Volunteer Registration Begins for Del. Coastal Cleanup

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There is much more summer to come, but volunteers are already being recruited to take part in the 35th Delaware Coastal Cleanup.41 spots along beaches and waterways will be targeted Saturday, September 17th between 9:00 a.m. and noon. Online registration opens today (Monday) and is open through Wednesday, August 31st. Volunteers may choose the location…

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Former Floating Casino Becomes Part of Artificial Reef

The Texas Star was sunk on Redbird Reef in the Atlantic Ocean on June 29. DNREC photo.
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With a slow splash, the 180-foot long Texas Star, originally outfitted as a floating casino and repurposed as a commercial fishing vessel, recently became part of Delaware’s artificial reef system. The reef site is 16.5 miles off the Delaware coast. “With today’s sinking of the Texas Star on Redbird Reef, one of 14 separate reef…

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That’s a Wrap: 151st Del. General Assembly Concludes

Governor John Carney and legislators gathered following the end of the 151st Delaware General Assembly (photo courtesy of the office of Gov. John Carney)
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The curtain has come down on the 151st Delaware General Assembly.Members of the House and Senate stayed in session after midnight to meet constitutional requirements to have a special session if it’s necessary. “We’ve done a lot this legislative session to move the state forward,” Governor John Carney said. “We’ve signed a sustainable budget. We…

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Del. Legislation Seeks To ban Single-Use Plastic Coffee Stirrers, Polystyrene Containers At Restaurants

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Delaware restaurants would be prohibited from serving ready-to-eat food in polystyrene containers, under legislation that has been approved in the State Senate. Polystyrene is best known as Styrofoam. The bill, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 134, would also require restaurants to only provide single-use plastic straws if requested by a customer, and single-use plastic…

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Rehoboth Park & Ride To Be Modernized With Grant Support

Senator Tom Carper and others gathered at the Rehoboth Park & Ride for a grant announcement Tuesday (photo shared by Sen. Tom Carper on Twitter)
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The Rehoboth Beach Park & Ride will be modernized in support of DART’s efforts to move to zero-emissions buses, thanks in part to a Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facility Grant of $5.4-million. Senator Tom Carper, D-Del., DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski and Delaware Transit Corporation CEO John Sisson gathered Tuesday in Rehoboth Beach for…

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Del. Bill Proposes “Green Amendment” In State Constitution

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Delawareans would have a constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment, under legislation introduced in the Delaware General Assembly.The constitutional Green Amendment would add language to the Delaware Constitution to conserve, protect and maintain the state’s natural resources.House Bill 220 would represent the first leg of a constitutional Green Amendment. A two-thirds majority would…

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US Wind, U. of Md. To Partner In Wind Power Research Project

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A wind power company pledges $11-million over ten years in a research partnership with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.According to Baltimore-based U.S. Wind Incorporated, the research would take place in its 80,000-acre federal lease area off the Ocean City coast. Three research projects are aimed at understanding the potential effects of offshore…

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

Image courtesy of US Geological Survey
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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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Christmas Tree Recycle Programs Get Underway

Photo courtesy of Delaware Department of Natural Resources
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The time will come to say goodbye to your natural Christmas tree. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources says it can be tree-cycled. Real trees can be regifted to the environment at several yard waste recycling facilities across the state. According to DNREC, more than 158,000 tons of yard waste – including grass, leaves, brush,…

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Rehoboth Beach, Sussex Co. Negotiate On Ocean Outfall Agreement

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Sussex County is proposing to purchase a portion of Rehoboth Beach’s excess ocean outfall capacity for treated wastewater. The Rehoboth Beach Commissioners discussed the proposal at a special meeting Thursday. Under the proposal, the county would directly connect the county treatment facility to the ocean outfall pipe. The county would make a one-time payment of…

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Del. Wetlands Conference Scheduled For Feb. ’22

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The dates are set for the 10th Delaware Wetlands Conference. The event in February will highlight the importance of wetlands in Delaware and around the mid-Atlantic region. According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources, more than 400 wetland experts and advocates are expected to gather for the biennial conference at the Wilmington riverfront. DNREC…

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Diesel Fuel Spills At Indian River Power Plant

NRG Energy
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The Delaware Department of Natural Resources Emergency Response Team, the EPA and the US Coast Guard responded to a diesel fuel spill at the Indian River power plant Wednesday. The plant is operated by NRG, which issued a statement: “NRG takes protection of the environment and compliance with all environmental regulations seriously. Unfortunately, NRG experienced…

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Bill To Tighten Plastic Bag Ban Moves Forward

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Delaware lawmakers are strengthening the near-prohibition on single-use plastic bags that took effect at the start of the year. The House approved a bill Wednesday (House Bill 212) that would close a loophole in which many larger stores or chains introduced slightly thicker plastic bags touted as reusable. The new legislation defines a reusable bag…

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MERR Institute Treats Rescued Seal Pup

A male seal pup was rescued April 19th in the area of Gordon's Pond (photo courtesy of MERR Institute)
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A gray seal pup has been rescued from the Gordon’s Pond area. According to the Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute, the male seal was found to be underweight and with bite wounds on Monday. Otherwise, the pup is described as ‘alert and feisty’ at the time. The MERR Institute is still evaluating the seal,…

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100 lbs. of oily debris removed from beach

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The Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources have responded to the discovery of oil on Towers Beach. About 100-pounds of oily debris were cleaned up by a group of contractors from Lewis Environmental. The source of the oil that was first discovered Monday evening is under investigation. Three months ago, oil washed up…

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