Terms of the agreement must be approved by Diamond State Port Corporation Board and the Delaware General Assembly

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock on Thursday announced that the State of Delaware has reached a preliminary agreement with the Gulftainer Group to lease the Port of Wilmington from the State, construct a new container shipping facility on the Delaware River, and significantly expand jobs at the Port over the next decade.

The Gulftainer Group is the largest independent, privately-owned port operator in the world. The company currently operates 15 ports and logistics facilities across four continents, including North America. Gulftainer has operated the Port of Canaveral, Fla. for nearly four years, establishing the Canaveral Cargo Terminal as a significant new port gateway. The introduction of new container and containerized cargo services at Canaveral contributed to an increase in cargo volume of more than 150% in 2017.

“The Port of Wilmington has long been a center of good-paying jobs in Delaware that stabilize families and the neighborhoods where they live,” said Governor Carney. “Creating more of those jobs is central to the economic success of our state, and the preliminary agreement we have on the table holds the promise of significant new investment at the Port that will expand job opportunities for years to come.”

Under terms of the preliminary agreement, Gulftainer’s subsidiary GT USA would make annual royalty payments to the State of Delaware reaching an estimated $13 million over the next decade. The company also would agree to invest more than $580 million in the port over the next nine years, including approximately $410 million for a new container facility at DuPont’s former Edgemoor site, which was acquired by the Diamond State Port Corporation in 2016.

GT USA would also establish a training facility at the Edgemoor site for jobs in the ports and logistics industries, with a goal of training 1,000 aspiring workers each year for high-quality jobs in Wilmington and beyond.

“Delaware has a unique opportunity to partner with an operator that can transition our port into a significant economic driver for the state,” said Secretary of State Bullock, Chairman of the Diamond State Port Corporation. “A proposal like this does not come along very often, and Delaware should take advantage of it.”

The Board of Directors of the Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC), the public entity that owns and operates the Port of Wilmington, must approve terms of the agreement. Members of the Delaware General Assembly also must approve the agreement. The Board is scheduled to consider the agreement on April 6. If the Board consents to the terms, the agreement would be presented to the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement of the General Assembly, as required by Delaware law.

“We see enormous opportunity at the Port of Wilmington and are gratified by the support for GT’s plans from Delaware unions, business, and broader community,” said Gulftainer CEO Peter Richards. “We want to restore the Port as an important national cargo gateway, doubling cargoes, doubling revenue to the State, investing hundreds of millions of dollars and adding thousands of workers over the next decade. We see only upside in the US and the Port of Wilmington is poised to become one of the biggest success stories in the US ports and logistics sector.”

Under terms of the agreement:

•  GT USA would lease the Port of Wilmington for a term of 50 years.
• The company would make royalty payments to the State of Delaware according to the volume of cargo that passes through the port.
• Annual royalty payments would be expected to grow from approximately $6 million in 2018 to $13 million by 2027.
• GT USA would agree to invest more than $580 million in the port through 2027, including approximately $410 million for a new container facility at the Edgemoor site.
• Construction at the Edgemoor site would begin by 2022.
• GT USA would guarantee that the number of jobs held at the port by members of the International Longshoremen’s Association would not fall below current levels.

“I have been pleased with the tremendous amount of effort and work that has gone into finding a port operator that will be the best fit for Delaware,” said Representative Quinn Johnson, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement and a member of the DSPC Board of Directors. “The port is a tremendous asset to the entire state and has a tremendous amount of economic potential. It is clear that the time has come for a solid public/private partnership that will make the necessary investments to grow port activity and increase the number of jobs the port supports throughout Delaware.”

“All of us are focused on seeing the state’s investment in Edgemoor pay off,” said Senator David Sokola, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement and a member of the DSPC Board of Directors. “The former DuPont site is the right location – with pre-existing rail and highway links in one of the nation’s most strategic areas – and Gulftainer may turn out to be just the right investor to transform it into a global shipping destination and a major asset for Delaware’s economy. I hope to review a finalized proposal in our board meeting next week and, if it is the right deal for Delaware, I look forward to supporting the plan in the Senate.”

“This could be a big win for Delaware and a significant boost to our economy. I’m very supportive and we should do whatever we can to try to get this deal done,” said Senator Colin Bonini, the senior Republican member of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement. “The Governor and his team deserve a lot of credit for persevering on this and I really hope we can get this done soon.”

###

DOVER – La División de Salud Pública de Delaware (DPH, por sus siglas en inglés) ha confirmado once casos de paperas asociados a un brote entre las personas que asistieron a dos diferentes bailes mexicanos en el condado de New Castle. Siete de los casos confirmados asistieron, o viven con personas que asistieron, al evento el 10 de febrero del 2018. El octavo caso trabajó en un segundo baile que se llevó a cabo el 3 de marzo del 2018 en el mismo complejo. DPH continúa investigando la fuente de exposición al virus de tres personas adicional. 

El DPH está recomendando que las personas que hayan asistido a los bailes del 10 de febrero o el 3 de marzo del 2018 se comuniquen con su médico de atención primaria para determinar si contrajeron las paperas o si ellos y sus familiares o contactos cercanos deben vacunarse contra las paperas.

“Con un caso confirmado de paperas asociado a un segundo baile social más reciente en un corto periodo de tiempo, estamos intensificando nuestro alcance a las personas, con o sin síntomas, y aquellos que viven con personas con diagnostico confirmado de paperas, contactar a su proveedor de atención primaria lo antes posible para ser evaluado de paperas y recibir la vacunación según lo recomendado,” dijo la Dra. Awele Maduka-Ezeh, directora médica del DPH.

Las paperas son una infección viral aguda que se disemina a través de la saliva o la mucosidad de la boca, nariz o garganta. Una persona infectada puede contagiar el virus al toser, estornudar o hablar, compartir elementos, como tazas o utensilios para comer, con otras personas y tocar objetos o superficies con las manos sucias que luego son tocadas por otras personas. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) señalan que se ha producido un aumento sustancial en el número de brotes de paperas y casos asociados a brotes en los Estados Unidos desde finales de 2015.

Los síntomas generalmente comienzan con unos días de fiebre, dolor de cabeza, dolores musculares, cansancio y pérdida de apetito, seguidos por inflamación en las glándulas salivales, lo que causa hinchazón en las mejillas y la mandíbula. Los síntomas generalmente aparecen de 16 a 18 días después de la infección, pero pueden variar de 12 a 25 días. Algunas personas con paperas pueden no presentar ningún síntoma.

Aquellas personas que asistieron al evento mexicano, o que viven con alguien que asistió y posteriormente desarrolló paperas, y que no tienen seguro de salud o cuyo seguro no cubre la vacuna contra paperas / sarampión / rubéola (MMR por sus siglas en inglés), deben llamar a una de las siguientes clínicas de la DPH solicitando la vacuna de MMR: en el Condado de New Castle, llame a la Clínica de Inmunización del Hudson State Service Center al 302-283-7587 (seleccione la opción #2); las personas que viven en el condado de Kent, llamar a la Clínica de Inmunización en Dover al 302-857-5140 y aquellos en el Condado de Sussex llamar a la Clínica de Inmunización en Georgetown al 302-515-3220.

Las personas que saben o sospechan que tienen paperas deben permanecer fuera de la escuela o del trabajo hasta cinco días después de la aparición de la inflamación en las glándulas salivares, ya que no existe un tratamiento específico para las paperas.

Algunas personas que contraen paperas tienen síntomas muy leves o no tienen síntomas, y con frecuencia no saben que tienen la enfermedad. La mayoría de las personas con paperas se recuperan por completo en unas pocas semanas. Sin embargo, las paperas ocasionalmente pueden causar complicaciones, especialmente en adultos. Las complicaciones incluyen:
• Inflamación de los testículos (orquitis) en hombres que han alcanzado la pubertad; raramente esto conduce a problemas de fertilidad
• Inflamación del cerebro (encefalitis)
• Inflamación del tejido que cubre el cerebro y la médula espinal (meningitis)
• Inflamación de los ovarios (ofaritis) y / o tejido mamario (mastitis)
• Sordera

Los CDC recomiendan que los niños reciban dos dosis de la vacuna MMR, comenzando con la primera entre los 12 a 15 meses de edad y la segunda entre los 4 a 6 años. Los adolescentes y adultos que no recibieron ambas dosis de la vacuna MMR deben vacunarse para que estén actualizadas. Durante los brotes, los CDC también recomiendan que aquellos con alto riesgo de haber estado expuestos a personas con paperas reciban una tercera dosis de MMR.

Las paperas son una enfermedad notificable en Delaware. Los casos sospechosos de paperas deben ser notificados a la DPH por fax al 302-223-1540; correo electrónico a reportdisease@delaware.gov; o teléfono, 302-744-4990. Se les pide a los proveedores que no esperen los resultados de las pruebas de laboratorio para notificar a la DPH.

English version: https://news.delaware.gov/2018/03/28/mumps-cases-now-nine/ 

Una persona sorda, con problemas de audición, o incapacitada del habla puede llamar al número de teléfono de la DPH mencionado arriba usando los servicios TTY. Marque 7-1-1 o 800-232-5460 para escribir su conversación a un operador de retransmisión, que lee su conversación a una persona que la escucha en la DPH. El operador de retransmisión teclea las palabras habladas de la persona que

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the boat ramp at Hearns Pond will be closed from April 2-4 to install a courtesy dock. A courtesy dock is a floating structure located alongside a launching ramp that makes launching and trailering boats easier.

While the project is expected to be complete, with full access restored, by the close of business on April 4, this work is weather dependent.

Hearns Pond anglers may want to fish nearby Concord Pond or Craigs Pond during this closure. Please check the Fish & Wildlife Facebook page for the latest information at https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife/.

For more information, please call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 67

-30-

Reminder for the week: Harvest of river herring, use of nets near spillways,
retaining striped bass during spawning season unlawful in Delaware

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, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between March 19-25 made 2,938 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 17 citations. Officers responded to 33 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 Actions

Incidents of note:

• On March 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Tyler Williams, 33, of Church Hill, Md., for one count of license forgery or misrepresentation near Georgetown. Williams was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he plead not guilty and was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.
• On March 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Shawn P. Moore, 42, of Georgetown, for five counts each of unlawful food fish equipment and unlawful possession of game fish near Lewes. Moore was fined $1,360, including court costs, and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: License forgery or misrepresentation (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Unlawful food fish equipment (5), and unlawful possession of game fish (5). Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, and malicious mischief with a motor vehicle (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 http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
With spring fishing season gearing up, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds recreational anglers that it is unlawful in Delaware to harvest river herring. Signs giving notice of the fishery closure are posted at fishing spots known to hold river herring. Fines for illegal possession of river herring begin at $50 for a first offense, and increase to $100-$500 for a second offense. For more information, click on river herring.

Anglers are also reminded that during spawning season for striped bass in Delaware, which begins April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. Anglers are required to practice catch and release fishing during this season with no harvest allowed in these areas.

Also, as fish begin entering the spillways this spring, anglers are reminded that using any type of net to catch fish in tidal water within 300 feet below a dam or spillway is illegal, with the exception of using a landing net on a fish caught with hook and line.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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

(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware Division of Public Health will distribute potassium iodide (KI) tablets to Delaware residents living within a ten mile radius of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.

The free tablets will be distributed on Thursday, April 5, 2018, between 12 noon and 7 p.m. at the Townsend Fire Station, 107 Main Street in Townsend, Delaware.  Delaware residents living within the ten mile radius called the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) have received notification of the distribution via U.S. Mail.

Potassium iodide will be available to residents who received it previously and whose tablets have reached their expiration date, as well as those who never received the tablets before.  Individuals with home or business addresses within the EPZ are eligible to receive the KI tablets.  The State of Delaware received the tablets when it chose to participate in a program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Potassium iodide does not protect against external radiation, but can help protect the thyroid gland from ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine that might be released in a radiation emergency.  KI is one of the measures outlined in Delaware’s emergency plans developed for use in a nuclear incident.  The primary method of protecting residents is evacuation of the EPZ.  Potassium iodide offers additional protection.

In the event of a radiation emergency, state and local officials will inform the public through an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message via local radio stations.  Messages will include instructions on how affected residents should react, directions to evacuation routes and emergency reception centers, and when to take the KI tablets.

Those who are eligible to receive KI tablets should bring a photo ID such as a driver’s license, proof of residency such as a utility bill, or proof of employment within the EPZ, when they go to the distribution center at Townsend Fire Station.  Individuals in possession of potassium iodide that has passed the expiration date can bring those tablets to the distribution center to receive new tablets.

Delaware residents living outside of the 10-mile EPZ who would like to obtain potassium iodide tablets should contact their pharmacist.  KI is available over-the-counter at some local pharmacies.

For additional information regarding the potassium iodide distribution program in Delaware, call the Delaware Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Planning section at 302-659-3362.