Centennial State Forest
Centennial State Forest aka Centennial Watershed State Forest covers 15,300 acres of land which are heavily forested with miles of pristine streams, upland ridges, and reservoir shorefront. In 2002, the State, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, acquired ownership from Aquarion Water Company of roughly 6,000 acres and also the conservation and public access easements on an additional 9,000 acres. The name Centennial Watershed was chosen to honor the 100-year anniversary of Connecticut's State Forest System and to recognize that one of the main purposes of the land is to protect drinking water supplies. About 90% of the land is in Fairfield County, with the rest in Litchfield, New Haven, and Hartford Counties. Management of this Forest is through a Committee consisting of representatives of Aquarion Water Company, DEP, and The Nature Conservancy.
This State Forest is unique in that, as it is water supply land, it is regulated by the State Department of Public Health (DPH). Recreational activities traditionally found on other State Forests, such as hiking, fishing, and hunting, must receive permits from the DPH.
The State Forest also has a Deer Management Program allowing public hunting by either archery or shotgun in certain designated areas, in order to prevent erosion of watershed by excessive deer browsing, to recieve an access permit please contact Aquarion Water Companys Aspetuck Environmental Center.
