Reminder for the week: Dumping on state wildlife areas an ongoing issue

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Feb. 12-18 made 1,334 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 52 citations. Officers responded to 34 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On Feb. 15, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers during a career fair at Georgetown Middle School.
• Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police are now accepting applications for their Annual Youth Academies. For more information, please see the following press release: Applications now accepted Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s 3rd annual Youth Academies

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Feb. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested William J. Massey, 37, of Rehoboth Beach for one count of interstate transfer of food fish near Dewey Beach. Massey was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas and released on his own recognizance.
• On Feb. 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested an individual for multiple deer hunting violations near Laurel. The following press release was issued in regards to the incident: Laurel man arrested multiple deer hunting violations

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to attach deer tag antlerless deer (8), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (8), failure to retain tag on antlerless deer (8), and unlawful to remove antlerless deer parts prior to checking (8).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Interstate transfer of food fish (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a motor vessel with an expired registration (1).

Public Safety: Driving with a suspended or revoked license (2) and operating an ATV on state lands (1).

Other: Damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, dumping/littering on a state wildlife area (5), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6), possession of marijuana-civil (1), criminal impersonation (1), and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police want to remind the public that Delaware law, Title 7 Section 6025, states no person shall cause or contribute to the disposal or discharge of solid waste, also known as dumping or littering, anywhere in the State including any surface or ground water, except in the following ways: Through municipal or private solid waste collection systems which have received a permit from the Department; or in solid waste disposal facilities which have received a permit from the Department; or in containers specially provided for solid waste collection by any state or municipal agency or private or public group, organization, agency or company which has received a permit from the Department.

Dumping on our state wildlife areas has become an ongoing issue. Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police encourage residents and visitors to report violations, which can be done anonymously, by calling 1-800-523-3336.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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