Environment Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-117
AN ACT CONCERNING TREE REMOVAL ON PROPERTIES UNDER THE
CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Title: PROTECTION.
Vote Date: 3/18/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/25/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. David Michel, 146th Dist. Rep. John "Jack" Hennessy, 127th Dist.
Rep. Christine Palm, 36th Dist. Rep. Maria P. Horn, 64th Dist.
Rep. Michael S. Winkler, 56th Dist. Rep. Geraldo C. Reyes, 75th Dist.
Rep Lucy Dathan, 142nd Dist. Rep. David T. Wilson, 66th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
To address the concerns of local residents, environmental advocates and the sponsors of the
bill because of the extensive tree removals that took place at Housantonic Meadows State
Park in Sharon, Connecticut
JOINT SUBSTITURE LANGUAGE:
Removed certain arborist designation provisions for state parks, added requirement to plant
trees for trees removed and established thresholds for tree removal procedures to apply.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Katie Dykes, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection
DEEP appreciates the intent of the bill to improve transparency and establish standards for
the removal of hazard trees, they offer examples on unintended consequences and practical
implications of this bill for public safety, agency resources, and park accessibility. They would
welcome the opportunity to work with the Committee on this bill
To try an address some of the concerns.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Timothy Abbott, Regional Land Conservation Director, Housatonic Valley Association
They accept that DEEP's hazard tree identification program is well intendent, it is flawed
because it allowed 145 trees to be removed at Housatonic Meadows without proper agency
oversight or community input. The entire program needs to be reevaluated. Limit the
authority of park managers, limit the number of hazard tress that may be marks, Require
stakeholder consultation, establish a process to identify and protect "heritage trees", establish
a restoration plan, require a comprehensive management plan.
Peter Hern, Executive Director, State of Connecticut Council on Envionmental Quality
The Council is recommending that, in addition to posting notice on the trees and shrubs that
are scheduled to be removed, DEEP should utilize the existing CEPA process the requires
analysis, notice, public input and agency responses for its planned forestry and tree
management actions.
Lori Brown, Executive Director, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters
CTLCV wants public notice, better evaluation process, higher consideration of the
environmental and wildlife impacts, and detailed plans on the restoration of the impacted
areas.
Eric Hammerling, Executive Director, Connecticut Forest & Park Association
They support the raising of SB 117 that would assist with transparency and public process
related to addressing the assessment and potential removal of hazard trees in State Parks
and campgrounds. There are important questions being razed because of trees that were
removed at the Housatonic Meadows State Park.
Nathan Frohling, Director of External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy
That the proposed legislation is to provide an important mechanism for assuring
that trees and vegetation on DEEP properties are not cut or removed by the agency without
sufficient expert consultation and the opportunity for citizens to weigh in through standard due
process.
Robert LaFrance, Director of Policy, Audubon Connecticut, National Audubon Societyi
They wish to associate their testimony with recommendations of Connecticut Forest and Park
Association and the Connecticut Land Conservation Council. They agree that "the hazard
tree assessment process should be interdisciplinary, made by or under the direct guidance of
a licensed arborist and other professionals with relevant expertise. It should also include
an evaluation of options to mitigate potential hazards and preserve trees."
Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director, Connecticut Land Conservation Council
The requirements proposed in the bill would put in place a system to ensure that land
entrusted to the state for conservation and recreation will be protected for those purposes.
Also, they advocate for the increase in the budget for more staffing at DEEP so they have the
capacity to fulfill these requirements.
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Tree Warden from the Town of Kent
That DEEP and other State entities be required to conform to a statewide "Hazard Tree
Assessment" directive. That requires the individual to maintain CEU's specifically for this
qualification and relicensing every 5 years. They should require knowledge of integrated
ecosystems-based management practices.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Expressed
Reported by: Judith Ganswindt Date: March 25, 2022
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