DNREC to Lift Advisory on Use of Bird Feeders and Baths

Occurrences of a mysterious songbird illness and mortality event have decreased in the state to the extent that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ControlĀ has lifted an advisory issued in June asking that the public temporarily discontinue use of bird feeders and baths. The advisory was initially issued as a precaution to minimize…

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Bundicks Branch Flood Risk Map Revised

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources is revising the flood risk map in the area of Bundicks Branch west of Lewes. According to DNREC, the effort is part of its Division of Watershed Stewardship partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to improve accuracy of flood maps statewide. FEMA flood risk maps are ultimately used…

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Del. Water Quality Projects Could Qualify For Grants

New water quality projects in Delaware could be eligible for funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The Department of Natural Resources and Delaware Public Health are starting to develop a priority list for 2021. Eligible projects could involve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, land conservation and…

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Happy Trails: 2 Local Pathways Up For Hall-of-Fame

The Georgetown-to-Lewes Trail and Junction-and-Breakwater Pathway are up for consideration to join the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame. Voting is underway for the honor, and is open through next Friday August 6th. You may vote as often as you wish. To cast a vote, please CLICK HERE The Conservancy has been honoring rail-trails across the…

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DNREC Grant Program Funds Community Water Projects

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources is accepting grant applications for community water project proposals. DNREC Community Water Quality Improvement Matching Grants are available to non-profits, conservation districts, homeowners’ associations and community organizations. Various projects could qualify, including enhancement or restoration of water quality within an impaired watershed, or stormwater management and pollution control strategies.…

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West Nile Detected In Sentinel Chickens

For the first time this year, West Nile Virus has turned up in sentinel chickens monitored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources. This discovery involved a group at a sentinel chicken station in northern New Castle County, one of about 20 monitoring stations statewide. According to DNREC, there have been no reported cases of…

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DNREC Plans Info Session On White Creek Dredge Plan

dredge file photo, courtesy of DNREC

White Creek is due for maintenance dredging. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources is hosting a virtual information session next week to share details about the project. White Creek, which connects Indian River Bay to the Assawoman Canal and ultimately Little Assawoman Bay, has been affected by shoaling, which in turn impacts navigation. According to…

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Councilman To DNREC: Pick Up The Pace At Lewes MHP

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

12 days after the Delaware Department of Natural Resources issued a Notice of Violation against the Donovan Smith Mobile Home Park off Savannah Road, a pre-dawn visit Tuesday did nothing to impress Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer. Schaeffer told WGMD News that as of early Tuesday, areas of the community where sewage had bubbled to…

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Lewes Mobile Home Park Hit With Notice-of-Violation

The Donovan Smith Mobile Home Park LLC of Lewes received a Notice of Violation from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Thursday for continuing violations of state laws that govern wastewater treatment and disposal systems. According to DNREC, the community’s onsite wastewater treatment system was found to be out of compliance, posing…

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Del. Air Quality Alert Wed.

Delaware is under a code orange air quality alert today (Wednesday) for unhealthy levels of ozone. Humid air, plenty of sunlight, pollutants and lingering smoke from Canadian wildfires will all enhance ozone development. Levels may become unhealthy for people in the sensitive groups category such as young children, the elderly, and those with heart and/or…

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What Is Happening To The Birds?

Photo Credit: National Parks Service photographer Leslie Frattaroli

Scientists and wildlife experts are investigating why songbirds are becoming sick or dying or in some cases appearing to fly erratically or stumble. According to the Department of Natural Resources, similar incidents have been reported in at least six states. Most affected have been European starlings, blue jays and common grackles and the disorder has…

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Downstate Mosquito Spraying Tonight in Areas of Kent & Sussex Counties

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application(s) during the evening hours on Tuesday, June 29, 2021: Application of Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin/PBO) with a truck-mounted sprayer to control adult mosquitoes in the following areas: In and near Greenwood and Seaford. Near Selbyville, Frankford, Ocean View, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Lewes, Bridgeville, Harrington, Camden, and Magnolia. For notification…

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Downstate Mosquito Spraying: Milford, Harrington, Greenwood, Milton, Lincoln

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application(s) during the evening hours onĀ Monday, June 21, 2021: Application of Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin/PBO) with a truck-mounted sprayer to control adult mosquitoes in the following areas: In and near Milford and Near Harrington, Greenwood, Milton, and Lincoln. For notification purposes, spraying will be done in the following…

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Lewes Hosts Environmental Listening Sessions

The City of Lewes invites the public to take part in two additional environmental listening sessions. Lewes is working with the Resilient Community Partnership, established and administered by DNREC Delaware Coastal Programs, to identify environmental challenges that may impact the future of the coastal community. The second of three sessions is tonight (Wednesday June 9th)…

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DNREC Plans Evening Mosquito Spraying in Sussex & Kent Counties

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application(s) during the evening hours on Monday, June 07, 2021: Application of Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin/PBO) with a truck-mounted sprayer to control adult mosquitoes in the following areas: In and near Delmar, Georgetown, and Harrington. Near Millsboro, Laurel, Lewes, Milton, Lincoln, Milford, Felton, and Magnolia. For notification purposes, spraying…

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Fishing Permits Are For Fishing, Not Beach Outings

Photo courtesy of DNREC / Cape Henlopen State Park

A fishing permit does not mean a party permit on Delaware State Parks beaches… DNREC Natural Resources Police conducted a surf fishing enforcement event over the weekend at Cape Henlopen State Park, issuing citations for people who parked on the beach but were not actively engaged in surf fishing. Some people also received warnings for…

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Off-peak Beach Fishing Permits Available This Week

Photo courtesy of DNREC - Fishing at Cape Henlopen State Park

Special surf fishing permits will be available starting this week that will allow more anglers to drive up and fish from state park beaches. Available surf fishing tags went very quickly several weeks ago. Now, DNREC plans to introduce an off-peak permit that will allow fishing Mondays through Fridays, June 1st through September 3rd. After…

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4 Ponds To Be Treated For Invasive Weed

Several public ponds will be treated for an invasive aquatic weed, hydrilla. The Department of Natural Resources said it will use Sonar, an herbicide containing fluridone, to treat Millsboro Pond, Wagamons Pond in Milton and Tub Mill Pond and Abbotts Mill Pond near Milford. Sonar is registered and approved for use by the U.S. Environmental…

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DNREC: Rescued Wild Animals Are Not Good Pets

Young wild animals that appear to be in distress may inspire the desire to rescue the animal, but the Delaware Department of Natural Resources said it’s important to resist the urge. Animals that seem to be abandoned are often being watched with their mothers nearby. Wild animals can be dangerous and could bite or attack.…

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Downstate Mosquito Spraying Tuesday Evening

A message from DNREC-MOSQUITO CONTROL Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application(s) during the evening hours on Tuesday, May 11, 2021: Application of Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin/PBO) with a truck-mounted sprayer to control adult mosquitoes in the following areas: In and near Selbyville, Camden, and Georgetown. Near Marydel, Felton, Harrington, Bridgeville, Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Millsboro,…

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DNREC Orders Allen Harim to Take Action Protective of Human Health at Millsboro & Harbeson Facilities

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced the signing of a conciliation order today with Allen Harim Foods, LLC that requires the company to take actions protective of human health and the environment at its Millsboro and Harbeson facilities.  According to the order, Allen Harim is required to perform wastewater reduction actions;…

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Bags Into Benches: Plastic Bags Recycled

Unused plastic bags in Delaware are being put to use. A non-profit organization, Eco Plastic Products of Delaware, accepted DNREC’s excess plastic bags when state parks converted carry-in carry-out bags to corn and paper products last year. About 2,000 pounds of bags, in the area of 450,000, will be made into 15 benches that will…

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