Firewood Lottery Applications Now Available: DEEP

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting applications for the annual state forest firewood lottery.

Applications will be accepted until February 1, 2016 with the results of the lottery posted on the DEEP Forestry website by March 18, 2016.

Standing trees and downed wood residual from storms and timber harvests will be sold to randomly chosen lottery winners via a permit in designated two-cord lots for $60 ($30/cord). These permits are issued late spring through October 2016 by DEEP Foresters, as gravel forest road conditions allow.

Applications may be downloaded and more information may be found at the DEEP Forestry‘s Web site: DEEP: State Lands Firewood Program or by calling 860-424-3630.

Firewood Program in State Forests

The annual firewood lottery offers Connecticut homeowners an opportunity to enjoy the state forests in a unique way by providing a renewable, affordable, and locally grown heating fuel source.

Firewood harvesting from state forests also helps achieve sustainable forestry and wildlife habitat management goals as well as offering a fun physical activity for families.

The removal of any firewood from a state forest requires a permit. In addition, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn while cutting wood.

The minimum requirements of PPE include a hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, and cut-resistant chaps or pants. Chainsaws have to be equipped with properly functioning safety devices including a chain brake.

Transporting Firewood

DEEP reminds residents not to move firewood long distances as this poses a risk of spreading harmful wood boring insects that can kill live trees. All of Connecticut is currently quarantined due to the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

This quarantine prohibits the transport of firewood from Connecticut to other states that are not quarantined for EAB. In addition, some states prohibit or regulate import of out-of-state firewood. DEEP recommends checking state firewood regulations by contacting respective state forestry agencies prior to transporting firewood over state lines.

Bringing firewood into Connecticut is a regulated activity and requires a permitted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

More information on Connecticut Firewood Regulations and the EAB quarantine may be found on the DEEP: Forestry website.

Photo by Muffet, via flickr creative commons