Griffith Lake Boat Ramp Closed Due to Dam Safety Concerns

The Griffith Lake boat ramp and parking lot on Williamsville Road near Milford is to close effective immediately due to construction activities associated with dam safety concerns. Water flow problems at the Griffith Lake dam initiated the closure. Anglers who fish from a boat or shore from public fishing access areas at Griffith Lake can alternatively use…

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UPDATED: Water Quality Advisory LIFTED for Bethany Beach

UPDATED – 08/11/23 – 6pm – Swimming Advisory for Bethany Beach is cancelled as of 4:30 p.m. on 8/11/2023 ====================================================== A water quality advisory has been issued for Bethany Beach following indicator bacterial results which were above the recreational water quality standard. These bacteria most likely originate from wildlife sources. Increased rainfall, waves or wildlife feeding…

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DNREC and Kent Conservation District Offer Grants for Septic Tank Pump Outs

If you live in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Kent County, grants are available for homeowners who wish to have their residential septic tanks pumped out for routine maintenance.  Funding for the new grant initiative is made available by DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship through a Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant. For more information, interested homeowners may…

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Millsboro Wastewater Spill Closes Indian River Bay to Recreational Bivalve Shellfish Harvest for Much of August

An emergency closure has been put into effect for recreational clamming and mussel harvest in Indian River Bay until August 24th. DNREC’s mandatory closure protective of public health came after a pump station connected to the town of Millsboro’s sanitary sewer system failed yesterday (Wednesday), discharging raw sewage into the Iron Branch, a tributary of…

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2023 DE Coastal Cleanup Online Volunteer Registration Now Open

Online volunteer registration is now open for the upcoming 2023 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, which will take place on Saturday, September 23rd from 9 a.m. to noon. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) hosts the annual cleanup, which is now in its 36th year. The event will be held at 45 sites…

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Water Quality Advisory – Herring Point Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park

A water quality advisory has been issued for Herring Point Beach at Cape Henlopen State Park after bacterial results were above the recreational water quality standard. These bacteria most likely originate from wildlife sources and increased rainfall, waves or wildlife feeding near the surf (shorebirds, marine mammals or other warm blooded animals) can result in…

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Record Wild Turkey Harvest for Delaware’s 2023 Spring Hunting Season

Hunters in Delaware reported harvesting 785 wild turkeys during the month-long spring turkey season – which is 38% more than the total for the 2022 hunting season and a new all-time high harvest for the state, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). The total easily eclipsed Delaware’s previous record harvest…

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Several EV Bills Wait for Governor’s Signature; HB 123 Passes in House – Would Give General Assembly Role in EV Mandate Decision

While an Electric Vehicle mandate that would implement the California Advanced Clean Cars II protocols is still being considered by DNREC, several bills concerning Electric Vehicles were passed in the General Assembly – most in the last month of the session. House Bill 10 deals with the Electric School Bus program and House Bill 12…

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Saturday a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Pollution

Saturday is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter in Delaware as light to moderate southeasterly winds recirculate smoke from the Canadian wildfires into Delaware. Also high pressure, warm temperatures and partly sunny skies will aid in ozone development pushing air quality to levels unhealthy for sensitive groups for particulate matter and…

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Another Horseshoe Crab Rescue

DNREC has approved a scientific collection permit for the MERR Institute to help with another horseshoe crab rescue on Arnell Creek Friday afternoon. Volunteers are helping to collect crabs that have gone through a crossroad pipe under Old Landing Road and are stuck in the phragmites when the get in the marsh. The volunteers will…

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Downstate Mosquito Spraying – Sussex County

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application(s) during the evening hours on Monday, June 05, 2023: 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 Lincoln, Milton, and Lewes. For notification purposes, spraying will be done in the following spray…

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Recreational Trail-Cams on Public Lands now Banned in Delaware

DNREC and the Delaware Department of Agriculture have banned recreational trail cams in any state wildlife areas, state parks or state forests – effective immediately. The cams area mainly used by hunters during the state’s extended deer season – but this ONLY applies to cams used on state lands – not trail cams on private…

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EXPIRED: TODAY is the Deadline for Comments on Electric Vehicle Mandate

Commenting on the Electric Vehicle Sales Mandate will end at the close of business today. DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin is expected to rule on whether Delaware will use the ACCII standards adopted by California in 2022 by early summer of this year. Send your comments in written form by email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov or by using…

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Milford-Area Public Ponds to be Treated for Hydrilla

Next week, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will begin treating several public ponds in the Milford area for the invasive aquatic weed, hydrilla. This is a non-native plant that can choke ponds and other waterways – crowding out beneficial plant species as well as preventing fishing and boating access. The ponds to be treated…

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Hundreds Turn Out for EV Mandate Sales Meeting in Georgetown

A crowd of about 500 Sussex County residents and politicians gathered Monday night at Sussex Central High School in Georgetown to hear information on Delaware’s Electric Vehicle Sales mandate. This meeting was sponsored by the Delaware House & Senate Republicans. This mandate, which has been proposed by DNREC, would begin the phase out of gasoline…

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DNREC to Launch Drive-On Surf Fishing Reservation System, Tues, May 16

Beginning next Tuesday, DNREC will launch a drive-on surf fishing reservation system for Delaware State Parks. This pilot program is for Delaware State Parks drive on, multi-use beaches. Reservations are required during peak times during the summer. For annual and two-year surf fishing permits, reservations will be required weekends and holidays from 8am to 4pm…

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DNREC Provides Incentives to Homeowners and Landowners to Improve Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is giving Homeowners incentives for implementing best practices to improve water quality and create wildlife habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. DNREC recently introduced the two new conservation incentive programs, which are– the Delaware Community Conservation Assistance Program (DeCAP) and the Forest Buffer Incentive Program. The…

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