OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
sSB-117
AN ACT CONCERNING TREE REMOVAL ON PROPERTIES UNDER
THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 5017)
Senate Calendar No.: 245
Primary Analyst: MR 4/21/22
Contributing Analyst(s):
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
This bill establishes standards and processes that the Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) must follow before
removing five or more trees per acre from state parks and campgrounds.
Specifically, it requires DEEP to consult with a licensed arborist who is
not employed by DEEP before authorizing their removal.
If the arborist determines that an identified tree is not an immediate
public hazard, DEEP must notify the public about the proposed tree
removal and hold a public hearing if anyone objects to it. If the tree is an
immediate public hazard, DEEP may move forward with the work after
consulting with the arborist.
Additionally, the bill requires the DEEP commissioner to use existing
resources to plant replacement trees in the park or campground after a
tree removal. 2022SB-00117-R01-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 2
The bill could result in significant costs to DEEP to the extent a high
number of trees are identified for removal or pruning. It is 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.
Senate "A" replaces the original bill with similar provisions resulting
in the impact described above.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact described above would
continue into the future subject to inflation.
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.