DNREC raises public awareness of Lewes WTTP effluent bypass discharge, closes Delaware Bay shellfish harvest areas
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Water | Division of Watershed Stewardship | Date Posted: Monday, December 23, 2019
DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control was notified Wednesday, Dec. 18 of equipment malfunctions at the Lewes wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that the facility operator, Tidewater Inc., was working to correct. Due to the nature of the affected equipment, the malfunction could not be expeditiously resolved, which required the Lewes WWTP to begin bypassing stages of its treatment, and begin discharging partially-treated wastewater effluent from the facility the evening of Thursday, Dec. 19.
DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 9-15
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Monday, December 23, 2019
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’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 9-15 made 1,360 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 16 citations. Officers responded to 43 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.
DNREC, Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc. enter into agreements on violations at Mountaire poultry processing facilities
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Water | Date Posted: Monday, December 16, 2019
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control signed an agreement with Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc. Dec. 13 to resolve spray irrigation and land application permit violations cited by DNREC in a Nov. 2, 2017 Notice of Violation (NOV). DNREC first took action against Mountaire for these violations via the filing of a complaint in Delaware Superior Court against Mountaire in June 2018. The complaint was stayed by Superior Court pending resolution of a parallel action in Federal Court. To formalize ongoing and required corrective actions resulting from the September 2017 wastewater treatment plan failure, DNREC and Mountaire have finalized an agreement based on the consent decree proposed in June 2018. The agreement includes three major components – mitigation, environmentally-beneficial offset, and an administrative penalty and costs. Mountaire is required to mitigate damage to the environment through short-term and long-term corrective measures. In the short term, Mountaire must continue the interim corrective measures required by DNREC that have been ongoing since October 2017. Mountaire must also make long-term system upgrades to the plant, including the requirement for environmental mitigation through the relocation of Mountaire’s production wells within the spray fields to establish a pump and treat system.
DNREC reopens wooded areas of Alapocas Run State Park without further sighting of black bear seen earlier in park
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Division of Parks and Recreation | Newsroom | Date Posted: Friday, December 6, 2019
WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has re-opened Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington, which was closed Dec. 5 due to the sighting of a black bear in the park that has been reportedly moving around northern New Castle County this week. After the park’s temporary closure, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, with the assistance of Delaware State Police’s aviation unit, conducted aerial searches of the Alapocas Run State Park and surrounding areas using infrared radar technology but did not detect the bear. Fish & Wildlife and State Parks Natural Resources Police officers also placed trail cameras overnight and conducted extensive patrols by foot throughout the park without further sightings.
DNREC awards recycling grants as Delaware celebrates Nov. 15 as America Recycles Day
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances | Date Posted: Friday, November 15, 2019
DOVER – As Delawareans go to their recycling carts and compost containers to celebrate America Recycles Day, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today announced almost $400,000 in recycling grants from Delaware’s Universal Recycling Grant and Low Interest Loan program administered by DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances.
