Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 22-28

Reminder for the week: Paddle boards are vessels – and boating regulations apply

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 May 22-28 made 3,335 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 620 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 70 citations. Officers responded to 69 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 May 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers and common native wildlife in Delaware during a “Hero Week” event hosted by the Marshall Elementary School near Newark.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incident of note:

On May 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Roland Naylor, 54, of Smyrna for a commercial fisheries violation of possession of undersized oysters. Naylor was released with an order to appear in Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 at a later date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (11)*, Fishing in a closed area of a state wildlife area (1)*, possession of undersized blue crab (6), over the limit recreational crab pots (1), tending more than two recreational crab pots (1), improperly marked recreational crab pot (2), and no recreational crab pot bycatch reduction device (2).
Commercial: Possession of undersized oyster (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (9), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (5), no boating safety certificate (8), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (3), water skiing (tubing)-improper lookout (1), unregistered vessel (2), equipment violation- no sound producing device (2), and equipment violation- no fire extinguisher (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (11)*, swimming in a prohibited area – state owned pond (1), and damage division property (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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind paddle boarders – especially those new to the popular sport – to review Delaware’s boating laws and regulations and how they apply to paddle boards before heading out on the waterways.

So what is a paddle board? A paddle board is configured similarly to a surfboard, but usually longer and thicker. The operator of a paddle board stands upright on the board and propels it through the water using a long paddle.

The United States Coast Guard and the State of Delaware recognize a paddle board as a vessel when operated outside the confines of a surfing or swimming area. Therefore, many of the same vessel requirements for personal flotation devices, visual distress signals, sound producing devices and the use of a navigational light during low light conditions apply when paddle boards are operated in Delaware waters.

A paddle board less than 16 feet in length* must meet the following safety equipment requirements when operated in Delaware waters:

All paddle boarders must have a United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board.
Any child age 12 and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while on a paddle board.
Paddle boarders must carry a whistle, horn or some other sounding device capable of making an efficient sound signal.
When operating between the hours of sunset and sunrise, paddle boarders must carry a visual distress signal – an electric distress light or flares – suitable for night use. This applies to all boards operated on coastal waters and directly-connected waters (bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc.) which are two miles wide or wider.
When operating between the hours of sunset and sunrise, a paddle boarder also must have an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light ready at hand for use as a navigation light, which must be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

*Paddle boards longer than 16 feet may have additional safety requirements.

For access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook and other safe boating information, please click Delaware Boating Safety, or contact Delaware Boating Safety Coordinator Lt. John McDerby at 302-739-9913 or email john.mcderby@delaware.gov.

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.

Media contact: Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386.

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Progress on revitalization of former NVF site in Yorklyn to be showcased during Yorklyn Day festival

YORKLYN – Revitalization milestones will be on display from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4, during the first Yorklyn Day festival at the former NVF manufacturing site in Yorklyn. The event will highlight site remediation – including toxics removal and flood mitigation – along with new trails and amenities, and plans for continued redevelopment.

“We are making tremendous progress in transforming Yorklyn into a residential, commercial, conservation and recreation area, while also removing a century of contamination,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “We are turning the area into a revitalized, vibrant hub of activity that retains its historic character and provides the kinds of amenities that will help drive economic growth while improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

Already completed is the new Yorklyn Bridge Trail, located in the bullseye of the revitalization effort. It will surround a new flood mitigation wetland, which is slated to begin construction later this summer.
The Yorklyn Bridge Trail now also connects to the CC Arts/Snuff Mill Trail, which also will be open to the public on Yorklyn Day. The trail connects the former NVF site with the historic Garrett Snuff Mills and the Center for Creative Arts. The centerpiece of the trail is the restored foundation of one of the Snuff Mills, dating back to the 1800s.
In addition, the Oversee Trail, with beautiful, scenic views, is planned to be open in the next several days.
Coming soon, a connection between the Yorklyn Bridge Trail and the Auburn Heights Trail loop, the first trail section completed in 2012, will be under construction in late summer 2017. This connection will include a renovated historic bridge behind the former Marshall Brothers Paper Mill on Benge Road.

What is not readily seen, but critical in the revitalization effort is the environmental remediation that continues. The former NVF manufacturing facilities in the area of Red Clay Creek are undergoing a massive environmental cleanup of nearly a century of historic contamination in soil, groundwater, sediment and surface water. In the process of remediating harmful contaminants from soils, a series of wetlands and flood mitigation measures will be created to reduce severe flooding that has resulted in significant economic impacts to the valley. In addition, restoration of the cross-stream that flowed through the facility will improve water quality and help to protect fish and other organisms in the Red Clay Creek.

DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances’ Site Investigation and Restoration Section (SIRS) is leading the remediation of the Brownfield site, including removal, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials from inside demolished buildings, removal and disposal of soil containing hazardous levels of zinc and lead, groundwater recovery and treatment, and monitoring of Red Clay Creek surface water and sediments. The private property owner has funded asbestos removal and building demolition. To date, more than 200 tons of contaminated materials have been removed from the interior of demolished buildings.

During the recent soil removal effort dubbed the “Big Dig,” more than 325,000 pounds (over 162 tons) of zinc have been removed from soils beneath the former manufacturing facility that now won’t contaminate the Red Clay Creek. Removing the zinc-contaminated soil eliminates the source of contamination to groundwater, and will thus minimize the time needed to operate the groundwater zinc recovery/treatment system. On average the treatment system recovers 600-700 pounds of zinc per month from the groundwater beneath the site. Since 2008, approximately 75,000 pounds of zinc has been recovered from groundwater and been kept from discharging to Red Clay Creek.

The partnership includes private developers, neighboring organizations and DNREC’s Divisions of Parks & Recreation, Waste & Hazardous Substances, Watershed Stewardship and Water. Partners include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the EPA, local, state and federal legislators, business developers and strong support from neighboring property owners, as well as conservation and recreational organizations in the Yorklyn area. The collaboration is one of the most inventive undertaken in Delaware and serves as a national model for other similar projects.

To date, almost $8 million dollars of state funding has been spent to remediate the site, in addition to $1.6 million from FEMA for property acquisition, more than $800,000 in private loans from EPA and State HSCA funds to assist in asbestos removal and building demolition, and additional private funding for building demolition and restoration of an onsite office building.

Vol. 47, No. 127

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DNREC seeks Delaware students who make a difference in the environment for 2017 Young Environmentalist Awards

DOVER – Do you know a Delaware student who is working to make a difference for the environment? The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is encouraging teachers, classmates, parents, club or group leaders and others whom a youth’s efforts might have impressed to nominate these students for the 2017 Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards. Nominations must be based on actions or projects which have taken place between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, June 23, 2017. A winner will be chosen from each of the following categories:

Elementary for students in grades 1-4
Middle School for students in grades 5-8
High School for students in grades 9-12

The Young Environmentalist program honors Delaware students whose actions have resulted in the protection, restoration or enhancement of Delaware’s natural resources through one or more of the following means:

Demonstrating Environmental Stewardship
Initiating an Innovative Project
Increasing Public Awareness
Demonstrating Environmental Ethics

This is the 24th year for the Young Environmentalist awards program, which was established by colleagues and friends in honor of Dr. Edwin H. Clark II, who served as Secretary of DNREC from 1989 until 1993.

Each category winner will receive a certificate, gift card and prize pack in recognition of his or her contribution to the community.

Winners will be honored in a special ceremony on Governor’s Day at the 2017 Delaware State Fair Thursday, July 27.

Nominations may be submitted by U.S. mail to Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by email to joanna.wilson@delaware.gov.

For more information, including nomination forms, please visit the Young Environmentalist of the Year nominations page or contact Joanna Wilson at 302-739-9902 or email joanna.wilson@delaware.gov.

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

Anglers invited to fish for free in Delaware waters June 3 and 4

DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police to host Youth Fishing Tournament June 3

DOVER – To celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife invites you to fish, crab and clam in any Delaware waters by offering free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4. On these two days, anyone, out-of-staters included, may fish the state’s waters without a fishing license.

Anglers are reminded that even though they don’t need a license to fish on June 3 or 4, they are still required to obtain a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number. A F.I.N. number can be obtained online at www.delaware-fin.com or by calling 800-432-9228. Anglers also are required to comply with Delaware’s fishing regulations, including size and daily catch limits.

National Fishing and Boating Week festivities will also include the Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s 31st Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3. The event will take place at a pond in each county: Ingrams Pond near Millsboro, Akridge Scout Reservation near Camden and the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park near Bear. Participants are asked to arrive before 10 a.m. to register for the tournament.

With the exception of Delaware’s annual free fishing weekend, resident and non-resident anglers from the ages of 16 through 64 who fish, crab or clam in any Delaware waters – including ponds, impoundments, streams, rivers, bays and ocean – are required to purchase a fishing license. Delaware residents 65 or older and both residents and non-residents under age 16 are not required to purchase a license, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they so choose to help support fisheries management. Licenses are required for non-residents age 65 and older.

Delaware fishing licenses cost $8.50 for residents, while non-residents pay $20 a year or $12.50 for a seven-day license. Fishing licenses 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 agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more fishing information, click on 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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

Vol. 47, No. 124

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 15-21

For a safer Memorial Day holiday weekend, don’t drink and boat on Delaware waterways

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 May 15-21 made 2,244 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 187 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 86 citations. Officers responded to 72 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 May 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers hosted a press event to kick off the 2017 National Safe Boating Week, at the Lewes Boat Ramp. The event was attended by members of the USCG, USCG Auxiliary, DNREC’s Deputy Secretary Kara Coats, State Senator Ernie Lopez and State Representative Harvey Kenton.
Previous news release: DNREC kicks off National Safe Boating Week May 20-26 in Lewes

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:
• On May 15, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a water rescue for a person injured in a sailboat accident, near Augustine Beach. The accident is under investigation.

• On May 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jason Watson, 39, of Ellendale for twenty-eight counts of failure to properly display commercial crab pot license number on floats on the Delaware Bay, near Cedar Creek. Watson was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas. He was released on $1,400 unsecured bond.

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Delroy Gooden, 41, of Frederica for disregarding a police officer signal, reckless driving, aggressive driving, three counts of failure when moving right, left or turning to signal continuously, following a motor vehicle too closely, failed to remain within a single lane and three counts of improper lane change as a result of a pursuit on Route 1, near Route 9 exit in Dover. Gooden was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas. He was released on a $1,400 unsecured bond.

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited two individuals for one count each of possession of undersized blue crabs from Roy’s Creek of the Big Assawoman Bay. Arthur E. Sieber, 54, and Ronald T. Cagle, 73, both of Selbyville were fined a total of $214, including court costs and released.

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers began investigating a boating incident that occurred at Swan Keys off of Little Assawoman Bay, near Selbyville that resulted in a fatality. The accident is under investigation.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (8)*, possession of undersized striped bass (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (13), crab pot tampering (1), and over the limit crab pots (1). Commercial: Failure to properly display commercial crab pot license number on floats (28).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), no ramp certificate (1), no boating safety certificate (1), and allow use of a non-compliant vessel (1).

Public Safety Charges: Disregarding a police officer signal (1), reckless driving (1), aggressive driving (1), failure when moving right, left or turning to signal continuously (3), following a motor vehicle too closely (1), failed to remain within a single lane (1), improper lane change (3), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1)*, failure to reinstate license (1)*, operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (1), and park in a no stopping, standing, parking zone (2).

Other: Unlawful to discharge firearm other than to lawfully hunt (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, unlawful to deface or damage land feature (1), littering on a wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, and possession of marijuana (1).

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

Are you AWARE?
During Memorial Day holiday weekend, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that drinking and boating don’t mix – and that boat operators with blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher risk facing charges for operating under the influence (OUI), as well as putting themselves, their passengers and other boaters in Delaware waters at risk.

“Just like driving a road vehicle, operating a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is in violation of Delaware and federal laws,” said Lt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, noting that marine patrols are increased over the holiday weekend to ensure safe boating and public safety. “Boat operators found at or above the legal limit will find their voyage terminated, will be arrested and may have their vessel impounded. Boat operators under the influence also can face fines and potential jail time.”

According to national statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use is a leading contributing factor to fatal boating accidents. Nationally in 2015, 306 accidents involved alcohol use and resulted in 122 deaths and 258 injuries.

“Drinking while boating is a choice. The best way to minimize the risk of an accident is to make the wiser choice – don’t drink and boat,” said Lt. McDerby. “Environmental stressors aboard a boat – such as constant motion, heat, sun glare and dehydration – all enhance the effects of any amount of alcohol. Because of this, we strongly recommend that boat operators not consume alcohol, and we encourage having a non-drinking designated boat operator.”

Other tips for recreational boaters to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend include:
• Exercise patience and courtesy at crowded boat ramps and docks.
• Observe all “Slow No Wake” areas.
• Maintain a lookout for and keep a safe distance from other vessels.
• Avoid traveling at unsafe speeds.
• Keep your speed down and use extra caution in congested areas.
• Make sure children 12 and younger are wearing life jackets while underway as required by law.
• Wear your life jacket and encourage all your passengers 13 and older to wear them also.
• Check navigation lights and make sure to turn them on when operating at night.
• Carry your Boating Education Card and all required safety equipment appropriate for your size vessel.
• Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are considered vessels, and passengers are required to have a life jacket on board and carry a whistle or other sound-producing device. If out after sunset, a flashlight is also required.

Follow 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.

Media contact: Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386.

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