(a) In furtherance of and pursuant to sections 22a-1 and 22a-15, the General Assembly, recognizing the profound impact of man's activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, particularly the profound influence of population growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances, and recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man, declares that it is the continuing policy of the state government, in cooperation with federal and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Connecticut residents.
(b) In order to carry out the policy set forth in sections 22a-1a to 22a-1f, inclusive, it is the continuing responsibility of the state government to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to improve and coordinate state plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the state may: (1) Fulfill the responsibility of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations; (2) assure for all residents of the state safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; (3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences; (4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our Connecticut heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice; (5) achieve an ecological balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; (6) enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources; and (7) practice conservation in the use of energy, maximize the use of energy efficient systems and minimize the environmental impact of energy production and use.
(P.A. 73-562, S. 1, 8; P.A. 77-514, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 77-514 added Subsec. (b)(7) re energy conservation.
Cited. 184 C. 51; 204 C. 38; Id., 212.
Cited. 30 CA 204; 32 CA 341.
State's alleged failure to conduct an environmental impact evaluation prior to transfer is not a per se violation of statute that would grant plaintiffs standing under Sec. 22a-16. 51 CS 590.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 22a - Environmental Protection
Chapter 439 - Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. State Policy
Section 22a-1. - Policy of the state.
Section 22a-1a. - Declaration of policy: Coordination of state plans and programs.
Section 22a-1c. - Actions which may significantly affect the environment. Definition.
Section 22a-1e. - Review and determination by Office of Policy and Management.
Section 22a-1g. - Regulations.
Section 22a-1h. - Environmental impact evaluations.
Section 22a-1i. - Environmental contamination risk assessment by Department of Public Health.
Section 22a-2a. - Delegation of inspection and enforcement authority. Regulations.
Section 22a-2b. - “Criminal negligence” defined.
Section 22a-2c. - Office of Business Ombudsman.
Section 22a-3. - Divisions. Deputy commissioners.
Section 22a-4. - Agents, assistants, employees, consultants.
Section 22a-5. - Duties and powers of commissioner.
Section 22a-5a. - Orders. Authority of commissioner to investigate.
Section 22a-5b. - Special funds and accounts administered by the department. Report required.
Section 22a-5c. - Filing of orders on land records. Fifteen-year limit for certain orders.
Section 22a-6aa. - Permit extensions.
Section 22a-6b. - Imposition of civil penalties by the commissioner.
Section 22a-6bb. - Petition for public hearing. Withdrawal of petition.
Section 22a-6c. - Hearing on orders concerning solid waste.
Section 22a-6cc. - Consulting services program.
Section 22a-6d. - Payment of costs associated with hearing and transcript.
Section 22a-6dd. - Consent orders for remediation of land. Modification.
Section 22a-6e. - Imposition of civil penalties by the commissioner for water pollution violations.
Section 22a-6ee. - Ninety-day permit application final determinations.
Section 22a-6f. - Fees. Due dates. Late payments. Application. Waiver.
Section 22a-6ff. - Permit preapplication meetings.
Section 22a-6g. - Notice of application for permit. Exemptions.
Section 22a-6i. - Information re time frames for issuance of permits.
Section 22a-6j. - Renewal of permits.
Section 22a-6l. - Posting of public notice of permit applications.
Section 22a-6m. - Compliance history of permit applicants. Criminal history records checks.
Section 22a-6n. - Notice of commissioner's determination regarding certain regulated activities.
Section 22a-6o. - Transfer of licenses.
Section 22a-6p. - Time frames for issuance of permits. Regulations.
Section 22a-6q. - Alternative time frame for action on permit.
Section 22a-6s. - Minor violations of environmental protection laws.
Section 22a-6v. - Report on protected open space acquisition.
Section 22a-6w. - Notice to municipality of commissioner's enforcement action.
Section 22a-6x. - Office of Enforcement Policy and Coordination.
Section 22a-6y. - Exemplary environmental management systems.
Section 22a-7. - Cease and desist orders. Service. Hearings. Injunctions.
Section 22a-7a. - Bond on appeal from final decision.
Section 22a-8. - State-wide environmental plan. Advisory board. Annual conference.
Section 22a-8a. - Commissioner to inventory hazardous waste disposal sites.
Section 22a-9. - Commissioner as agent of state and political subdivisions.
Section 22a-10. - Payment of refunds.
Section 22a-11. - Council on Environmental Quality.
Section 22a-13. - Citizen complaints.
Section 22a-14. - Short title: Environmental Protection Act of 1971.
Section 22a-15. - Declaration of policy.
Section 22a-16. - Action for declaratory and equitable relief against unreasonable pollution.
Section 22a-17. - Defense. Appointment of master or referee.
Section 22a-18. - Powers of court.
Section 22a-19. - Administrative proceedings.
Section 22a-19a. - Historic structures and landmarks. When court costs assessed against plaintiff.
Section 22a-19b. - Exception for certain property listed on the state register of historic places.
Section 22a-20. - Procedure supplementary to other procedures. Intervening party.
Section 22a-21a. - State assistance related to recreation and park services.
Section 22a-21b. - Connecticut Conservation Corps.
Section 22a-21c. - Connecticut Service Corps: Definitions.
Section 22a-21d. - Connecticut Service Corps established. Project sponsors. Grants.
Section 22a-21e. - Grant application.
Section 22a-21f. - Rating system for grant applications.
Section 22a-21g. - Project eligibility; exceptions.
Section 22a-21h. - Annual reports by project sponsor and commissioner.
Section 22a-21i. - Grants for operating costs of Beardsley Zoological Gardens, Bridgeport.
Section 22a-21j. - School bus emissions reduction program.
Section 22a-21k. - School bus emissions reduction account.
Section 22a-22. (Formerly Sec. 22-7b). - Federal aid and agreements.
Section 22a-23. (Formerly Sec. 22-7c). - Federal funds to be held in separate account.
Section 22a-24. (Formerly Sec. 22-7d). - Powers additional to those under other statutes.
Section 22a-25. (Formerly Sec. 22-7e). - Acquisition of land and waters.
Section 22a-26a. - State-owned properties providing public access to Long Island Sound.
Section 22a-27e. - Litter control in parking areas.
Section 22a-27f. - Specifications of fuels. Report to commissioner.
Section 22a-27h. - Conservation Fund. Maintenance, repair and improvement account.
Section 22a-27i. - Fees. Exemption of municipalities.
Section 22a-27k. - Long Island Sound account.
Section 22a-27p. - Private funds authorized for renovation of historical structures on state land.
Section 22a-27q. - Hazard mitigation and floodplain management account.
Section 22a-27r. - Invasive species detection and control account.
Section 22a-27s. - Face of Connecticut Steering Committee: Membership, chairperson.
Section 22a-27t. - Face of Connecticut account.
Section 22a-27u. - Air emissions permit operating fee account.
Section 22a-27v. - Long Island Sound account. Habitat restoration matching subaccount.
Section 22a-27w. - Lease or other authorization to facilitate the preservation of lighthouses.