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Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD)

Norwich office:

Eastern Connecticut Conservation District
238 West Town Street
Norwich, CT 06360
860-887-4163 x 400

Brooklyn office:

Eastern Connecticut Conservation District
139 Wolf Den Road Brooklyn, CT 06234
860-774-8397 x 3

 

 
You are here: Services

Assistance to Local Residents

The District receives a variety of requests for assistance from local residents. These include but are not limited to:

Wetland Delineations

Pond Management

Free or Inexpensive Environmental Workshops

In the last several months a sampling of the kinds of questions we have received and answered are:

  • Will it harm turtles if I move them off the road to another place?

  • Is this plant that I have brought you the dreaded Giant Hogweed?

  • How can I control grubs without using chemicals, and if I do use chemicals, which ones are safe?

  • How can I collect and analyze my soils for their fertility?

  • What can I do about the algae in my pond?

Feel free to call us. If we are not the experts we know who they are and we will get you in touch with them.

 

Assistance to Municipal Land Use Commissions

 
 
 
 
The District offers a comprehensive environmental review of development plans...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...erosion control and stormwater plan reviews...
 
 
 

 

 
...erosion control inspection and compliance training for town commissioners and training on natural resource topics.
 
 
Many of the towns in the Eastern Connecticut contribute to the District. Please call us! Our mission is to serve you!

 

Mapping

A Soils Map Overlaying an Aerial Image

The District produces a variety of maps in the course of evaluating sites. Our GIS capabilities allow us to produce soils maps, aerial overlays, and other graphics that aid in simplifying and visualizing data for land-use planning. Some examples are found on this page.

←This map shows the various soils types of this land area. Some soils indicate wetlands, feasibility for septic systems, agriculture, construction, etc.

Towns must increasingly work together and share resources to serve their citizens. This map shows shared boundaries of sub-watersheds between two towns. This map enables these two towns to coordinate strategies with regards to water quality.

Pond Management

We sell Barley Straw for your ponds.

Pond management is a comprehensive and continuous process as ponds over time return to their original state. These areas may once have been bogs, fens, or wetlands. Nutrient loading in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus hastens the natural process of the land returning to its former state. In the fight against entropy the District, and our partners, often recommend among other practices, natural buffers around your pond. We often point out the need to reduce nutrient loading, in the form of fertilizers and other sources, in order to lower your maintenance costs and improve the health of your pond.
Algae by G. Smith of the ECCD

Algae is a common problem found in ponds throughout Connecticut, especially as temperatures rise. There are many ways to respond to the algae growth. The District is currently experimenting with the natural use of Barley straw as an inhibitor of new algae growth. For more information click here.
Bladderwort Millfoil 'Pond weed'
 

An evaluation of the various species of plants in your pond gives us an understanding of how best to manage the pond. The three shown here are all native species that naturally inhabit local ponds and thus are treated differently than non-native invasives.

 

 

 

A number of different tests may be needed to evaluate the water quality of a pond or water body. These include testing for phosphorus and nitrogen. Evaluating the pH as well as the dissolved oxygen is often performed as part of overall water quality evaluations.

  

Watershed Management

Watersheds define the geography of the recently created five Conservation Districts of Connecticut. The Eastern District largely encompasses the Thames River watershed and the Pawcatuck watershed. Managing water resource programs on a watershed basis makes good sense -- environmentally, financially, and socially. The EPA offers a comprehensive analysis of watershed management at its website. The District focuses, along with its partners, on conservation goals with a watershed approach.

                   

The Thames River watershed includes a number of smaller basins:

               

The Thames River Basin now has a comprehensive group of devoted organizations working together to enhance the quality of the waters and the various uses of the waters in the Basin. You can learn more at the website of the Thames River Basin Partnership.

 

Wetland Delineations

Delineating a Wetland with Tree Markers
A Block Island Wetland Soil Pit for SSSSNE Training

We evaluate wetlands here in Connecticut by analyzing the soils. Water below, or above the surface, over time leaves distinct signs that are used to determine if the soil lies within a wetland. This image shows a soil profile. Of course, we will not dig a lot of big holes to make determinations! Our staff scientist, however, as a member of the SSSSNE, digs these holes with other members as part of their continuous training and development.

This page is still being updated. Please return soon for more.
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