OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
SB-117
AN ACT CONCERNING TREE REMOVAL ON PROPERTIES UNDER
THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
AMENDMENT
LCO No.: 5017
File Copy No.: 347
Senate Calendar No.: 245
Primary Analyst: MR 4/20/22
Contributing Analyst(s): (PC)
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 23 $ FY 24 $
Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection
GF - Cost Potential
Significant
Potential
Significant
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The strike-all amendment establishes requirements that the
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) must
follow before removing or pruning certain trees in state parks and
campgrounds. Specifically, the amendment requires DEEP to consult
with an independent licensed arborist before authorizing the removal
or pruning of trees under certain conditions. If the arborist determines
that a tree is an immediate public hazard, DEEP may perform the tree
removal or trimming, under the bill's provisions. Lastly, the bill requires
DEEP to plant replacement trees in the park or campground after
removal.
The amendment could result in significant costs to DEEP to the extent
a high number of trees are identified for removal or pruning. It is 2022SB-00117-R00LCO05017-FNA.DOCX Page 2 of 2
estimated that the agency may need to hire seven maintainers, at a cost
of $432,156 in FY 23 and $417,755 in FY 24, including fringe benefits, to
replant trees, depending on the actual number required based on the
arborist determination. It could also cost DEEP over $1 million annually
for the cost of purchasing replacement trees, depending on the actual
number required.
The preceding Fiscal Impact statement is prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely
for the purposes of information, summarization and explanation and does not represent the intent of the General
Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of
informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is
consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any
specific department.