Sec. 23-65j. Forest practices. Regulations. Fees.
Sec. 23-65j. Forest practices. Regulations. Fees. (a) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, governing the conduct of forest practices including, but not limited to, the harvest
of commercial forest products and other such matters as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 23-65f to 23-65o, inclusive. Notice of intent
to adopt such regulations shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
chief elected official of each municipality concurrent with publication in the Connecticut
Law Journal. Such regulations shall provide for a comprehensive state-wide system of
laws and forest practices regulations which will achieve the following purposes and
policies: (1) Afford protection to and improvement of air and water quality; (2) afford
protection to forests from fire, insects, disease and other damaging agents; (3) afford
protection to and promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species regulated
pursuant to chapter 495; (4) encourage the harvesting of forest products in ways which
result in no net loss of site productivity and which respect aesthetic values; (5) assure
that forest practices are conducted in a safe manner; (6) provide a continuing supply of
forest products from a healthy, vigorous forest resource; (7) promote the sound, professionally guided, long-term management of forested lands and forest resources, considering both the goals of ownership held by the forest owner and the public interest; (8)
encourage the retention of healthy forest vegetation whenever possible as forested lands
are converted to nonforest uses or developed for recreational, residential or industrial
purposes; (9) provide the Commissioner of Environmental Protection with essential
data on pressures and influences on forest resources, state-wide and on the rate of loss
of forested lands. Prior to adopting such regulations, the commissioner shall prepare
a report assessing the costs to the regulated entities, the benefits to the state and the
environmental impacts of adopting such regulations. Such regulations may include, but
not be limited to: (A) Minimum standards for forest practices; (B) establishment of a
process by which harvests of commercial forest products from lands other than state-owned lands managed by the department shall be authorized; and (C) necessary administrative provisions.
(b) The commissioner may by regulation prescribe fees for the authorization of
harvests of commercial forest products from lands other than state-owned lands managed by the department. The fees collected in accordance with this section shall be
deposited directly in the Environmental Conservation Fund established pursuant to section 22a-27h.
(P.A. 86-257, S. 5, 6; P.A. 91-335, S. 5; P.A. 99-225, S. 25, 33.)
History: P.A. 86-257, S. 5 effective July 1, 1987; P.A. 91-335 entirely replaced section with provisions concerning
forest practices and related regulations; P.A. 99-225 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for a report re costs and benefits of
adopting regulations under this section, effective June 29, 1999.