec. 23-8a. Conveyance of certain state land previously held as protected open
space. On and after June 29, 1999, any person, organization or political subdivision of
the state to whom the state proposes to convey state park land, forest land or other state
land held as protected open space shall execute a conservation easement or similar
encumbrance in favor of the state which provides for the same restriction on development
of such land as that which was in effect for such land immediately prior to such conveyance. No such state land may be conveyed without such an encumbrance. Sec. 23-9. Acquisition of property by eminent domain. The commissioner is
authorized to take land or any interest therein by right of eminent domain in the manner
provided for in section 48-12 for the public purposes for which it is authorized to acquire
land under the provisions of section 23-8. Sec. 23-9a. Acquisition of easements for maintenance of dams. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may acquire by purchase, lease or gift, or by condemnation in the manner provided by chapter 835, such land, easements or rights-of-way
as are needed in connection with maintenance, repairs, reconstruction or remodeling of
state-owned dams. Sec. 23-9b. West Rock Ridge conservation area and supplement. Notice requirements re land use changes or transfers. Penalties. (a) The Commissioner of
Environmental Protection shall review the West Rock Ridge conservation area established in special act 75-80, as amended by special acts 76-47 and 77-49 and the West
Rock Ridge conservation area supplement established in special act 79-92, and shall
designate, within said areas, certain parcels for priority acquisition by the state. Sec. 23-10. Development of recreational areas. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may develop recreational areas or picnic areas for public use and may
erect other structures in the state parks and forests within the limitations of any funds
specifically appropriated therefor, provided such appropriations shall be expended on
state-owned property. Sec. 23-10a. Designation of state hiking trails. Those portions of the Connecticut
blue blazed trails system which cross state property are hereby designated as state hiking trails. Secs. 23-10b to 23-10g. Reserved for future use. Sec. 23-10h. Heritage parks: Legislative policy. The General Assembly recognizes that the cities in the state have a rich historical and cultural heritage, that many of
the cities are in need of economic revitalization and that preservation and interpretation
of such heritage can foster revitalization by encouraging private sector investment and
tourism. Therefore, the General Assembly declares that it is the policy of the state to
develop new recreational opportunities in conjunction with the preservation and interpretation of such heritage through the designation of a system of heritage parks so that
the quality of life for Connecticut residents may be improved. Sec. 23-10i. Designation of heritage parks. Advisory boards. Public hearing.
Municipal approval. Designation of additional sites. (a) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the State Historic Commission, shall develop criteria and guidelines for the designation of heritage parks consisting of sites in a region linked by a
common social, historical or economic theme. Thereafter, in accordance with such criteria and guidelines, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may designate the
boundaries, name and theme of any such park, as well as any physical sites to be included.
Any designation shall be consistent with the plan for development of outdoor recreation
and other natural resources authorized under section 22a-21 and shall be made after
consideration of the significance of the heritage of the sites to be included and the
economic benefit to the state from such designation. Sites designated for inclusion in a
heritage park shall not be required to be contiguous to one another and need not be
owned by the state. Sec. 23-11. Licenses for use of portions of parks or forests. The Commissioner
of Environmental Protection may grant revocable licenses for public purposes to any
person for the use of any portion of any state forest or state park if said commissioner
finds that such purposes are not in conflict with park or forest purposes. Sec. 23-12. Transfer of control of open spaces. Any town or other municipality
may transfer the care and control of any open spaces owned or controlled by it to the
Commissioner of Environmental Protection upon such terms and for such periods as
may be mutually agreed upon, or may enter into any agreement with said commissioner
for the joint care or preservation of open spaces within or adjacent to such town or
municipality, and said commissioner may, in like manner, transfer the care and control
of any open spaces controlled by him to any local public authorities upon such terms
and for such periods as may be agreed upon. Sec. 23-13. Animals for public parks. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the custodians of any state or municipal park may accept, either by purchase
or gift, for free exhibition purposes only, any fish, crustacean, bird or animal. Sec. 23-14. Rights-of-way in state parks and forests. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may grant rights-of-way or other easements on or with respect to
any state park or state forest, if said commissioner finds that such purposes are not in
conflict with park or forest purposes with respect to such lands. Sec. 23-14a. (Formerly Sec. 19a-192a). Payments to certified ambulance services for calls at state parks or forests. Section 23-14a is repealed. Sec. 23-15. State park receipts deposited in General Fund. All receipts from
the operation of the state parks shall be deposited in the General Fund in accordance
with the provisions of section 4-32. Expenditures incurred by the Department of Environmental Protection for the operation, maintenance and extension of or improvements
to state parks shall be paid with moneys appropriated from the General Fund. Sec. 23-15a. Use of state parks. Reimbursement of municipalities. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall, within available appropriations, reimburse
municipalities for necessary costs incurred when the use of a state park in those municipalities is so great as to impede traffic, limit the movement of emergency vehicles or
create a risk of a breach of peace or a threat to public safety. Sec. 23-16. Leases of camp sites. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection
may execute with residents and nonresidents of this state leases of camping sites and
buildings on the state parks for limited periods except as provided in section 23-16a and
the proceeds from such leases, together with any other income resulting from the use
of the state parks, shall be added to the General Fund as provided in section 23-15. Not
later than April 1, 1982, said commissioner shall establish a schedule of fees payable
for the leasing of state camping sites and buildings in amounts not less than one hundred
seventy-five per cent of the amounts charged according to the schedule of camping
permit fees established by said commissioner and in effect as of April 1, 1980. Annually
not later than the first day of November said commissioner shall allocate from funds
available for state park and forest areas in the then current fiscal year, an amount not
less than fifty per cent of the portion of such fees collected in the preceding fiscal year
directly related to the amount of increase in such fees as required in this section, to be
used for purposes of maintenance and improvement of such state camping sites and
buildings. Any fees paid for any lease under this section shall not be subject to refund
under section 22a-10 unless (1) the lessee gives notice of cancellation to the commissioner not later than fourteen days prior to the date such lease is to commence, (2)
the park is closed by executive order of the Governor or (3) the lessee submits proof,
satisfactory to the commissioner, of a death or serious illness in the family which prevents use of the facility during the period of the lease. The commissioner may deduct
a reasonable service charge from any amount refunded pursuant to subdivisions (1) and
(3) of this section. Sec. 23-16a. Long-term leasing of camp sites. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall phase out the leases of camping sites at shore parks which the
State Park and Forest Commission determined were, in the 1970 season, leased for more
than three weeks in the aggregate to the same family by reducing their number equally
each year, for the next five years. Sec. 23-17. Trust funds. The State Treasurer is authorized, with the approval of
the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, to receive and hold in trust for the state,
exempt from taxation, any grant or devise of land or rights in land and any gift or bequest
of money or other personal property made for the purposes of this chapter, and shall
preserve and invest any funds so received in such securities as trustees are permitted to
invest in. Such invested funds shall be known as the State Park Fund and shall be used
and expended under the direction of said commissioner and subject to his orders. Sec. 23-18. State Park Police. The Commissioner of Public Safety may, upon
application of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, appoint, during his pleasure, one or more persons employed upon the public reservations in charge of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and designated by him, who, having been sworn,
may arrest any person in such reservation for any offense committed therein and take
such person before some competent authority. Each such policeman shall, when on duty,
wear in plain view a shield bearing the words "State Park Police" or "State Forest Police",
whichever is appropriate. Sec. 23-19. State Forester. There shall be within the Department of Environmental Protection a State Forester who shall be responsible to the commissioner for the
performance of his duties and shall be accountable to the commissioner in all his official
activities. The State Forester shall be a technically trained forester with not less than ten
years' experience in professional forestry. He shall be responsible for forest management
and protection of department lands and for assuming a leadership role in the conservation, management and protection of state forest resources. Sec. 23-20. Powers and duties of commissioner. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall administer the statutes relating to forestry and the protection of
forests. He may employ such field and office assistants as may be necessary for the
execution of his duties. He may, from time to time, publish the forestry laws of the state
and other literature of general interest and practical value pertaining to forestry. He may
enter into cooperation with departments of the federal government for the promotion
of forest resource management and protection within the state. He may with the assistance of the State Forester develop and administer plans for the protection and management of publicly-owned woodlands. Such plans shall include but not be limited to proposals for the establishment of forest plantations and the marketing of forest products.
He may harvest forest products from woodlands owned by the state and take such other
measures as he deems necessary for their efficient management and protection, may
sell wood, timber and other products from any state woodlands whenever he deems such
sales desirable and may develop recreational facilities in the woodlands managed by
the Department of Environmental Protection. He shall charge no less than ten dollars
per cord for any such wood or timber sold as fuel. He may rent state forest property and
buildings thereon under his jurisdiction for a period not exceeding twenty-five years,
provided any lease for such property and building for a term of more than ten years shall
be subject to the review and approval of the State Properties Review Board. The proceeds
of such sales, rentals and any receipts resulting from management of the state forests,
or from reimbursements from other state departments or state institutions, shall be deposited in the General Fund in accordance with the provisions of section 4-32. Expenditures
incurred by the commissioner for the protection, management and development of the
forests, the preparation and marketing of forest products and the acquisition of land for
the extension and completion of the state forests as provided in section 23-21 shall be
paid with moneys appropriated from the General Fund. The provisions of this section
shall not apply to land owned or managed by the state on which forest resource management measures may be restricted by deed, statute, or incompatible use. As used in this
section, woodland means land owned or managed by a state agency and stocked with
forest tree species not less than six hundred stems per acre and at least one year old. Sec. 23-21. Purchase and sale of land by commissioner. The Commissioner of
Environmental Protection may buy land in the state suitable for the growth of timber,
at a price not exceeding ten dollars per acre, unless a higher price is authorized by the
Governor. Such land shall be deeded to the state and shall be called a state forest. The
commissioner may accept deeds and devises of such lands which may be offered to the
state without cost. He may, with the approval of the Governor, sell or exchange any
land acquired for state forests or any easement or interest therein, and may, in the name
of the state, execute deeds for such purposes, provided no land shall be sold or exchanged
by said commissioner pursuant to this section unless land of at least equal fair market
value and reasonably equivalent usefulness has been substituted for such land. No provision of this section shall be construed to set aside any terms or conditions under which
gifts or bequests of land have been accepted for state forests. Sec. 23-22. Acquisition of land by exchange. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may acquire land adjoining or in close proximity to an established state
forest, by exchanging for title in fee simple to such land the right to cut and remove
wood, lumber or other forest products from state forest land to an amount equal in value
to that of the land to be acquired. The commissioner may contract on behalf of the state
with the owner of land, title to which is thus acquired, to allow the cutting of a specified
amount of forest products over a period not exceeding ten years, provided all such
cuttings shall be carried out in accordance with regulations prescribed by the commissioner and under his supervision. Sec. 23-23. Purchase and sale of seeds and seedling stock. (a) The Commissioner
of Environmental Protection may, in cooperation with federal agencies, or by his own
initiative, raise or purchase, with moneys appropriated from the General Fund, planting
seed or seedling stock for reforestation, farm windbreaks, wildlife management plantings or soil conservation or other conservation purposes within the state and may sell
such seedlings to landowners in this state, state agencies, municipalities or conservation
organizations at prices which will cover the approximate cost of the seedlings to the state.
Secs. 23-1 to 23-3. Appointment and term of commission. Powers and duties; reports; director. Supervision of tree wardens.
Sec. 23-4. Regulations for preservation and protection. Penalties.
Sec. 23-5. Public reservations; supervision.
Sec. 23-5a. Natural area preserves. Declaration of policy.
Sec. 23-5b. Definitions.
Sec. 23-5c. Natural area preserves system.
Sec. 23-5d. Approval of preserve.
Sec. 23-5e. Alienation.
Sec. 23-5f. Advisory committee.
Sec. 23-5g. Cooperation with federal agencies.
Sec. 23-5h. Acquisition of property.
Sec. 23-5i. Responsibility of other public authorities.
Sec. 23-6. Maintenance of state park and forest lands adjoining other states.
Sec. 23-7. Memorials in state parks and reservations.
Sec. 23-8. Open spaces for recreation. State goal for acquisition of open space.
Sec. 23-8a. Conveyance of certain state land previously held as protected open space.
Sec. 23-9. Acquisition of property by eminent domain.
Sec. 23-9a. Acquisition of easements for maintenance of dams.
Sec. 23-9b. West Rock Ridge conservation area and supplement. Notice requirements re land
use changes or transfers. Penalties.
Sec. 23-10. Development of recreational areas.
Sec. 23-10a. Designation of state hiking trails.
Secs. 23-10b to 23-10g.
Sec. 23-10h. Heritage parks: Legislative policy.
Sec. 23-10i. Designation of heritage parks. Advisory boards. Public hearing. Municipal
approval. Designation of additional sites.
Sec. 23-11. Licenses for use of portions of parks or forests.
Sec. 23-12. Transfer of control of open spaces.
Sec. 23-13. Animals for public parks.
Sec. 23-14. Rights-of-way in state parks and forests.
Sec. 23-14a. (Formerly Sec. 19a-192a). Payments to certified ambulance services for calls
at state parks or forests.
Sec. 23-15. State park receipts deposited in General Fund.
Sec. 23-15a. Use of state parks. Reimbursement of municipalities.
Sec. 23-16. Leases of camp sites.
Sec. 23-16a. Long-term leasing of camp sites.
Sec. 23-17. Trust funds.
Sec. 23-18. State Park Police.
Sec. 23-19. State Forester.
Sec. 23-20. Powers and duties of commissioner.
Sec. 23-21. Purchase and sale of land by commissioner.
Sec. 23-22. Acquisition of land by exchange.
Sec. 23-23. Purchase and sale of seeds and seedling stock.
Sec. 23-24. Establishment of boundaries.
Sec. 23-24a. Survey of boundaries of state parks and forest lands.
Sec. 23-25. Granting of leases for public purposes.
Sec. 23-26. Revenue from state parks and facilities. Motor vehicle parking passes. Lifetime passes for residents sixty-five years of age or older.
Sec. 23-26a. "All-terrain vehicle" defined.
Sec. 23-26b. Certificate to operate all-terrain vehicles on state land.
Sec. 23-26c. Availability of state land for use by persons operating all-terrain vehicles.
Sec. 23-26d. Regulations re safety education courses for the operation of all-terrain vehicles.
Sec. 23-26e. Operation of all-terrain vehicles on state land by certain minors.
Sec. 23-26f. Regulations re operation of all-terrain vehicles.
Sec. 23-26g. Penalties.
Sec. 23-27. Federal grants.
Secs. 23-27a to 23-27k. Registration of private land for recreational purposes.
(1949 Rev., S. 3428−3430; 1951, S. 1854d; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; February, 1965, P.A. 614, S. 1; 1971,
P.A. 872, S. 157; P.A. 73-616, S. 21.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1949 Rev., S. 3431; 1951, S. 1855d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 158; P.A. 74-245, S. 3; P.A. 76-381, S. 14; P.A. 82-255, S. 1;
P.A. 83-285, S. 5.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 74-245 raised maximum fine from twenty to fifty dollars; P.A. 76-381 added provisions classifying
violation as an infraction, allowing payment of fine by mail or pleading of not guilty and excluding provisions from
applicability of Sec. 51-164m; P.A. 82-255 raised the fine from fifty to one hundred dollars and authorized the commissioner
to prohibit persons convicted of a violation or forfeiting a bond from entering a state park for one year; P.A. 83-285 reduced
the maximum fine for violations of regulations from ninety-nine to ninety dollars.
See chapter 54 re uniform administrative procedure.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1949 Rev., S. 3432; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 159; P.A. 96-180, S. 82, 166.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 96-180 changed "Said commissioner" to "The Commissioner of Environmental Protection", effective June 3, 1996.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1969, P.A. 727, S. 1; P.A. 91-65, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 91-65 rephrased the policy declaration to include reference to "biological, geological, paleontological or
scenic value".
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1) "Natural area" means an area of land or water, or land and water, containing,
or potentially containing, plant or animal life or features of biological, scientific, educational, geological, paleontological, or scenic value worthy of preservation in their natural
condition;
(2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection;
(3) "Natural area preserve" means a natural area which has been approved by the
commissioner and designated by the Governor. Such designation shall be effective only
as to interests in land owned by the state or conveyed to the state in form approved
by the commissioner within ninety days after such designation or land subject to a
conservation restriction, as defined by section 47-42a, conveyed to the state by a private
landowner; and
(4) "Protected resources" means the particular conditions, vegetation or natural features within a natural area preserve, including, but not limited to, any species of plant
or wildlife, which require protection and preservation in order to continue and flourish.
(1969, P.A. 727, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 160; P.A. 91-65, S. 2; 91-358, S. 2; P.A. 97-54, S. 1.)
History: 1971 act defined "commissioner" rather than "commission" and changed references throughout to reflect
transfer of duties from state park and forest commission to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 91-65 rephrased
the definition of "natural area", redefined "natural area preserve" to include land dedicated to the state by a private landowner, and added a new Subsec. (d) defining "dedicated land"; P.A. 91-358 amended Subsec. (c) to remove from definition
of natural area preserve land dedicated to the state by private land owners and substituted land subject to a conservation
restriction and deleted Subsec. (d); P.A. 97-54 added definition of "protected resources" and replaced alphabetic Subdiv.
indicators with numeric indicators.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1969, P.A. 727, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 161; P.A. 89-224, S. 12, 22; P.A. 91-65, S. 3; P.A. 97-54, S. 2; P.A. 99-225,
S. 13, 33.)
History: 1971 act substituted references to environmental protection commissioner for references to state park and
forest commission; P.A. 89-224 added the requirement to consider the acquisition of essential habitat of endangered and
threatened species; P.A. 91-65 added provision concerning use of inventory information in natural diversity database and
rephrased the language authorizing regulations under this section; P.A. 97-54 specified that maintenance of preserves is
to be consistent with preservation and enhancement of protected resources and that management plans for preserves may
permit recreational activities which do not adversely impact protected resources; P.A. 99-225 authorized use of funds from
the recreation and natural heritage trust stewardship account for the development and implementation of management
plans under this section, effective July 1, 1999.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) In addition to lands owned by the state or conveyed to the state within ninety
days after designation, the commissioner may approve and the Governor may designate
as a natural area preserve land subject to a conservation restriction, as defined in section
47-42a, where such conservation restriction has been conveyed to the state. Any conservation restriction agreed to by the owner and the commissioner shall contain rights and
restrictions to protect the qualifying features of the land and shall include a statement
of the public purposes served by the conveyance and a statement that the commissioner
shall hold such interests in trust for the public as a natural area preserve as designated
by the Governor under the terms and authority of sections 23-5a to 23-5i, inclusive.
Such conservation restriction shall be conveyed by deed to the commissioner who shall
record such deed on the land records in the municipality in which such land is located.
(c) The owner of land designated a natural area preserve pursuant to subsection (b)
of this section shall notify the commissioner before sale or transfer by deed or lease of
the land or other interests therein. The commissioner may not regulate or prohibit such
sale or transfer. The executor of a will or the administrator of an estate shall notify the
commissioner whenever such lands are transferred by will or as part of an estate.
(1969, P.A. 727, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 162; P.A. 91-65, S. 4; 91-358, S. 3.)
History: 1971 act replaced reference to state park and forest commission with reference to environmental protection
commissioner; P.A. 91-65 added requirement that natural area preserves advisory committee recommend approval of a
preserve before the commissioner may approve such preserve and added new Subsecs. (b) and (c) concerning designation
of private land as natural area preserve where such land is the subject of articles of dedication entered into by the landowner
and the state; P.A. 91-358 amended Subsec. (b) by removing reference to dedicated land and substituting conservation
restriction in lieu thereof and added provision requiring conservation restrictions to be conveyed by deed and filed in the
local land records.
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(b) If the Governor approves the alienation of any conservation restriction conveyed
to the commissioner pursuant to subsection (b) of section 23-5d, such conservation
restriction shall be extinguished and the commissioner shall record a release of the
conservation restrictions on the land records in the municipality in which such land is
located.
(1969, P.A. 727, S. 5; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 119; 872, S. 163; P.A. 76-436, S. 462, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 5, 127; P.A. 88-
230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-65, S. 5; 91-358, S. 4; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4−6.)
History: 1971 acts replaced superior court with court of common pleas, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts
with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable, and replaced references to state park
and forest commission with references to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common
pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" for
"Hartford county"; P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford",
effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September
1, 1993; P.A. 91-65 added language qualifying the findings required of the commissioner for alienation of a preserve; P.A.
91-358 designated existing language as Subsec. (a) and restated provision requiring the commissioner to consult with the
natural area preserves committee in making a finding under section and allow as a reason for transfer or release a finding
that the qualifying features of the land have been destroyed or irretrievably damaged and that the land's purpose as a
preserve has been undone and requiring that the land's transfer or other use serve a public necessity rather than an imperative
and unavailable public necessity and added Subsec. (b) re termination of restriction; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective
date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the
effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.
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(1969, P.A. 727, S. 6; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 164; P.A. 77-614, S. 609, 610.)
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(1969, P.A. 727, S. 7; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 165.)
History: 1971 act replaced reference to state park and forest commission with reference to environmental protection
commissioner.
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(1969, P.A. 727, S. 8; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 166.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner.
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(1969, P.A. 727, S. 9.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 3433; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 167.)
History: 1971 act replaced "commission", referring to state park and forest commission, with "commissioner of environmental protection".
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(1949 Rev., S. 3434; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 168; P.A. 96-180, S. 83, 166.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner; P.A. 96-180 changed "Said commissioner" to "The Commissioner of Environmental Protection", effective
June 3, 1996.
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(b) Twenty-one per cent of the state's land area shall be held as open space land.
The goal of the state's open space acquisition program shall be to acquire land such that
ten per cent of the state's land area is held by the state as open space land and not less
than eleven per cent of the state's land area is held by municipalities, water companies
or nonprofit land conservation organizations as open space land consistent with the
provisions of sections 7-131d to 7-131g, inclusive. Such program shall not affect the
ability of any water company to reclassify or sell any land, or interest in land, which
was not acquired, in whole or in part, with funds made available under the program
established under sections 7-131d to 7-131g, inclusive. The goal for state open space
acquisition shall be three thousand acres acquired in 1999, four thousand acres acquired
in 2000, four thousand acres acquired in 2001 and five thousand acres acquired in 2002
provided such acquisition program shall continue until the overall state goal of open
space acquisition is achieved. The commissioner, in consultation with the Council on
Environmental Quality established under section 22a-11 and private nonprofit land conservation organizations, shall prepare, and update as necessary, a comprehensive strategy for achieving the state goal and shall set an appropriate additional goal for increasing
the amount of land held as open space by municipalities or by private nonprofit land
conservation organizations and shall include in such strategy provisions for achieving
such goal. Such strategy shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations regarding:
(1) Timetables for acquisition of land by the state, (2) management of such land, (3)
resources to be used for acquisition and management of such land, and (4) acquisition
and maintenance of open space land by municipalities and by private entities. On or
before January 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a report
to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to the environment regarding the strategy and the progress being made towards
the goals.
(1949 Rev., S. 3436; 1951, 1953, S. 1857d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 169; P.A. 96-180, S. 84, 166; P.A. 97-227, S. 1, 5; P.A.
99-173, S. 46, 65; 99-235, S. 2, 7; P.A. 00-26, S. 3.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner; P.A. 96-180 changed "Said commissioner" to "The Commissioner of Environmental Protection", effective
June 3, 1996; P.A. 97-227 added new Subsec. (b) re state goal for the acquisition of open space and designated existing
provisions as Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-173 amended Subsec. (b) re state goal of eleven per cent of state
land held by municipalities, water companies or nonprofit land conservation organizations as open space, effective June
23, 1999; P.A. 99-235 amended Subsec. (b) to reword the state goal of open space acquisition, to delete a reference to
consistency of certain open space with Sec. 25-37c, to clarify that this section shall not affect the ability of water companies
to sell land not purchased with money from the state for open space acquisition and to provide specific calendar year goals
for open space acquisition, effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 00-26 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting "by the state" re land held
as open space land and making a technical change.
Cited. 116 C. 120.
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(P.A. 99-235, S. 4, 7.)
History: P.A. 99-235 effective June 29, 1999.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3437; 1967, P.A. 864, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 170.)
History: 1967 act authorized taking of land "by right of eminent domain" pursuant to Secs. 48-12 and 48-16, deleting
"by condemnation", and deleted detailed provisions re procedure for taking, compensation, etc.; 1971 act replaced reference
to state park and forest commission with reference to environmental protection commissioner and deleted reference to
Sec. 48-16.
See Sec. 48-10 re determination of damages in cases brought by state to condemn land by state referee.
Former provision for determination of damages by three appraisers held impliedly repealed by section 48-10. 116 C. 119.
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(1963, P.A. 341; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 171.)
History: 1971 act replaced state park and forest commission with environmental protection commissioner.
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(b) The commissioner shall cause to be recorded on the land records of the appropriate town for each such priority parcel a notice of the requirements and restrictions
on such parcels contained in special act 75-80, as amended by special acts 76-47 and
77-49 and special act 79-92, including the requirement that each owner of any such
property notify the commissioner of any transfer, development or change in use, including proposals for a change in use which necessitate the approval of any state or local
board or agency. On or before ninety days after such recordation, the commissioner
shall send, by registered mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the notice, together
with a statement as to where the notice was filed, to the property owner at his last-known
address.
(c) The owner of any land within the West Rock Ridge conservation area or the
West Rock Ridge conservation area supplement may satisfy the notice requirements
contained in special act 75-80, as amended by special acts 76-47 and 77-49, or special
act 79-92, by sending a notice in writing, by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the commissioner of such owner's intention to transfer, develop or change
the use of such property. Prior to any transfer, development or change in use of the
property, the owner shall certify in writing that he has sent such notice to the commissioner and shall include in such certification the return receipt of such notice by the
commissioner. Such certification shall be filed on the land records of the appropriate
town together with any documentation of such transfer, development or change in use.
(d) No state or municipal board or agency may approve any application for development, transfer or change in use for any real property located within the West Rock Ridge
conservation area or the West Rock Ridge conservation area supplement unless the
applicant provides the certification required under subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Any person who develops, transfers or changes the use of, including obtaining
approval from a state or local board or agency for a change in use, any priority property
for which the commissioner has recorded notice in accordance with subsection (b) of
this section, without complying with the notice and certification provisions of subsection
(c) of this section, shall be liable for a civil penalty: (1) In the case of a development or
change in use, an amount equivalent to three times the difference between the fair market
value of such property immediately prior to any development, change in use or approval
for a change in use occurring prior thereto, whichever is earlier, and the present fair
market value of such property, or (2) in the case of a transfer of such property, an amount
equivalent to five per cent of the consideration for such transfer. The Attorney General,
at the request of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, shall bring an action
in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce the provisions of this
subsection and any such action shall have precedence in the order of trial as provided
in section 52-191.
(P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 94-147; P.A. 95-220, S. 4−6.)
History: P.A. 88-230, P.A. 90-98 and P.A. 93-142 authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial
district of Hartford-New Britain at Hartford" in public and special acts of the 1994 regular and special sessions, effective
September 1, 1996; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998,
effective July 1, 1995.
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(1953, June, 1955, S. 1858d; 1957, P.A. 219; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 172; P.A. 96-180, S. 85, 166.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner; P.A. 96-180 changed "Said commissioner" to "The Commissioner of Environmental Protection", effective
June 3, 1996.
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(P.A. 77-300.)
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(P.A. 87-463, S. 1, 4.)
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(b) Prior or to designating a heritage park, the commissioner shall establish an advisory board to advise him on the designation of the boundaries, name, theme and sites
to be included in a potential heritage park. The board shall consist of not less than ten
members representing municipalities located within the boundaries of the proposed
heritage park. The number of members from each municipality shall be determined
based on the ratio of the population of such municipality to the population of all the
municipalities to be included in the proposed heritage park. The commissioner shall
appoint the members of the board from lists submitted by the legislative bodies of the
municipalities located within the boundaries of the proposed heritage park.
(c) The commissioner shall conduct a public hearing concerning the boundaries,
name, theme and sites to be included in a proposed heritage park at least thirty days
prior to designation of such park. At least thirty days before such hearing, the commissioner shall cause to be published once, in a newspaper having a substantial circulation
in the area affected, notice of the proposal to designate a heritage park along with notice
of the time, date and location of the public hearing to be held on such designation.
(d) The designation of the name, boundaries and theme of a heritage park shall not
be effective until it is approved by each municipality that is located within the boundaries
of such park, by vote of its legislative body. No site shall be designated for inclusion
in such park unless the owner of such site consents to its inclusion.
(e) Upon designation of a heritage park, the commissioner shall establish an advisory board to advise him on the promotion and development of such park. The members
shall be appointed as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(f) The commissioner, after consultation with the advisory board established pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, may designate additional sites to be included in a
heritage park, provided the owners of any such site consent to the designation. The
commissioner may, after a public hearing held pursuant to the notice provisions of
subsection (c) of this section and upon approval by each municipality located within the
boundaries of a heritage park, alter the boundaries, name and theme of such heritage park.
(g) The commissioner may, within available appropriations, (1) establish and operate centers for the distribution of information about heritage parks and (2) lease or purchase land or buildings and accept gifts, donations or contributions for the purposes of
this section.
(P.A. 87-463, S. 2, 4; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)
History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.
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(1957, P.A. 220; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 173; P.A. 96-180, S. 86, 166.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner; P.A. 96-180 changed "Said commissioner" to "The Commissioner of Environmental Protection", effective
June 3, 1996.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3438; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 174.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3439; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 103; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 175.)
History: 1961 act deleted reference to counties; 1971 act replaced "commissioners", presumably members of state park
and forest commission, with commissioner of environmental protection.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3440; 1949, S. 1859d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 176.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner.
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(P.A. 86-358, S. 1, 3; P.A. 87-422, S. 1, 3; P.A. 91-369, S. 35, 36.)
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(June, 1955, S. 1860d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 177.)
History: 1971 act replaced state park and forest commission with department of environmental protection.
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(P.A. 00-192, S. 31, 102.)
History: P.A. 00-192 effective July 1, 2000.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3442; March, 1958, P.A. 27, S. 12; 1969, P.A. 733, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 178; P.A. 80-435; P.A. 81-
344; P.A. 92-195, S. 1, 3.)
History: 1969 act specified that leases may be granted to residents and nonresidents except as provided in Sec. 23-16a;
1971 act replaced state park and forest commission with commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 80-435 added
provisions describing schedule of fees to be implemented not later than April 1, 1981; P.A. 81-344 changed deadline for
establishment of fee schedule from April 1, 1981, to April 1, 1982, and changed minimum increase from one hundred fifty
to one hundred seventy-five per cent of rates in effect on April 1, 1980, applicable in all cases, deleting higher rate of
increase (200%) for nonresidents; P.A. 92-195 added provision re refunds under Sec. 22a-10.
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(1969, P.A. 733, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 179.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner and reworded provisions re phasing out extended leases in more general terms, deleting requirement that
such leases be reduced in equal numbers each year for five years.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3443; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 180.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission with references to environmental protection
commissioner.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3444; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 181; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610.)
History: 1971 act replaced state park and forest commission with environmental protection commissioner; P.A. 77-
614 replaced commissioner of state police with commissioner of public safety, effective January 1, 1979.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3445; 1951, June, 1955, S. 1863d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 182; P.A. 81-354, S. 2, 4.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state park and forest commission and its director with references to environmental protection commissioner, deleting obsolete references to director's office and his authority to make expenditures of
state or federal funds if approved by commission; P.A. 81-354 made state forester's position classified and described his
responsibilities.
See Sec. 12-96 et seq. re taxation of forested land.
See Secs. 23-65f to 23-65j, inclusive, re State Forester's duties re registration of loggers and foresters.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3446; 1949, 1951, June, 1955, S. 1864d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 183; P.A. 74-83, S. 1; P.A. 81-354, S. 1, 4;
P.A. 82-142; P.A. 84-82.)
History: 1971 act transferred power to administer statutes concerning forests from state forester to commissioner of
environmental protection, deleted references to supervisory duties of state park and forest commission and its director
with regard to actions for which state forester was formerly responsible under section and replaced reference to the commission with reference to environmental protection commissioner; P.A. 74-83 substituted "personnel" for "men"; P.A. 81-
354 required commissioner to charge no less than ten dollars per cord; P.A. 82-142 amended the section to expand land
available for forest resource management and sale of wood from state forests to state woodlands, defined "woodlands"
and authorized the commissioner of environmental protection to prepare forest management and protection plans without
a prior request where previously his actions were dependent upon request of state agencies and institutions or municipalities
if applicable; P.A. 84-82 extended the maximum duration of leases from two to twenty-five years and added a provision
requiring review by the state properties review board for leases of ten years or more.
See Sec. 12-107d re classification of land as forest land.
See Secs. 23-65f to 23-65j, inclusive, re commissioner's duties re registration of loggers and foresters.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3447; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 184; P.A. 79-603.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state forester with references to commissioner of environmental protection
and deleted obsolete provision requiring consent of state park and forest commission for purchase of land; P.A. 79-603
prohibited sale or exchange of land unless land of equal fair market value and equivalent usefulness is substituted for it.
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(1949 Rev., S. 3448; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 185.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to state forester with references to environmental protection commissioner and
deleted obsolete reference to required consent of state park and forest commission for acquisition of land.
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(b) The commissioner may provide tree seedlings at no cost to any elementary or
secondary school or conservation commission for the celebration of Arbor Day in accordance with any proclamation issued pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-29a.
(c) The commissioner may, when the space available in Connecticut state nurseries
for the raising of seedling stock is in excess of that needed for raising such stock for
use by Connecticut landowners, state agencies, municipalities or conservation organizations, enter into an agreement with any other state or the United States Forest Service
to raise seedling stock in Connecticut state nurseries for use by such states or service
for reforestation, farm windbreaks, wildlife management plantings or soil conservation
or other conservation purposes. When the needs of landowners in this state have been
met, the commissioner may: (1) Sell seedling stock to landowners, state agencies, municipalities or conservation organizations outside this state provided the state forester or
the equivalent official of the state where the seedlings are to be planted has granted
permission to do so; or (2) dispose of any excess of planting seed by sale to, or exchange
with, any other state forestry organization or the United States Forest Service. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the commissioner may sell such
seeds and seedlings at prices or on such terms that he deems appropriate and such prices
or terms may exceed the cost of the seeds or seedlings to the state of Connecticut.
(d) The commissioner shall require that each purchaser of seedlings, except for any
nonprofit conservation organization, sign an agreement stating that the seedlings will
be used for the aforementioned purposes and will not be resold at any time with roots
attached and he may take such other measures as he deems necessary to assure himself
that seedlings so purchased shall not be used for shade trees, landscaping or ornamental
plantings. Nonprofit conservation organizations may resell or otherwise distribute seedling stock purchased from the commissioner provided such resale or distribution is in
furtherance of the purposes of this section. The commissioner shall require that each
nonprofit conservation organization purchasing seedlings sign an agreement that the
seedlings will be resold, distributed or otherwise utilized in furtherance of such purposes
and he may take such other measures as he deems necessary to assure that seedlings so
purchased shall not be used for shade trees, landscaping or ornamental plantings.
(e) All receipts from the sale of such seeds, seedling stock, all reimbursements from
state agencies and all reimbursements for subsidies received from the federal government shall be deposited in the Conservation Fund established by section 22a-27h.
(1949 Rev., S. 3449; 1949, 1951, June, 1955, S. 1866d; February, 1965, P.A. 31, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 186; P.A. 73-
316, S. 1, 2; P.A. 84-64, S. 1, 2; P.A. 96-132, S. 4, 5.)
History: 1965 act authorized sale or exchange of excess planting stock or seed to or with, as the case may be, forestry
organizations or U.S. Forest Service; 1971 act replaced references to state forester with references to environmental protection commissioner; P.A. 73-316 authorized agreements with other states or U.S. Forest Service for use of excess space in
state nurseries to raise planting stock; P.A. 84-64 amended section by substituting "seedling" for "planting" stock and
adding provisions authorizing the sale of seedling stock for any conservation purpose and the provision of seedlings to
schools for Arbor Day, and to specify that seedlings shall not be used for shade trees or landscaping purposes; P.A. 96-
132 divided section into Subsecs., amended Subsec. (a) to authorize purchase of seed, amended Subsec. (b) to delete a
requirement that seedlings be planted on public lands, amended Subsec. (c) to add provisions re out-of-state sale of seedling
stock and price, amended Subsec. (d) to exempt nonprofit conservation organizations from certain requirements re purchase
of seedlings and to make alternative provisions and amended Subsec. (e) to provide that receipts be deposited into the
Conservation Fund, effective July 1, 1996.
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