Aquatic Invasive Species in Connecticut

Zebra mussels. Eurasian water milfoil. Curly-leaf pondweed. Phragmites. These and other aquatic invasive species are not uncommon in Connecticut. “About 60% of Connecticut lakes are home to at least one invasive species,” according to newstimes.com.

The General Assembly recently passed a provision in PA 14-217 (§ 248) establishing an aquatic invasive species management grant and prevention and education program, effective July 1, 2014. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will administer the program, under which DEEP may provide grants to municipalities for their aquatic invasive species management efforts. The grants can be for up to:

1. 75% of the cost of conducting an aquatic invasive species diagnostic feasibility study related to reducing an aquatic invasive species population in an inland water body or
2. 50% of the cost of conducting a restoration project in an inland water body by controlling and managing an aquatic invasive species population that exists there as of July 1, 2014.

According to newstimes.com, the legislature allocated $200,000 in its recently approved budget for the program. Under PA 14-217, at least 30% of the funds must be used for municipal grants. DEEP can use the remaining funds for (1) educating boaters on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, (2) conducting rapid responses to newly identified populations of aquatic invasive species, and (3) administering the program (but only up to 10% of the funds can be used for administration).

For more information on aquatic invasive species, see DEEP’s website.