Municipal Officials NPS Resources

Land Use Officials Resources

Protecting Water Quality Through Local Land Use Decisions

Local land use decisions play an important role in protecting streams, rivers, groundwater, and drinking water supplies. Understanding nonpoint source pollution and how development and land management can affect water quality can help communities make informed decisions that protect watershed resources.

Explore the resources below and download our Nonpoint Source Pollution: As a Land Use Commissioner, What Do I Need to Know? brochure to get started.

DPH Watershed Map Viewer

https://maps.ct.gov/portal/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=e942130a2a9f485ab03d8f79d76abb6e

Septic System Education – ECCD

https://conservect.org/eastern/septic-systems-and-water-quality/

Forestry Education – UConn Forestry Toolbox

https://ctforestry.cahnr.uconn.edu/toolbox/

Low Impact Development – UConn NEMO

https://nemo.uconn.edu/watershed-protection-strategies/low-impact-development/

Environmentally Sensitive Land Use Practices – EPA

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/region3_factsheet_lid_esd.pdf

Aquifer Protection Area Program – CT DEEP

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Aquifer-Protection-and-Groundwater/Aquifer-Protection/Aquifer-Protection-Program

Sustainable CT

https://sustainablect.org/

Town Regulatory Land Use Volunteer Training – UConn CLEAR Land Use Academy

https://clear.uconn.edu/lua/

Hazard Mitigation Planning – CT State Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

https://portal.ct.gov/demhs/emergency-management/resources-for-officials/hazard-mitigation-and-resiliency/hazard-mitigation-and-resiliency/2023-state-natural-hazard-mitigation-plan-update?language=en_US

Free Online Education – EPA Watershed Academy

https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/online-training-watershed-management

Streets & Roads Planning – EPA Green Streets

https://www.epa.gov/G3/learn-about-green-streets

Development Checklists – Town of Mansfield Low Impact Development Checklist

https://www.mansfieldct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35305/Low-Impact-Development-Checklist—Fillable-PDF

Promote Cold Water Stream Protection – CT DEEP

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/coastal-resources/ColdwaterStreamsMitigation5_10_2021.pdf

MS4 Permit Education – Eastern Connecticut Stormwater Collaborative

https://conservect.org/eastern/eastern-connecticut-stormwater-collaborative/tools/

Promote Infiltration Techniques – Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual

https://ctstormwatermanual.nemo.uconn.edu/chapter-10-general-design-guidance-for-stormwater-infiltration-systems/

Nonpoint Source Pollution – EPA

https://www.epa.gov/nps

UConn CLEAR – Center for Land Use Education and Research

https://clear.uconn.edu/lua/

Windham Water Works

https://www.windhamct.gov/498/Watershed