Listening Sessions on Roadside Clearing to be Held on Monday, August 13

State Vegetation Management Task Force to Hold Two “Listening Sessions” for Public Input to the Task Force’s Findings and Draft Recommendations


The State Vegetation Management Task Force (Task Force) today announced that two listening sessions will be held on August 13 regarding the draft findings and recommendations of the Task Force. The first session will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm; the second will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. These listening sessions will be held in the Phoenix Auditorium at DEEP, 79 Elm Street, Hartford. The purpose of these listening sessions is to provide an opportunity for public input into the Task Force’s Final Report.

The Task Force is chaired by Eric Hammerling of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. Mr. Hammerling will present an overview of the Task Force process and the draft recommendations at the start of each listening session. Following the presentation, the public will be given ample time to provide commentary and suggestions.

The draft recommendations will be available on the DEEP forestry webpage on or before 5:00 PM on August 6. Information on the Task Force web page can be found by going to the forestry webpage and following this link at the top of the page. Information about the Task Force, membership and meeting summaries is included on this web page. Comments and suggestions will be accepted through August 14 via email at: DEEP.Forestry@ct.gov or via regular mail at:
State Vegetation Management Task Force c/o Division of Forestry Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT 06106

All comments must be emailed or postmarked by August 14, 2012.

The Task Force was convened by DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty at the recommendation of Governor Malloy’s Two Storm Panel, which in turn was formed in response to Tropical Storm Irene and the October Nor’easter. The final report of the Task Force is due at the end of August, on the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene.

The Task Force consists of twenty individuals, each selected by the DEEP Commissioner for their expertise in a field related to roadside trees. The Task Force has been assigned the responsibility of producing specific standards and guidelines regarding management of the trees along Connecticut's roadsides.

Free parking for the public is available after 3 pm at the State Office Building Lot on Capitol Avenue. For further information or more details, please call the DEEP Division of Forestry at 860-424-3630 or email the Division at the email address given previously.