Below (and also attached) is the notice of Intent to Amend Inland Sport Fishing Regulations (Public hearing is 6:30 pm, May 19 at DEEP Headquarters in Hartford, public comments can be submitted through June 3):

Notice of Intent to Amend Regulations
and Notice of Public Hearing

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, pursuant to Sections 4-168(a) and 22a-6 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, hereby gives notice of his intention to amend sections 26-55-1(i), 26-112-43, 26-112-44, 26-112-45, 26-112-46(a), 26-112-46(c), 26-112-46(d), 26-112-46(g), 26-112-46(h), 26-112-46(k) and 26-112-48 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. These regulations will be adopted under authority of Sections 26-55, and 26-112 of the General Statutes.

The proposed amendments to the regulations will 1) revise triploid (sterile) grass carp (used to manage nuisance aquatic plant growth) permitting procedures to improve the application process for water bodies under multiple ownership; 2) increase the number of lines allowed for angling in inland waters from two to three lines; 3) move the date of “Opening Day” of trout season one week earlier, from the current third Saturday in April to the second Saturday in April, 4) remove the closed season from three areas (Batterson Park Pond, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Yantic River below falls at Indian Leap), and establish a closed season for one water body (Scoville Reservoir), 5) removes twenty-three areas from the lists of children’s fishing areas; 6) increase the minimum length to 9 inches and reduce the creel limit for American eel and limit harvest of American shad to the Connecticut River system to comply with provisions of interstate fishery management plans of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC); 7) update regulations for several other species (reduces creel limit for Kokanee salmon, allows fishing for bowfin and tench and defines methods of fishing for them, and explicitly prohibits taking of state-endangered brook lamprey) to better reflect current status of their populations; 8) refine existing regulations concerning thermal refuges intended to protect trout seeking cool water refuge at tributaries to major rivers and establish a thermal refuge at a site on the lower Salmon River that serves as a cool water refuge for several species including trout, salmon and northern pike; 9) remove special regulations for brown trout and extend the fishing season at East Twin Lake (Salisbury) to be consistent with the other designated Trout Management Lakes; 10) designate additional portions of the Tankerhoosen River and its tributaries in Vernon as a Class 1 Wild Trout Management Area; and 11) allow the use of boats and electric motors on Hewitt Pond (North Stonington). There are also several minor conforming and technical adjustments.

The proposed regulations and statement of purpose can be found attached to this notice. Copies of the proposed regulations, statement of purpose, small business impact statement and a fiscal note indicating no additional expense to the state or municipal governments to implement these proposed regulations are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Natural Resources, Inland Fisheries Division, 6th Floor, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT, 06106-5127. A link to the proposed regulations is available on the Department’s website at http://www.ct.gov/deep/publicnotices. These documents can also be obtained by contacting Bill Foreman at the above address, by phone at (860) 424-3474, or by email (deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov).

One public hearing has been scheduled to obtain public comment to determine whether to adopt the proposed regulations or to adjust the measures. All interested persons are invited to express their views on the proposed regulations at the following public hearing:

Date: May 19, 2014

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Phoenix Auditorium

79 Elm Street

Hartford, Connecticut 06106

Interested persons may also choose to present their views regarding the proposed regulations in writing. Written comments should be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on June 3, 2014 to Bill Foreman at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT, 06106-5127. Comments may be submitted by post, facsimile to 860-424-4070 or by electronic mail to william.foreman@ct.gov. Based on public comment, the proposed regulations may be adjusted to meet the objective of the proposal.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.