Projects at Mispillion Harbor, Ted Harvey Conservation Area are reducing flooding, restoring habitat, improving resiliency and protecting public safety and property

DELAWARE BAYSHORE (Sept. 12, 2016) – Restoration work has begun at Mispillion Harbor Reserve and the Ted Harvey Conservation Area on two key DNREC projects that will repair and restore beaches, critical wetlands and other natural defenses. Both Division of Fish and Wildlife projects protect and restore wildlife habitat, improve coastal resiliency and preparedness to storms, and protect public safety and property by reducing flooding to communities, while enhancing ecotourism and recreational activities along the Delaware Bayshore.

Mispillion Harbor Reserve Located near the Town of Slaughter Beach in central Kent County, Mispillion Harbor Reserve’s beach, wetlands and adjacent resources have been degraded by Hurricane Sandy and subsequent coastal storms, resulting in the significant loss of habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs and shorebirds.

The Harbor is a major stopover in the Atlantic Flyway for waterfowl and shorebirds, including the federally threatened Red Knot. The birds descend on the Harbor to feed on horseshoe crab eggs before continuing their annual migrations to their Artic breeding ground. Birders and biologists from around the world come to Mispillion Harbor to witness the annual spring spectacle. In 1986, Delaware Bay joined the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network as a Site of Hemispheric Importance due to the sheer number of shorebirds that use the Bay as a migratory stopover.

Lindstrom Excavating has begun restoration of the beach and the stone dike. Restoration of the beach includes adding 46,000 cubic yards of sand to the Harbor. The stone dike is being restored with groins which include 12,000 tons of new stone that add height and stability. The stone raises the dike to a level that will better withstand waves and wind from coastal storms, thereby reducing flooding to adjacent wetlands, improving the resiliency of the Harbor to future storms and protecting the navigational channel through Mispillion Inlet, ensuring continued commercial and recreational access to the Delaware Bay.

The project is expected to be completed in April 2017 – in time for the annual shorebird migration.

Ted Harvey Conservation Area Ted Harvey Conservation Area, along the St. Jones River near the Town of Kitts Hummock, is a large coastal impoundment that provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife. The impoundment has suffered several dike breaches and subsidence over the years, and malfunctioning water control structures have resulted in flooding of more than 400 acres of habitat.

The project is restoring more than 5,000 feet of dike and replacing two malfunctioning water control structures. About 40,000 cubic yards of soil is being added to increase the average height of the existing dike by 4 feet, improving coastal resiliency and preparedness to storms. The new water control structures will allow the Division of Fish & Wildlife to effectively manage impoundment water levels for wildlife, thereby improving biodiversity and enhancing recreational activities, including waterfowl hunting.

Project contractor Zack Excavating is scheduled to start restoration this month and complete the project by October 2017. As a result, the Ted Harvey South Impoundment and south boat launch parking lot will be closed to the public beginning Sept. 26 and will reopen once the project is completed in 2017.  Therefore, the impoundment will be closed for the 2016/17 waterfowl season. Additionally, potential closings may take place for the road leading to the restoration site. Drivers should be aware of heavy truck traffic in the area and follow signs, if the road is closed.

The projects are made possible by two federal grants totaling $6.5 million awarded to DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) through Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency appropriations. Administered by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the grants have leveraged additional funding from state watershed stewardship funds, a Wildlife Sport Fish and Restoration federal grant, and Ducks Unlimited (DU). The projects are the result of close cooperation and partnerships among DNREC, the U.S. DOI, the NFWF, DU and Delaware’s Congressional Delegation of Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, and Congressman John Carney.

For more information contact Jeremey Ashe, Habitat Restoration project manager, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Jeremey.Ashe@delaware.gov or 302-735-3601 or visit the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife

This project is part of DNREC’s Bayshore Initiative, a landscape approach to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat, increase volunteer participation in habitat stewardship projects, enhance low-impact outdoor recreation and ecotourism opportunities, and promote associated environmentally compatible economic development. In 2011, the Delaware National Bayshore plan received national recognition as one of two Delaware projects included in a 50-state report from the U.S. Department of the Interior outlining some of the country’s most promising ways to reconnect Americans to the natural world.

Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, Melanie.Rapp@delaware.gov, 302-739-9902
Vol. 46, No. 333

Reminder for the week: Hunters reminded to avoid using railroad tracks for hunting access

Officers responded to 72 complaints and issued 41 citations, five of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

An incident of note:

• On Sept. 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited two New Castle County men for illegal deer hunting activities at the C&D Canal Conservation Area. One was cited for hunting deer over bait on a wildlife area and littering; he was fined $214, including court costs. The other was cited for hunting deer over bait on a wildlife area, possession of unlawfully taken deer and littering on a state wildlife area; he was fined $379, including court costs. K-9 River, a Labrador retriever deployed by NRP, aided the investigation, using her tracking skills to lead Fish & Wildlife officers to a wooded area baited with corn and evidence that a deer had been harvested there.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting deer over bait on a wildlife area (2)*, possession of unlawfully taken deer (1)*, hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (1), hunting doves on a wildlife area without a permit (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4), and littering on a state wildlife area (2)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (2), possession of undersized blue crabs (8), improperly marked recreational crab pots (3), and trespassing to fish (1).
Commercial: Unlawful transfer of commercial tags/striped bass (9).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of lifejackets (1), no lifejacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (2), operating a personal watercraft after sunset (1), and no boating education certificate (1).

*Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
With early fall hunting seasons now open, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters to avoid using railroad tracks for access to hunting areas.

“All railroad tracks are private property, and no one should be walking, driving or parking on tracks without landowner permission. If found on the tracks, violators will be charged with trespassing and fined,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Those considering using railroad tracks for access to hunt doves or other game also need to consider the safety hazard involved – many railroad tracks throughout the state are still in active use.”

With dove, resident Canada goose and archery deer seasons now open, teal season opening today and squirrel season opening Sept. 15, hunters also are reminded that early-season hunting opportunities are offered on many wildlife areas throughout the state. Non-toxic shot must be used for all dove hunting on state wildlife areas during the month of September.

Season dates and legal hunting hours are as follows:
• White-tailed deer: Archery and crossbow seasons, Sept. 1, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset)
• Doves (early season): Sept. 1-Oct. 1 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset)
• Resident Canada Geese: Sept. 1-24 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset)
• Teal: Sept. 9-27 (½ hour before sunrise to sunset).
For later season dates and other migratory game bird seasons, hunters should consult the 2016-2017 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

Hunters also are reminded to purchase their 2016/2017 hunting license if they have not already done so. A Delaware resident annual hunting license costs $25 for ages 16 through 64. A resident junior hunting license costs $5 for ages 13 through 15. To hunt waterfowl in Delaware, including teal, residents age 16 through 64 are required to purchase a state waterfowl (duck) stamp, which costs $9. Higher license prices apply to non-resident hunters, and no exemptions are made for non-residents age 65 and older on purchasing a Delaware hunting license or waterfowl stamp.

Hunters who are exempt from purchasing a license must obtain an annual, free License Exempt Number (LEN). Teal, dove and goose hunters also must obtain a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. Both are available online at https://egov.delaware.gov/htr or by calling 855-335-4868 toll-free.

If hunting waterfowl on a state wildlife area from a blind that was selected through a lottery, all hunters in the blind are required to carry the $20 annual blind permit, available for purchase online or where hunting licenses are sold. This requirement is waived for hunters participating in Division of Fish & Wildlife-designated youth hunting days.

Delaware hunting licenses, blind permits and waterfowl stamps are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating hunting license agent, to purchase a license or blind permit or to obtain a HIP or LEN number online, click Delaware Licenses and Permits. For additional information on Delaware hunting licenses, call 302-739-9918.

A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, available for purchase online, at U.S. Post Offices and at Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges, is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older; no exemptions are made for persons 65 years or older for purchasing federal stamps.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, including specific wildlife area rules, hunters should consult the 2016-2017 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide along with this year’s newly-revised wildlife area maps. Both are available online at Delaware Hunting Information. Hard copies of the guide and the hunting maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

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

Contact: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 330

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DOVER – West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in Delaware in blood samples taken from DNREC’s sentinel chickens that are monitored for mosquito-borne diseases. The samples are collected as part of a statewide surveillance program conducted by DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section. So far in Delaware this year, no cases of West Nile virus have been found in horses, humans or wild birds.

The Delaware Division of Public Health Laboratory reported WNV-positive results from seven sentinel chickens tested in August. All of the chickens were from New Castle County locations north of the C&D Canal, according to Dr. William Meredith, Division of Fish & Wildlife Mosquito Control Section administrator.

“Based upon these positive virus findings, and with mosquito season reaching its peak for transmission of mosquito-borne diseases from late August into early October, Mosquito Control will increase its mosquito population monitoring activities in this area and continue to take appropriate mosquito control actions,” Dr. Meredith said.

Mosquito Control operates 20 monitoring stations with caged chickens statewide. The sentinel chickens are humanely kept and tended in the field. Sentinel chickens bitten by mosquitoes carrying WNV or eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) – both of which can affect humans and horses – develop antibodies that enable them to survive. Their blood is tested every two weeks for these antibodies, which indicate exposure to these viruses.

“So far in 2016, mosquito populations have been about normal, with indications of mosquito-borne illnesses a bit below normal. In comparison to past years, this could turn out to be a relatively light year for WNV,” Dr. Meredith said. Nationwide through Aug. 30, Dr. Meredith said the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported 406 WNV human cases and nine deaths, with Texas, South Dakota, California, Arizona and Colorado having the most cases. In the mid-Atlantic region this year to date, five WNV human cases have been reported in Pennsylvania, one WNV human case each in New Jersey and Virginia, and no human cases in Delaware, New York or Maryland.

The worst year on record for WNV was in 2003, with 9,862 human cases and 264 deaths nationwide. That year, the worst West Nile outbreak in Delaware also occurred, with 17 confirmed human cases and two fatalities, plus 63 equine cases. In 2012, there was a resurgence nationwide of WNV involving 5,674 human cases and 286 deaths, with nine WNV human cases in Delaware and one death, but no horse cases due to equine vaccinations. Last year, nationwide numbers declined to 2,469 human cases.

There are no approved WNV or EEE vaccines for humans. The majority of humans infected with WNV typically have symptoms similar to a mild flu, if they show any symptoms at all; 20 percent develop a mild illness which includes fever, body and muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash. A very small percentage of patients, usually the elderly, develop severe neurological disease resulting in meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or acute flaccid paralysis, and sometimes death. Symptoms may include sudden onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, confusion and muscle weakness. Individuals with these symptoms should see their physician immediately.

“Most people bitten by an infected mosquito won’t get sick but it is possible they can spread it to others if bitten by another mosquito,” said Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay, “Others are not as lucky, and everyone can be at risk. The best protection against mosquito-borne illnesses is always to prevent mosquito bites.”

State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst of the Delaware Department of Agriculture said her office encourages use of the effective equine vaccines available to protect horses from WNV and EEE. “I am urging horse owners to assist with prevention efforts by making sure their horses are vaccinated against both WNV and EEE,” she said.

“This finding of West Nile virus in Delaware’s sentinel chickens also serves as a good reminder for people to take common-sense precautions against mosquito bites,” said DNREC Mosquito Control Section Administrator Meredith said. These include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors in mosquito-prone areas, applying insect repellent containing 10-30 percent DEET in accordance with all label instructions, and avoiding mosquito-infested areas or times of peak mosquito activity around dusk, dawn or throughout the night.

Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses are three other mosquito-borne diseases most often linked to South and Central America and the Caribbean. The American South and mid-Atlantic states have mosquito species that can transmit the illnesses, and Zika was recently confirmed in south Florida mosquitoes. Zika has not yet been detected in Delaware mosquito populations. The First State has 11 Zika cases reported – all of them travel-related. For more information on Zika, please visit: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/zika.html.

To reduce mosquito-breeding habitat and chances of disease transmission, Dr. Meredith said residents should drain or remove from their outdoor areas all items that collect water, such as discarded buckets or containers, uncovered trash cans, stagnant birdbaths, unprotected rain barrels or cisterns, old tires, upright wheelbarrows, flowerpot liners, depressions in tarps covering boats, clogged rain gutters, downspout extenders and unused swimming pools.

“The possibility of mosquito-borne disease transmissions won’t subside until cooler autumn temperatures set in, usually in mid-October and sometimes even later,” Meredith said.

To help determine when and where control services are needed, Mosquito Control encourages residents to report intolerable numbers of biting mosquitoes by calling the numbers below. Staff answers phones between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers after business hours or during weekends or holidays should leave their name, phone number, address and a brief message.

• New Castle County and northern Kent County from Dover north, call Mosquito Control’s Glasgow office at 302-836-2555
• Southern Kent County and all of Sussex County, call Mosquito Control’s Milford office at 302-422-1512

For more information about:
• Mosquito biology/ecology and control – Contact the Mosquito Control Section’s Dover office at 302-739-9917.
• WNV in humans and related medical issues – Contact the Delaware Division of Public Health at 888-295-5156.
• WNV or EEE in horses and equine vaccines – Contact the Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section at 302-698-4500 or 800-282-8685 (Delaware only).
• West Nile virus – visit the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section provides statewide services to about 945,000 Delaware residents and 7.5 million visitors annually to maintain quality of life and protect public health by reducing the possibility of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, chikungunya and Zika virus. Throughout the warmer months, Mosquito Control monitors and treats mosquito populations that emerge from wetland areas throughout the state, including ditches, stormwater ponds, wet woodlands and coastal salt marshes, using EPA-registered insecticides. These insecticides have been determined by EPA to pose no unreasonable risk to human health, wildlife or the environment when professionally applied. The Section also works year-round on water and marsh management projects designed to reduce mosquito populations, and provides the public with information on dealing with mosquitoes, from reducing backyard mosquito production to avoiding mosquito bites. For more information, call 302-739-9917 or visit http://de.gov/mosquito.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs Office, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 328

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Reminder for the week: Natural Resources Police patrols increased to monitor hunting, fishing seasons concurrently in full swing

DOVER – To achieve public compliance 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 Aug. 22-28 made 2,263 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 419 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 80 complaints and issued 47 citations, seven of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there continues to be an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

Incidents of note:

• On Aug. 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited John R. Mitchell Jr., 42, of Ocean View with one count each of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (OUI), no personal flotation device, no fire extinguisher and no vessel registration card in possession. Mitchell was cited in the Indian River Bay near White House Beach. He was released with an order to appear in Justice of the Peace Court 14 at a later date.
• On Aug. 27, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited John J. Kass, 44, of Pottstown, Pa. with one count of OUI on Rehoboth Bay near Massey’s Landing. Kass was released with an order to appear in Justice of the Peace Court 14 at a later date.
• Increased patrols in Kent County wildlife areas during this time period resulted in multiple citations issued for entering after hours and one citation for possession of marijuana.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Entering a wildlife area after hours (8)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (5)*, possession of undersized weakfish (1), possession of undersized summer flounder (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (4), crab pot tampering (non-commercial) (1), improperly marked recreational crab pots (2), possession of summer flounder parts (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of lifejackets (2), no lifejacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (7), operating under the influence (2), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (3), failure to provide flares or visual distress signal equipment (1), failure to have fire extinguisher aboard (1), failure to possess registration card (1), and allowing the use of a non-compliant vessel (1), no boater education card (1).

Public Safety: Unregistered motor vehicle in a wildlife area (1)*, excessive speed in a wildlife area (1)*, possession of marijuana (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), criminal trespass (1).

* Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area: unlicensed fishing (4), entering a wildlife area after hours (1).

Are you AWARE?
With several hunting seasons having opened Sept. 1 and fishing still at full-throttle, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police continue to increase patrols and closely monitor state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas for visitor safety and compliance, as well as checking for illegal activity such as vandalism, littering, dumping and damaging wildlife habitat.

“The public is encouraged to enjoy our wildlife, fishing and boating access areas and the unique outdoor experiences they offer,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “However, as stewards of this land for the general public, we cannot allow the few people who do not respect our conservation mission to ruin things for the many who do. Those caught abusing our natural resources through illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

State wildlife areas, fishing piers and boat launching facilities are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing, hunting or boating in accordance with state regulations and individual wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements and found at these sites between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours.

Wildlife area visitors also are reminded that it is illegal to operate motor vehicles – including motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs – off established roadways in state wildlife areas. Violators found to cause damage also will be cited for destruction of state property. In addition, operating a motor vehicle that is not licensed for use on established public roadways – including ATVs – is prohibited both on and off-road on state wildlife areas.

The following rules also apply to all state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas:

• Camping, swimming, target shooting (including paintball), dumping and littering, and fires are prohibited.
• Dog training is permitted only within established dog training areas or during open hunting seasons for the game animals that the dog is being trained to hunt.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only during designated hunting seasons.
• Firearms are prohibited on state wildlife areas from March 1 to Aug. 31, except during legal hunting seasons or as authorized by the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
• All of these sites have a carry-in, carry-out trash policy.

“Littering can be a problem, especially in many fishing areas, so please leave no trace behind and take your trash with you,” Sgt. McDerby said.

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each area, visitors are encouraged to give close attention to Delaware wildlife area maps published by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The maps are available in hard copy at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and also online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

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.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 325

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the Collins Beach boat ramp facility will have limited access Sept. 6 and 7 while the Division assists Delmarva Power with the critical, time-sensitive waterborne offloading of a large transformer at the boat ramp for transport to the utility’s Townsend power substation on Flemings Landing Road in Smyrna. After a recent transformer failure there, Delmarva Power needed to get a replacement unit onsite as quickly as possible, and DNREC agreed to help, given that the transformer is key Delmarva Power infrastructure for ensuring electric reliability in areas of New Castle and Kent County.  

The northern half of the lower parking lot at Collins Beach will be closed early afternoon on Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Wednesday, Sept 7. to facilitate  offloading and subsequent transport of the transformer to the  Delmarva Power’s Townsend substation. Though the boat ramp will remain open during most of this time intermittent, short closures can be expected from 1- 7 p.m. Sept 7. The upper lot will remain open throughout the duration of the project.

Boaters who regularly use the Collins Beach boat ramp for access to the upper Delaware Bay and Delaware River may choose to use the Woodland Beach Boat Ramp, located on Woodland Beach Road in Woodland Beach, or the Augustine Boat Ramp on Route 9 in Port Penn.

Delmarva Power’s transformer replacement project is expected to be complete, with full access restored at the Collins Beach boating access area, by Thursday, Sept. 8. 

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

CONTACT: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 323

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