HARTFORD — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) this week imposed a temporary alcohol ban for multiple state recreation areas. This ban went into effect Tuesday, August 18, and will remain in effect through Sunday, November 15.

The Upper and Lower Paugussett State Forest in Newtown and Sandy Hook, respectively, is on the list of areas where alcohol is not to be carried in or consumed. The Paugussett was erroneously listed as part of George Waldo State Park in Southbury when the announcement was made on Tuesday. A CT DEEP spokesperson confirmed with The Newtown Bee on Wednesday that the Paugussett is in fact under the ban.

Additional locations include George Waldo State Park, Gardner Lake State Park, and State Boat Launch in Salem; Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown/Middlefield; Lake Waramaug State Park in New Preston; Quaddick State Park in Thompson; and Pattaconk Recreation Area (Cockaponset State Forest) in Chester.

Other areas include Beach Pond Boat Launch, Voluntown, including a portion of Pachaug State Forest, bordered by Beach Pond Boat Launch to the west, private property, held in trust, to the east, and Beach Pond to the south, to an area 500 yards from shore;

Billings Lake Boat Launch, North Stonington, including a portion of Pachaug State Forest, bordered by the Billings Lake Boat Launch to the east, private property to the west, north along the private property, then west to private property, then south to the shore of Billings Lake and east along the shore to the Billings Lake Boat Launch;

Naugatuck State Forest, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Beacon Falls, to include the areas commonly known as Seymour Reservoirs #1, # 2, #3, and #4 and the lands immediately surrounding the reservoirs; and

A section of Rocky Neck State Park, including the area south of the train tracks, west of the beach area, and bound by Long Island Sound to the south and western border of the park, not including the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion.

Seasonal alcohol bans were enacted at these locations May 20 through August 17 due to increased crowding and alcohol consumption, which have contributed to misconduct, unruly behavior, property damage, trespassing, and complaints from visitors and surrounding communities. This week’s action re-issues the bans through November 15.

Acting DEEP Commissioner Amma Cimino said Connecticut’s state parks, forests, and boat launches “are places where all of our residents should feel welcome, safe, and able to enjoy the outdoors.

“These temporary alcohol bans support DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police and State Parks staff in maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all visitors,” she added.