Some Public Open Burning Allowed in DE Through the End of April

Delaware’s open burning ban will go into effect on May First – through September 30. This is ozone season, however right now, DNREC says that public open burning of materials – like tree limbs, brush and branches is allowed through April 30. However it is illegal to burn leaves, grass, trash, garbage and refuse –…

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Volunteer Registration Open for Concord Pond Cleanup

DNREC is looking for volunteers to help cleanup at Concord Pond in Seaford. The cleanup is set for Saturday, April 15 from 10am to noon and is part of the month-long celebration this month of Earth Day 2023. Volunteers will not only remove trash, but will get guidance on how to identify and remove invasive…

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Deadline End of April for Community Water Project Proposals

DNREC encourages Delaware non-profit organizations, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowners’ associations to submit water project proposals. The project proposals would then be considered for matching grants funds from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program. DNREC expects the grant award projects in this cycle to range from $25,000 to $75,000. Community Water Quality Improvement…

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DNREC Expected to Begin Mosquito Spraying this Week

Mosquito spraying is expected to begin on Wednesday! DNREC will begin spraying the spring woodland pools to control aquatic immature mosquitoes – weather permitting. Spraying will begin in Sussex County – then move to Kent and New Castle Counties over the next several weeks. This spraying helps to limit the emergence of biting adult mosquitoes…

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Pat Emory to Take Over as Director of DNREC Fish and Wildlife

Pat Emory has been named the new Director for DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. Emory has served his entire career with DNREC – most recently as Director of the Division of Community Affairs. He steps into the seat held by former Director David Saveikis, who has retired after 40 years with DNREC and Director…

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Tidbury & Newton Ponds Closed for Fishing until March 4th

Beginning February 18th – through March 3rd – Tidbury Pond near Dover and Newton Pond near Greenwood are closed to fishing. During this time the ponds will be stocked for the start of the downstate pond trout season. There will be youth fishing on Saturday, March 4th for anglers under the age of 15. Then…

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DE Downstate Pond Trout Season Starts March 4 & 5

Downstate pond trout season begins in Delaware just before sunrise on Sunday, March 5. However for youth anglers under the age of 15 – their season begins at 7am on Saturday, March 4th. Tidbury Pond near Dover and Newton Pond near Greenwood will be stocked and open for trout fishing – pending pond ice conditions…

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DNREC Awards Indian River Marina Restaurant Contract

DNREC has awarded a contract to operate the restaurant at the Indian River Marina to Big Fish Restaurant Group. The previous 10-year contract will expire at the end of this month. DNREC officials received two responsive proposals. The new contract is for a 10-year term and the existing restaurant space at the marina will be…

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DNREC Appoints Dr. Katera Moore as State’s First Environmental Justice Coordinator; Announces New Environmental Justice Webpage

DNREC has announced a change in the leadership structure. Dr. Katera Moore is the agency’s and the state’s first environmental justice coordinator. Dr. Moore will join DNREC’s Office of Secretary to work with the state’s underserved communities. Additional Information from DNREC: Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today announced a new appointment to the Delaware Department of Natural…

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Saturday is Last Day to Recycle Christmas Trees in DE

Saturday is the final day that Delaware residents can drop their real Christmas trees off to be recycled. DNREC officials remind you to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel – and fake snow – and remove the tree stand. Most Sussex County drop off sites are still accepting Christmas trees – however not all are…

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DNREC Funds New Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Stations

Electric vehicle drivers will have more opportunities to charge up along Delaware roads thanks to grants awarded to several businesses and one Delaware municipality. DNREC is funding the 14 new electric vehicle fast charging stations. Users will be able to access the chargers 24 hours a day and pay a fee for powering their vehicles.…

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Delmarva Fox Squirrel Recovery and Species Restoration in Sussex County

During 2022, Delmarva fox squirrels have been relocated to 3 new home areas in Sussex County – Assawoman Wildlife Area, Redden State Forest and Trap Pond State Park. Two other areas with Delmarva fox squirrel populations are Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and the Nanticoke Wildlife Area. DNREC began translocating Delmarva fox squirrels captured from…

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DE Piping Plovers See Modest Nesting Success in 2022

DNREC officials say this past summer’s piping plovers had a modest nesting season in Delaware. Officials recorded 7 pairs at The Point at Cape Henlopen and 17 additional nesting pairs were documented at Fowler Beach on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge – a total of 24 nesting pairs. That’s the same number recorded in 2021…

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DNREC Issues Notice of Violation to Owner of Pine Haven Campground Community

The deplorable water conditions and wastewater issues were brought before the Sussex County Council during last week’s meeting by members of the the Pine Haven Campground community. Now DNREC has sent a notice of violation to the owners of the property. A month-long investigation into reports of illegal wastewater discharge at the Pine Haven Campground…

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Delaware’s Council on Shell Fisheries to hold Hybrid Meeting

Delaware’s Council on Shell Fisheries will hold a hybrid (in-person and virtual) meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 9. The Council will discuss various shellfish management issues, including oysters, blue crabs, and horseshoe crabs, and other shellfish topics. The in-person meeting, which you must register for if you plan to attend, will be held…

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DNREC, DPH Now Accepting Wastewater, Surface Water and Drinking Water Planning Grant Proposals

Delaware government agencies, county and municipal governments, and conservation districts can now submit proposals to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Division of Public Health to receive matching grants for wastewater, surface water and drinking water project planning. You must send your proposal by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.…

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DNREC Announces Closure of Fishing Pier in Laurel

The Records Pond fishing pier in Laurel is now closed for public safety. In order to address the warping of the pier’s decking, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will manage a new public boat ramp project. Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2023. The fishing pier will remain closed until the…

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DNREC Encourages Delawareans to Recycle Christmas Trees

If you have a real Christmas tree, DNREC would like you to keep them out of the state’s landfills. After the holidays, you can recycle them at any of the yard waste recycling sites throughout the state. Some of these sites accept trees at no cost, while others charge for the service. Before you drop…

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DNREC Virtual Public Workshops to Restrict & Ban New Gas & Diesel Vehicles

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is hosting two virtual public workshops this week on the adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Car II standards that seek to restrict, and later ban, the sale of most new vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel. In March, Governor Carney directed DNREC to begin the…

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