Millsboro Wastewater Spill Closes Indian River Bay to Recreational Bivalve Shellfish Harvest Through Aug. 24

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has declared an emergency closure for recreational clamming and mussel harvest in Indian River Bay until Aug. 24. DNREC’s mandatory closure protective of public health came after a pump station connected to the town of Millsboro’s sanitary sewer system failed today, discharging raw sewage into the Iron Branch, a tributary of the Indian River, which flows into the bay.

The harvest of crabs, conch and finfish are not affected by the closure. Oysters grown commercially under aquaculture leases in Rehoboth Bay are not impacted or affected by the Indian River Bay closure. Recreational harvest of oysters is prohibited in Delaware.

The wastewater spill has potentially caused fecal contamination of shellfish in Indian River Bay, which according to National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements, must be closed to bivalve shellfish harvest for 21 days to protect public health. The 21-day closure of shellfish harvest is a federal guideline that also gives bivalves time for natural cleansing.

DNREC also advises recreational water users to limit water contact in the upper Indian River Bay for the next few days, particularly in waters near the location of the spill.

The spill was stopped Wednesday afternoon. DNREC Division of Water staff are monitoring repairs at the Millsboro pump station. Delaware Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police working with the DNREC Delaware Shellfish Program are patrolling and monitoring Indian River Bay to enforce the closure of the bay to recreational bivalve harvest and to ensure recreational clammers are aware of it. More information about the closure and the Delaware Shellfish Program under DNREC authority can be found at de.gov/shellfish.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on FacebookInstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie,  nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

###


DNREC to Offer ‘Life in the Bay’ Educational Youth Seining Program

Seining involves a long narrow net cast into the water followed by pulling the net in to see what kind of marine life was caught (and then released during the “Life in the Bay” seining program at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna). /DNREC photo

 

New Outdoor Program Upcoming in August at Aquatic Resources Education Center

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invites families to participate in a new educational program called “Life in the Bay” geared toward children age 6 and older, as well as adults who want to learn about fish and other aquatic creatures that live in the Delaware Bay.

Staff from DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife will be on hand to seine for aquatic creatures along the edge of the Delaware Bay and help participants discover and learn about aquatic life found there.

Program participants will observe AREC staff as they use a seine net to capture aquatic life along the shoreline. Later, participants will have an opportunity to view the catch and assist staff in releasing what has been caught by seining. Closed toed shoes are a must for participating in “Life in the Bay.” All other equipment will be provided by staff.

Seining programs are scheduled next month for:

  • Wednesday, Aug. 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

To ensure enough supplies are on hand for these free programs, pre-registration is required. To pre-register for the program, visit the DNREC events calendar, de.gov/dnrecmeetings. To learn more about AREC or the program, visit de.gov/arec.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

###


DNREC Announces Dates for ‘Small Fry Adventures’ Family Outings

One of the “Small Fry Adventures” for this youngster at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna was creating a crab from a paper plate while viewing and learning about crabs, fish and other aquatic creatures found in the waters of Delaware Bay. /DNREC photo

 

Three Programs Upcoming at Aquatic Resources Education Center Near Smyrna

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invites families with young children to come out to DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) near Smyrna and enjoy exciting outdoors programs called “Small Fry Adventures” this summer. These events, put on by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, are geared toward giving youngsters ages 4 to 7 the opportunity to satisfy their curiosity about fish and other aquatic critters that live in the tidal salt marsh.

Kids participating with their families will have a chance to view marine life in AREC’s aquariums, make a simple craft with an aquatic theme and participate in activities to learn about some of the aquatic life found in Delaware.

“Small Fry Adventures” programs are scheduled for the following dates:

  • Tuesday, July 25
  • Tuesday, Aug. 8
  • Tuesday, Aug.15

All three programs are to take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at AREC, located at 2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna, DE 19977.

To ensure enough supplies are on hand for these free programs, pre-registration is required. To pre-register for Small Fry Adventures or for more information about the program and others offered by AREC, email Pearlie.Franklin@delaware.gov or call 302-735-8689.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

###


DNREC to Raffle Low Number Hunting License at State Fair

A 1913 low number Delaware resident “hunter’s license.” A three-digit license will be drawn for July 27 at the Delaware State Fair from the names of hunters who are automatically entered in a raffle by purchasing their 2023/2024 Delaware resident license at the DNREC Building at the fair. /Image: DNREC archives

 

Winner’s Name to be Drawn During the Fair on Governor’s Day July 27 at DNREC Building

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has announced the state’s first low number hunting license raffle and invites Delaware resident hunters to enter the raffle automatically when buying a 2023/2024 license at the DNREC Building at the Delaware State Fair, which opens tomorrow. Eligibility in the raffle is limited to Delaware resident hunters and to be included in the raffle, hunters must purchase their licenses at the fair from opening day July 20 until noon July 27.

Hunters buying their licenses at the fair during that time will have the chance for their name to be drawn for low license number 000232. To be entered in the raffle, hunters must be Delaware residents 16 years of age or older and must have completed a hunter education course if born after Jan. 1, 1967. The winner’s name for the opportunity to own Delaware hunting license 000232 will be drawn by Governor John Carney during the afternoon of July 27, Governor’s Day at the fair. Hunters are not required to be present for the low number license drawing.

The low number hunting license to be drawn for at the fair cannot be used for the 2023/2024 hunting season, but will be activated upon the winner’s buying a 2024/2025 Delaware hunting license when they become available next year. License number 000232 will remain valid for as long as the holder renews it, an annual requirement for retaining the low number Delaware resident hunting licenses.

Delaware hunting licenses numbered between 000001-001200 are available only to Delaware residents. In the past, low number hunting licenses – which generated great interest amongst Delaware hunters as do low number license plates for First State motorists and low number surf tags for anglers auctioned off each year by the DNREC Division of Parks and recreation – were drawn by lottery, but that tradition was discontinued during the previous decade. The state fair raffle for a low number license is expected to spark interest in reviving the low number license lottery, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Pat Emory said.

Throughout the fair’s run, the DNREC Recreational License Office will operate from the DNREC Building, selling both resident and non-resident hunting licenses, resident and non-resident fishing licenses, and Conservation Access Passes required for wildlife watching and other outdoor pursuits on DNREC’s wildlife areas. The office also will renew low number hunting licenses and trapping licenses that were purchased for previous seasons. For more information about Delaware resident hunting licenses, including license renewals, visit de.gov/huntinglicense or call the DNREC Recreational License Office at 302-739-9918.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

###


Partial Closures of Little Creek Wildlife Area to Begin Aug. 1 for Main Impoundment Dike Restoration Project

View of the main impoundment on DNREC’s Little Creek Wildlife Area from the wildlife observation tower – the observation tower with its sweeping views remains open while the impoundment undergoes a dike restoration project starting Aug. 1 /DNREC photo

 

Wildlife Observation Tower to be Accessible on Weekends, Off-Hours

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that restoration work within the Little Creek Wildlife Area on the main impoundment’s exterior dike is set to begin on Aug. 1 – which will require closure of the impoundment for public use until the project’s completion, expected in early fall.

The access road to the Little Creek main impoundment off Pickering Beach Road east of Dover also is to be closed to public access for the duration of the project due to construction equipment and heavy truck traffic entering and exiting the wildlife area.

During the dike restoration project, the road leading to the Little Creek Wildlife Area’s popular observation tower also will be closed. However, that road is expected to reopen on weekdays at the end of working hours (approximately 5 p.m.) as well as on weekends – though the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife advises that construction workday hours are dependent on weather conditions. At all times, but particularly when the dike restoration project is under way, wildlife area users should drive cautiously and obey all road signage.

When completed, the dike’s restoration will enable improved water management and strengthen resiliency of the Little Creek main impoundment against damage from coastal storm events. Impoundments provide a unique and important habitat for many species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other waterbirds. Proper water management is critical for wildlife, vegetation growth, mosquito control, and public access for outdoor recreation.

For more information about the Little Creek Wildlife Area impoundment dike restoration project, call the DNREC Wildlife Section, 302-739-9912.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

###