Candlewood Lake Authoriy Scores Grant To Combat Invasive Species

BROOKFIELD, CT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has named the Candlewood Lake Authority among the awardees in the fifth annual round of funding through the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program.

The CLA has scored $27,554 to be used on its outreach and education project, "Candlewood Lake Steward Program to Educate Boaters on Aquatic Invasives Threatening Candlewood Lake."

The grant is part of $400,000 going to 12 projects statewide that will reduce the impacts of aquatic invasive species on inland waters in Connecticut, according to DEEP.

The agency received a total of 29 project proposals for this year’s highly competitive grant round, with funding requests totaling more than $1.1 million. Grants were awarded based on criteria established by the AIS Grant Oversight Review Committee, which is composed of DEEP staff from various parts of the agency as well as external representatives from the Connecticut Federation of Lakes and Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.

The AIS Grant Program is a major component of DEEP’s strategy to combat the threat of aquatic invasive species. This program funds projects proposed by municipalities, state agencies, and non-profit organizations to address the impacts of AIS on inland waterbodies in Connecticut. DEEP has previously awarded approximately $1.5 million to 59 projects during the first four years of the AIS Grant Program.

Candlewood Lake is under direct threat of many new invasive species entering its waters and establishing themselves, according to the CLA website. . The biggest threat right now is zebra mussels, which have infected many lakes nationwide, and inhabit the waters of the Housatonic River, Lakes Zoar and Lillinonah, Lake Housatonic, the Twin Lakes, the Hudson River, Lake George, and Lake Champlain.

"Aquatic invasive species are a serious threat to Connecticut’s freshwater ecosystems and the state’s outdoor recreation economy, of which boating and fishing are the largest contributors," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "The projects funded by the 2025 AIS Grant Program will amplify the efforts of the coalition of state and federal agencies, municipalities, non-profits, universities, lake associations, and concerned citizens working together to protect our state’s waterways from aquatic invasive species."