DNREC Natural Resources Police Launch tip411 Mobile App

Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has launched a new law enforcement app, enabling the public to connect with the department’s Natural Resources Police officers, receive alerts, and submit anonymous tips from their smartphones. “Technology is playing an ever-increasing role in the ways we communicate, and this new Natural Resources Police app…

Read More

Rifle & Pistol Range at Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center Reopens

The rifle and pistol range at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center reopens today.  The range has been closed while a damaged concrete floor was replaced, a new drainage system was installed along with a new block wall and entryway.  The days and hours for the range is being expanded for all shotgun, rifle, pistol…

Read More

No Wake Zone To Be Extended in Lewes-Rehoboth Canal

DNREC officials are extending the No Wake Zone in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal southward to the Rehoboth Bay.  The extended No Wake Zone will begin in the vicinity of Bay Vista Marina and extend to the Canal entrance jetties at Rehoboth Bay.   The extended No Wake Zone addresses public and navigation safety, increased boat usage and…

Read More

Groundbreaking for Slaughter Beach Marsh Boardwalk Project

Ground was broken last week for a saltmarsh boardwalk project at Slaughter Beach.  The Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve Boardwalk Project will enable visitors to walk out onto the saltmarsh to view and experience the ecosystem and its natural resources up close.  The Y-shaped boardwalk will provide access to a marsh pool at one end and a…

Read More

Several Hunting Seasons Beginning in Delaware

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that additional Delaware hunting seasons are opening this month, including expanded Sunday deer hunting opportunities. Sunday deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through the end of the deer season on Feb. 3, 2019, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective established deer hunting seasons. Please refer to the Department’s Sunday Hunting webpage for Sunday deer…

Read More

Repair Work at Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier begins October 9

dnred-fish-wildlife

Repair work will begin on the Cape Henlopen fishing pier beginning on October 9th.  DNREC officials say a pipe below the pier will be replaced – however the pier will remain open for the duration of the work, which is expected to take three days – weather permitting.  

Read More

Georgetown Fisherman Cited for over 600 Violations by DNREC

dnrec-truck-1

A commercial fisherman from Georgetown has been arrested following a DNREC investigation into illegal activity on the Delaware River.   Natural Resources Police have charged 40 year old Shawn Moore with over 600 shellfish and boating violations near Delaware City.  Moore pleaded not guilty to all charges in JP Court in New Castle.  He was released…

Read More

Coastal Cleanup is Saturday Morning in Delaware

Coastal Cleanup takes place Saturday morning on Delaware’s 97-mile eastern coastline.  There are more than 45 sites statewide that include river and ocean shorelines, wetland and watershed areas.  If you are a volunteer and have questions about your site – contact State Parks Statewide Zone Captain – Alison Romano, 302.900.1423 State Wildlife Areas Zone Captain…

Read More

Governor Signs Bill at Rehoboth Bandstand Protecting Delaware from Offshore Drilling

Governor John Carney joined state and local officials, tourism, marine, fishing, and environmental advocates at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand today to sign two pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Delaware’s coastline and coastal economy from offshore drilling. “An oil spill of some sort could negatively impact the fragile tidal wetlands and ocean beaches, and habitat…

Read More

Point at Cape Henlopen State Park to Reopen Saturday, Sept 1

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation today announced that the Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half mile along the bay shoreline, will reopen beginning Saturday, Sept. 1. The Point was closed on March 1 for the benefit of threatened and endangered beachnesters and migratory…

Read More

UPDATED: Water Quality Advisory LIFTED for Fenwick Island State Park Beach

UPDATED – Wednesday – 5pm – The swimming advisory has been lifted. For more information go to http://apps.dnrec.state.de.us/RecWater/ ================================================ A water quality advisory has been issued for Fenwick Island State Park Beach following bacterial results which were above the recreational water quality standard. The bacteria most likely originates from wildlife sources and increased rainfall or…

Read More

2nd Human Case of West Nile Virus Reported in DE

The second human case of West Nile Virus has been reported in Delaware.  Public Health officials say a 68 year old New Castle County man was hospitalized in July and remains in the hospital due to underlying health conditions unrelated to the virus.  A 60 year old Sussex County man was the first reported case…

Read More

Rehoboth Beach selected for DNREC Resilient Community Partnership

The City of Rehoboth Beach has been picked as the next partner for a program to plan for the impact of coastal climate hazards.  The Resilient Community program is sponsored by DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs Section and uses federal funding to help minimize the risks of those hazards. Rehoboth Beach joins several other communities and groups…

Read More

UPDATE: Prominent Bethesda Doctor Killed in Fenwick Island Jet-Ski Accident

UPDATE (6:15 p.m, July 30): DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police today identified the man killed in Saturday’s Jet-Ski accident off Little Assawoman Bay in Sussex County as Dr. Stephen Greenhouse, 53, of Bethesda, Md. Some details of his life have been posted on the Shady Grove Fertility website. Officials say that Dr. Greenhouse…

Read More

Cement Truck Overturns, Damages Route 24 West of Millsboro

A crash on Route 24 west of Millsboro resulted in a damaged roadway and a broken utility pole.  Delaware State Police say a cement truck overturned just after 6am near Saunders Road after the driver, 29 year old Jeff Gustin of Delmar, lost control and ended up in the ditch.  The truck slid into a…

Read More

West Nile Virus Found in Sussex County in 2 Dead Crows

The first detection of West Nile Virus has been found in Delaware – in Sussex County.  DNREC’s Mosquito Control officials say a crow found in late June in the southwestern part of the county tested positive for West Nile Virus by the Public Health Lab – and a second crow from Sussex found 4 days…

Read More

Code Orange Air Quality Action Day – Monday

Monday, July 9th is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware! Ozone levels have risen quickly over the weekend and weather conditions will be conducive on Monday for further formation of ozone due to full sun all day with light winds. Highest concentrations are expected in New Castle County. Similar conditions are expected…

Read More

Legislation on Offshore Drilling Passes in State Senate

de-state-senate

Legislation that will implement new restrictions on offshore drilling passed in the State Senate last week.  Senate Bill 207 would require state agencies to review offshore gas and oil exploration leases along Delaware’s coast to the extent permitted under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act – and all pertinent stat laws.  The measure also includes…

Read More

Monday a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day in DE

Monday will be a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware! Temperatures in the 90’s, mostly sunny skies and increased weekday emissions will result in Code Orange levels of ozone.  Increasing humidity will increase particle concentrations but they will remain in the Moderate range.  Extended Forecast: A “back door” cold front is expected to…

Read More

Twin Capes Ferry Now Part of Del-Jersey-Land Artificial Reef

The former Cape May-Lewes Ferry – the MV Twin Capes now has a new use as part of the Del-Jersey-Land Inshore Artificial Reef.  The ferry, which was one of the original three ships in the DRBA fleet, was sunk just before noon today/Friday and will expand and enhance fish habitat and deep-sea diving opportunities.  DNREC…

Read More

Nanticoke Wade-In Saturday at Trap Pond State Park

You’re invited to the Nanticoke Wade-In at Trap Pond State Park east of Laurel on Saturday.  DNREC will release the Nanticoke River’s 10-Year report card on the health of the river.  The wade-in is from 10 to 4pm – and there will be free programs for kids and adults, exhibitors – and the “sneaker index”…

Read More

UPDATED: DNREC Water Quality Advisories LIFTED for Broadkill & Slaughter Beach and Lewes Beach North & South

UPDATED – Wed 4:45PM – DNREC has lifted the water/swimming advisories for Broadkill and Slaughter Beaches and Lewes Beach North and South. All Sussex County areas are currently safe for swimming. ================================================ DNREC has issued Water Quality Advisories for Broadkill and Slaughter Beach and Lewes Beach North and South starting at 2pm Tuesday through 3pm…

Read More

Sen Lopez Introduces Bill Requiring DNREC Get Permission to Go on Private Property

de-state-senate

Legislation that would require DNREC to get the consent of property owners before collecting natural resource data on private property before doing so has been laid on the table and awaits further action.  Senate Bill 229 is sponsored by Senator Ernie Lopez.  For years DNREC has collected this data without property owners consent.  This measure…

Read More

DNREC & Mountaire Enter into Consent Decree Over Violations at Millsboro Plant

DNREC has filed a complaint in State Superior Court against Mountaire Farms.  The complaint requests civil penalties for the poultry company’s violations of its spray and land application permits at the Millsboro facility.  It calls for Mountaire to make short-term corrective measures, long-term system upgrades at the plant as well as environmental mitigation.  The complaint…

Read More

Ordnance Found Near Fort Miles at Cape Henlopen State Park

Three grenades from the World War II era were uncovered this week at Cape Henlopen State Park in an area near Fort Miles.  A visitor found one on Tuesday while Army Corps Engineers unearthed two more on Wednesday. The Division of Parks and Recreation says they could not determine if they were training items or…

Read More