Code Orange Air Quality Action Day For Del. Tuesday

Today (Tuesday, May 31st) will be a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware.Sunshine, soaring temperatures and southwesterly winds are expected to combine to generate ozone production and additional pollutants.Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups such as young children, the elderly and people with heart and/or respiratory conditions. Such individuals…

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As More Visitors Arrives, Beach Communities Continue Response To Early May Nor’easter

Photo provided by the City of Rehoboth Beach; photo taken by Carolyn Brace

As Memorial Day approaches, finding solitude along some Delaware Beaches may be a bit more challenging.An early May nor’easter caused significant erosion in some communities. Crews have been working during the past few weeks to restore access ramps and pathways.According to Rehoboth Beach officials:By tomorrow (Friday) morning, three of the five closed dune crossings in…

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Saturday a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware

Saturday, May 21, will be an Ozone Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware! As upper-level high pressure moves east of the state, vertical mixing will be hindered, while partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-90s will enhance ozone development. In addition, light southwesterly winds will limit dispersion and transport thin-density smoke into the state, contributing…

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Update: Beach Access Points All Cleared In Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach access - photo courtesy of The Town of Bethany Beach

All access ramps to the beaches in Bethany Beach have reopened following the early May nor’easter, which was followed by days of coastal flooding.Town officials said Friday that crews have been working hard to make sure it’s safe to get onto the beach.The storm also caused substantial erosion, and DNREC crews have been assisting local…

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Bethany Officials Assess Storm Damage

Bethany Beach officials are investigating the damage from the Nor’ Easter and say the beach, dune and pedestrian crossovers are in poor condition just two weeks before the start of the summer season. DNREC is working with the town to restore the beach ramps as soon as possible. Currently only seven beach access ramps are…

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Concord Pond to be Treated for Hydrilla Beginning May 16

With inland water temperatures rising and aquatic plants emerging, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will treat Concord Pond near Seaford beginning May 16 for the nuisance aquatic weed hydrilla. Signs will be posted at the Concord Pond boat ramp the day of treatment, and will remain in place for a month to advise…

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Del. Extends Clean Vehicle Rebate Program

Delaware is extending its “clean vehicle rebate program” through the end of the year. According to the Department of Natural Resources, the program was originally scheduled to expire June 30th. DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin said electric vehicles are increasing in popularity, and the environment benefits continue due to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Since its inception…

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How Is Your Flood IQ? This Is Del. Flood Awareness Week

Delaware Flood Awareness Week is underway.The Department of Natural Resources and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency hope to educate citizens about the risk and the likelihood of flooding. Also, property owners should be well versed in the importance of a flood insurance policy and flood remediation for any property damage or loss caused by flooding.Governor…

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Lewes Approves Plan To Annex Donovan-Smith MHP

A section of the Donovan Smith Mobile Home Park off Savannah Road (photo provided by Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer)

Lewes is moving forward with a plan to annex the Donovan Smith Manufactured Home Park community, which clears the way for the community to be connected with the Lewes Board of Public Works water and sewer system. Residents there have been plagued by a failing water and sewer system for years.The Lewes Mayor and Council…

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DNREC Releases Report On Offshore Wind Power Opportunities, Challenges

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources released a report Thursday that explores the possibilities of the state entering the growing offshore wind industry, as well as challenges. The study was prepared by University of Delaware researchers and DNREC, according to Natural Resources Secretary Shawn Garvin. Garvin last year asked UD’s Special Initiative on Offshore Wind…

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Downstate Mosquito Spraying Sunday & Monday

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application for mosquito larvae located in flooded forested wetland habitats. This application could take place during the daylight hours on Sunday, April 3 and Monday, April 4, 2022, via helicopter (registration number N2268W and/or N862M) Application of Vectobac12AS (liquid BTI) to control mosquito larvae in the following areas: Near…

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Weekend Mosquito Spraying in Kent & Sussex Counties

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application for mosquito larvae located in flooded forested wetland habitats. This application could take place during the daylight hours on Saturday, March 26, Sunday, March 27, and Monday, March 28, 2022, via helicopter (registration number N2268W and/or N862M) Application of聽Vectobac12AS (liquid BTI) to control mosquito larvae聽in the…

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Sussex County Mosquito Spraying Begins Wednesday

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin annual spraying of spring woodland pools to control aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes on Wednesday, March 16, weather permitting. Spraying by DNREC鈥檚 Mosquito Control section will begin in southern Sussex County, then expand into Kent and New Castle counties over the next several weeks. Controlling early-season woodland pool larval…

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Del. Takes New Step To Reduce Auto Emissions

Delaware plans to adopt what’s known as California’s Zero Emission Vehicle regulations, according to Governor John Carney. Carney said Thursday that drivers who are looking to purchase an electric vehicle will find more options at Delaware dealerships. 13 other states have also adopted the policy. “By creating a better environment for the sale and purchase…

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Delaware Wild Birds

Cases of Eurasian H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) were detected in wild birds in Delaware in recent days,聽as the bird flu continues to spread in the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the Eurasian H5 strain of HPAI in eight wild ducks and a…

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PFAS Found In Untreated Well Water Across Del., Says USGS

Image courtesy of US Geological Survey

Contaminants known as PFAS have been found to be widely distributed in untreated well water in Delaware, with the highest number of types of chemicals in Sussex and New Castle Counties. The wells receive their groundwater from the Columbia aquifer, and samples found to contain the chemicals generally had low concentrations. Research is still going…

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Feb. Updates For Del. Hunters

February brings more hunting opportunities for hunters in Delaware. Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day is Saturday, February 5th and is open for hunters ages 10 through 15. Other hunting and trapping seasons also continue this month. Hunters should be aware of license requirements, The Department of Natural Resources provided these updates: Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day: The one-day,…

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Relief Help Available For Del. Fisheries-Related Businesses Impacted By Pandemic

Delaware’s fishery-related businesses that were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for relief funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act. According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources, commercial fishing businesses, shellfish aquaculture specialists, for-hire recreational fishing operations, seafood dealers and processors may qualify for funding. They must show a revenue decline of more…

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Del. Seeks Guidance For Use Of Clean Water Trust

Delawareans and businesses are invited to help identify ways the Delaware Clean Water Trust can support water quality improvement efforts. The Clean Water Trust oversees $50-million in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget as a funding source for water quality and water related projects. The Clean Water Trust Oversight Committee is hosting three virtual public information…

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DNREC Reopens Shellfish Harvest At Rehoboth Bay

A 21-day emergency shellfish harvest closure at Rehoboth Bay has been lifted (photo courtesy of Delaware Department of Natural Resources)

Commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting may resume in Rehoboth Bay following a three-week closure due to a sewer spill. According to The Delaware Department of Natural Resources, 21 days is deemed an abundance of caution to protect the public against pathogens of concern, including viruses, that could be associated with wastewater exposure. Untreated wastewater spilled…

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DNREC Virtual Public Meeting on White Creek Dredging Project

Join DNREC鈥檚 Shoreline and Waterway Management Section for a project overview and updates on the planned dredging of White Creek in Sussex County. WHEN: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Virtual (Click Here) The 2022 White Creek Dredging Project is in the engineering phase. Channel maintenance for White Creek, which connects Indian River…

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DNREC Solicits Requests for Proposals for Phase 4 of Settlement Mitigation Awards

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for investments of $3.4 million from the Environmental Mitigation Trust on projects that improve the state鈥檚 air by reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). A virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 15 to help organizations apply for the…

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