CONSERVING CONNECTICUT'S NATURAL RESOURCES
Our History
At its inception in 1969, CT RC&D’s Environmental Review Team program was originally developed to respond to the overwhelming number of residential subdivisions that were being approved without adequate consideration of the natural resources. At the time, assistance was given to towns who lacked adequate staff to perform technical reviews and environmental impacts.
ERT Program Services
Today, an ERT review consists of a natural resources inventory report assembled with summaries written by a team of environmental professionals drawn together from a variety of federal, state, regional and local agencies, and private consultants. Team members vary for each review conducted based on the concerns and requests mentioned in the application.
How can the ERT help you?
The ERT review can provide information about:
The physical characteristics of the property
(geology, topography, soils, etc.)
The biological characteristics of the property
(wildlife, wetland functions, etc.)
Limitations and opportunities of the site
We offer a number of other services:
The ERT program provides support to towns and land trusts toward natural resource inventories of property, either owned or under review for open space acquisition. The final ERT report contains recommendations to help improve the site or project.
For those who are familiar with the ERT program prior to 2012, funding and availability of volunteer professionals was eliminated in 2012 and the ERT program went into a dormant period. In 2018, funding was partially restored through the Passport to Parks programs to provide assistance to towns with special projects. See our special projects or recent ERT reports as a guide to the type of services provided.
At this time, the ERT program does not have the professional volunteer resources or funding to provide ERT reviews as part of site plans, subdivisions or other land use applications submitted to towns. Please take time to review the town’s zoning or subdivision applications where reference to ERT review is noted in consultation with your land use attorney.
- soil testing, water testing or other laboratory services
- drainage calculations or detailed drainage plans
- soil erosion and sedimentation control plans
- wetland crossing plans
- septic system designs
- evaluation of private property under town review for permitting or for private residents
The Connecticut Environmental Review Team does not make final decisions for town officials or land owners, the reports are non-regulatory, advisory in nature, and public information. It is up to the requesting agency as to how they will use the information provided by the ERT.
CT Environmental Review Team
Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development
1066 Saybrook Road
PO BOX 70
Haddam, CT 06438
p: 860-345-3977