The Department of Inland Wetlands and Natural Resources serves to assist the Regulatory Inland Wetlands Commission and serves as a resource to other commissions and natural resource groups. While the department has no regulatory power over natural resources outside of that granted by the Wetlands and Watercourse Act, it serves as a resource for the general public to ask questions and provides guidance.
Natural Resource Management
- Coastal Area Management – Town Planning and Zoning and CT General Statutes §22a-90 - §22a-112
- Inland Wetlands and Watercourses – Inland Wetlands Agency
- Tidal Wetlands – State of Connecticut DEEP
- Town Trees – Tree Warden, Department of Public Works - you can report a service request here.
- Trees Near Utilities – Eversource; Tree trimming questions: TreeCT@eversource.com, Residential Customer Service: 800-286-2000, Business Customer Service: 888-783-6617
Environmental Projects and Research
- Branford Conservation and Environment Commission's Natural Resource Inventory
- The Branford Land Trust has the Osprey Program and assists with Project Limulus.
- The Nature Conservancy's Coastal Resilience Program assessed the entire CT coastline for salt marsh advancement areas. Check out this interactive mapping tool (zooms to CT) and the Branford Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Report.
- Status & Trends of Wetlands in the Long Island Sound Area: 130 Year Assessment report.
Links for Local Walking Trails
- Town Walking Trails page
- Branford Land Trust trail maps
- South Central CT Trail Maps (SCROG)
- Regional Water Authority Recreation page has information on their recreation areas and application for recreation permit
Recreational Shellfishing
If you are interested in recreational shellfishing visit the Clerk Office's Recreational Shellfishing page which in part contains this summarizing guide: Guide to Shellfishing Along the Coast of Connecticut.
The State and Natural Resource Protection
The State of Connecticut strives to protect its natural resources. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with protecting the State’s natural resources.
- If you are aware of a spill, find out more information on reporting here.
- Recycling is not only good for the environment - it is Connecticut state law to recycle
- Check out the Branford Department of Solid Waste and Recycling webpage for more information on recycling in Branford