Inland Wetlands and Watercourses
Resources and References
2002 Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion & Sediment Control
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection manual for soil erosion and sediment control. These guidelines are often referenced in municipal planning, zoning, and inland wetlands permit applications and/or regulations.
2004 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection manual on stormwater quality. This manual provides guidelines on the measures necessary to protect the waters of the State of Connecticut from the adverse impacts of post-construction stormwater runoff; and focuses on site planning, source control, and stormwater treatment practices. It is intended for use as a planning tool and design guidance document by the regulated and regulatory communities involved in stormwater quality management.
Agriculture, Forestry & Connecticut's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (Oct. 2016)
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection brochure discussing agriculture and forestry activities pursuant to the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.
Clarification of Wetland Soil Criteria for Human-Altered and Human-Transported Soils in Connecticut
(May 2015) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Connecticut Office, fact sheet produced in conjunction with the CT DEEP's Inland Wetlands Management Section. This fact sheet discusses human-altered and human-transported (HAHT/disturbed) soils and criteria for determining when such soils meet the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act definition of wetlands.
**This guidance replaces previous guidance developed in March 1982, revised September 2005, revised September 2011.
National Wetlands Inventory - NWI+
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the principal US Federal agency tasked with providing information to the public on the status and trends of our Nation's wetlands. The US FWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a publicly available resource that provides detailed information on the abundance, characteristics, and distribution of US wetlands. NWI data are used by natural resource managers, within the US FWS and throughout the Nation, to promote the understanding, conservation and restoration of wetlands.
Soil Scientist Qualifications
Fact sheet on what constitutes a "soil scientist" pursuant to the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.
Vernal Pools
Connecticut's municipal inland wetlands agencies have jurisdiction over regulated activities that are likely to impact or affect all vernal watercourses. Under Connecticut law, vernal pools, which contain a specific ecology, are one type of vernal watercourse. A variety of online resources exist which review vernal pool ecology, describe the animals that breed in and use vernal pools, provide materials to assist with field assessments and local mapping projects, and discuss other state and federal laws.
Wetlands of Connecticut (Metzler and Tiner, 1992)
Publication discussing Connecticut wetland formation, hydrology, and vegetation and plant communities.
Additional information is also available at Connecticut's Wetlands.
Content updated March 2, 2018