Issue 1.1July 2013  
 A Newsletter for 
 Municipal Inland Wetlands Agencies 
   CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Inland Water Resources Division
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Welcome
Something New!
The DEEP's Wetlands Management Section is pleased to offer this e-newsletter tailored for municipal inland wetlands agencies.  The newsletter will allow the Wetlands Management Section to provide timely announcements, updated guidance, and share information.  This e-newsletter, funded partly through an EPA Wetlands Program Development Grant, will be produced and distributed in July, September, and November of 2013.  If it is a success the newsletter will continue through 2014. Initially the newsletter will be emailed to municipal inland wetlands staff.  We ask that staff please share the newsletter with commission members. To join our mailing list, or to unsubscribe from our list, please see the links at the bottom of this e-newsletter.




Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency Training
Changes for 2013
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The DEEP is delighted to announce that training for municipal inland wetlands agencies and staff will now be supported by the Center for Public Policy and Social Research (CPPSR) at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU).  CPPSR will provide a framework for participant registrations and will assist with program logistics.  For 2013, training will consist of a Comprehensive Training Program component and a Continuing Education component.
The Comprehensive Training Program is a multi-media, self-paced, on-line course offered through a CCSU website platform.  The course will be available from early July through December 1, 2013.  Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of program completion.  Further, completion of the Comprehensive Training Program fulfills the training requirement for duly authorized agents pursuant to CGS section 22a-42a(c)(2).  The DEEP provides a voucher to every municipal inland wetlands agency which allows one person to complete the Comprehensive Training Program at no cost.  It is strongly recommended that all new agency members and staff complete this course.    
The Continuing Education component will provide municipal inland wetlands agencies and staff the opportunity to complement their knowledge and training with continuing education workshops.  Of particular importance is the necessity to relay current legal and administrative information, such as court case opinions and amendments to the law. Workshops offered as continuing education will consist of annual legal and administrative updates; and technical, field oriented classes. At least one member of a municipal inland wetlands agency or staff should attend the annual legal and administrative update workshop to obtain current information.  
Registration and training information is available at CCSU's website:  www.ccsu.edu/cppsr/deep.




"Emergency" Permits
Can Municipal Inland Wetlands Agencies Issue Them?
The simple answer is "no".  Unfortunately there is no "emergency" permitting authority or process established in the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.  The permitting process must follow a statutorily established time line for issuing such permits.  This time line is lengthy and does not lend itself to issuing permits in a quick fashion.  However, options to handle emergencies do exist.  First, if the activity that needs to occur takes place outside of the wetland or watercourse the agency can delegate to its duly authorized agent the authority to approve or extend an activity provided the activity would result in no greater than a minimal impact on any wetland or watercourse.  In these situations duly authorized agents can issue permits "on the spot" to handle an emergency situation. Remember, such permits can only be issued for activities not located in wetlands or watercourses.
What about an emergency that directly impacts a wetland or watercourse?  The municipal inland wetlands agency can issue a "friendly" cease and correct order. The order process allows the agency to review and establish a record for such activity.  The order, for example, could state that an entity needs to stop maintaining an erosion condition (perhaps due to a storm event washing out a culvert) and to correct the situation immediately.  The order will allow the agency to condition the corrective activity and to allow for a timely resolution to the emergency condition. While the thought of receiving an enforcement order may seem daunting to some, the order process in this situation is not intended to be adversarial.  It is simply a quick process that enables the municipal inland wetlands agency to have a say as to how or what corrective action should take place. Once the emergency is addressed the agency can withdraw the order.
This subject was recently presented at the 2013 Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency Continuing Education Training: Legal and Administrative Updates workshops.  View the discussion outline provided during those workshops.  




Visit our... WetlandDrawing
Wetlands Website!
The Wetlands Management Section has, over the past few years, developed a website tailored for municipal inland wetlands agencies and interested citizens.  The website contains a citizen's guide, training information, regulation advisories, model regulations, guidance documents, and much more! Future website improvements will include a frequently asked question section and a website comment form.  Visit the website at: www.ct.gov/deep/inlandwetlands




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Update it Now!
Municipal Inland Wetlands Agencies please update your agency and/or staff contact information.  


  
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