Reclaim Our River Program to hold third annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta Aug. 6 on Nanticoke River

BLADES – The third annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta – presented by the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program, the Town of Blades and the Nanticoke River Sail & Power Squadron – will cast off on Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park, 26 N. Market Street, Blades, DE 19973. Sign-in and registration begin at noon, with judging of boats’ appearances at 1 p.m. and races starting at 2 p.m.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is open to anyone who can build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it approximately 200 yards to the regatta finish line. First-place awards will be given for winners of races in four different categories: individual, family, clubs and businesses, and non-profits and government organizations.

Boats may be any size, shape or design, but must be made of recycled cardboard. They may (and should) be painted with multiple coats of any one-part polyurethane or enamel paint. Special awards will be given for “Best Constructed Boat,” “Best Decorated Boat,” “Best Team Effort” and “Most Whimsical Boat.” Decorations may be removed after judging, prior to the race start. Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner, while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the best and “Most Dramatic Sinking!”

Participants can register the day of the event, but are encouraged to start building their boats as well as registering early for a discounted fee of $20. Registration fee the week of the event, July 31-Aug. 6, will be $30. Participants are encouraged to challenge others to race in the cardboard regatta and can do so by choosing the challenge option during registration to ensure both parties will be in the same race.

During the event, attendees can enjoy music, grilled and baked foods as well as snacks and beverages from the Mt. Olivet Church, and find information from the Reclaim Our River (ROR) partnership on how to protect Delaware’s waterways.

The ROR partnership also welcomes event sponsors with proceeds going toward event costs, river restoration and water quality education. Sponsorships begin at $50.

More information, rules, flyer and an event entry form are available at Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta, or by contacting Matt Babbitt at mailto:matt@delnature.orgor 302-422-0847, Ext.102.

A video from the past two years of the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDqFDY7eQWU

The Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

CONTACT: Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, 302-672-1149, or philip.miller@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 247


DNREC accepting grant proposals for wastewater and surface water project planning through August 4

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship and the office of Environmental Finance are now accepting project proposals from state, county and municipal governments and governmental subdivisions for matching grants for wastewater and surface water project planning. Proposals must be received by close of business (4:30 p.m.), Thursday, Aug. 4.

Eligible projects include planning, preliminary engineering and feasibility analysis of: wastewater projects; stormwater retrofits; green technology practices; stream and wetland restoration projects; small watershed studies; master surface water and drainage plans; and other source water pollution control projects.

Grant applications of up to $50,000 will be considered with a 1:1 cash match requirement. Up to 10 percent of the grant funds may be used for administrative costs. There is an annual cumulative grant award cap of $100,000 per successful applicant per fiscal year.

The Wastewater and Surface Water Matching Planning Grant programs are set-asides in the State’s Clean Water Revolving Fund. Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council through a competitive grant process. New for this grant cycle are insurance requirements of the grant recipient.

For a Wastewater Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online by clicking Wastewater Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email (less than 10 megabytes) to Greg.Pope@delaware.gov.

For a Surface Water Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online at Surface Water Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email (less than 10 MB) to James.Sullivan@delaware.gov.

For more information, please contact Greg Pope, DNREC Environmental Finance, at 302-739-9941 or Jim Sullivan, Division of Watershed Stewardship, at 302-739-9922.

Contact: Melanie H. Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902                      

Vol. 46, No. 245


Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to hold public hearing July 6 on interstate fishery management plan for Atlantic menhaden

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will host an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) public hearing on a draft addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden at 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 6 in the DNREC Auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The draft addendum proposes modifying the current plan’s bycatch allowance provision by allowing two licensed commercial fishermen to harvest up to 12,000 pounds of menhaden bycatch when working from the same vessel and fishing with stationary, multi‐species gear, limited to one vessel trip per day. Bycatch represents less than 2 percent of the total coastwide landings.

The practice of two licensed commercial fishermen working together from the same vessel to harvest Atlantic menhaden primarily occurs in the Chesapeake Bay pound net fishery. This practice enables the fishermen to pool resources for fuel and crew. However, the practice is currently constrained by the plan’s bycatch allowance provision, which includes a 6,000 pound per vessel per day limit. The ASMFC is seeking comment on whether the provision should be revised to accommodate the interests of fixed‐gear fishermen who work together, as authorized by the states and jurisdictions in which they fish.

The intent of the draft addendum is to add flexibility to one element of the bycatch allowance provision while the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board, of which Delaware is a member, prepares to address menhaden management more comprehensively through the development of an additional addendum to the plan over the next two years.

Anglers and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the draft addendum either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The draft addendum is posted at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/573dd50fAtlMenhadenDraftAddendumI_PublicComment_May2016.pdf or on the Commission’s website, www.asmfc.org, under Public Input.

Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2016 and should be sent to Megan Ware, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite A‐N, Arlington, VA 22201; faxed to 703-842-0741 or emailed to mware@asmfc.org (Subject line: Draft Addendum I).

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

Vol. 46, No. 246


Grand prize winner and youth finalists announced for DNREC’s 2016 rain barrel art contests

DOVER – Rain barrels that won distinction from DNREC for the artists whose creativity went into them in the Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Rain Barrel Painting Contest have been announced, and are now on display at the Delaware Agricultural Museum – preeminent among them this year’s grand prize-winning entry in the adult division by Nathan Zimmerman.

DNREC sponsors the rain barrel painting contest and a youth competition annually to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce rainwater runoff and improve water quality. Twenty participants were chosen to give their artistic touch to the contest based on their applications, design ideas and site placements for their barrels. Individuals or teams chosen to participate in the contest each received a fully-assembled, primed 55-gallon plastic barrel, topcoat and bubble wrap; the artists supplied their own paint, brushes and other materials or tools. They were given five weeks to finish their artistry and submit final photographs and information about their work, as well as a short biography of themselves.

Nathan Zimmerman’s grand-prize winner, “Early to Rise at Sundown,” depicting a barred owl perched over water (adjacent photo) will be on display at the DNREC building during the Delaware State Fair and finally will be in use at Woodburn, the Governor’s Residence in Dover. Mr. Zimmerman, an artist from Milton, also provided narrative about his winning rain barrel: “Often heard caterwauling from the tree tops, the barred owl is a resident of treed swamps and mature forests and is the perfect embodiment of a watershed warrior. Whether while working at Trap Pond State Park or hunting along Bundicks Branch the barred owl has always put a smile on my face when the ‘noise’ starts. The background was inspired by the countless sunsets I’ve watched while hunting in the marshes along the Broadkill River.”

Other finalists included:

  • Artist: Diane Buckingham
    Title: “Holding the Key.”
    Description: “My design illustrates the flow of water through all of earth’s Biosystems, the interconnectedness and interdependency of all life on water, with man ultimately holding the key to its health or detriment.”
  • Artist: Lynn Patrice Farina
    Title: “Butterflies and Flowers”
    Description: “I painted my rain barrel depicting Delaware native plants and butterflies. I painted watering cans on the rain barrel to show how a rain barrel can be used to water plants in an economic and environmentally friendly way. Native flowers painted on the rain barrel include: Awned Meadow Beauty, Swamp Rose Mallow, Nodding Bur Marrigold, Trumpet Creeper, Cardinal Flower and Showy Aster. Native butterflies painted on the rain barrel include: Viceroy, Kings Hairstreaks, Clouded Sulpher, and Orangetips.
  • Artist: Bruce McKinney
    Title: “Sweetwater”
    Description: “The title of this year’s rain barrel ‘Sweetwater’ is a simplistic entry for what else? – a rain barrel. It represents the needs for humans to incorporate this system in your home or business for wildlife. According to the National Wildlife Federation, humans extract water from the ground and as a result, the water table may drop, damaging habitats miles away. Here it is represented by a raccoon in your empty rain barrel in search of water.”
  • Artist: Donna Reed
    Title: “Playing in the Rain”
    Description: “Playing in the Rain evokes the joys of childhood and an innocent appreciation of nature. Featuring two children splashing puddles in a field of flowers; this barrel was painted in the rain to help blend the colors and cause the drips to run down. Rain water was used to thin the paints. Eight rain poems were written by Wilson School students as part of a poetry unit and in support of our school garden.”

In the youth division five finalists have been chosen from online voting, with the Grand Prize winner to be voted on and announced at the Delaware State Fair. Youth finalists included:

  • Delmarva Christian School – (Sophia Birl, Savannah Stewart, Chloe Wilson)
    Title: “Reign of the Sea”
    Description: “The reason we chose an underwater design for our rain barrel is because we want to inspire people to help save our waterways.”
  • Maclary Elementary – 4th Grade (Alec Ciesinski, Owen Reazor, Alex Ozor)
    Title: “United States of Water”
    Description: “Our barrel symbolizes America using a collage of national symbols. We changed these images to show the importance of conserving water. The wings of the eagle, our national symbol, represent the American flag, and each of the fifty stars is represented as a water droplet. The Statue of Liberty, an American landmark, is holding a simple water bottle instead of a torch. We believe that rain barrels should be used nationwide.”
  • Maclary Elementary – 4th Grade (Jordan Short, Katrina Endres, Ella Baldwin, Olivia Kessler)
    Title: “Nature Preservers”
    Description: “Our barrel represents nature’s beauty with and without water. What inspired us to come up with the theme of “Nature Preservers” is how we have the privilege of having almost unlimited water – or at least we think we do, but we don’t! The more water we use, the less water we have, and the less beautiful our environment becomes. So when we use rain barrels we are giving back to our community.”
  • Rachel Santos – Phillip C. Showell Elementary
    Title: “Mrs. Minion”
    Description: “All of my friends talk about Minions. I know that everyone loves Minions, so that is why I drew Mrs. Minion.”
  • Kara Scarangella – Saint Thomas More Academy
    Title: Tiki – H2O Progenitor
    Description: “My water barrel represents a Tiki Totem Pole showing a water god with the word ‘water’ within its mouth. This uses the Polynesian culture to show a Tiki – H2O progenitor (‘to bring forth’) of water for the people and to show how to use it in a responsible way. Inspiration used for this water barrel is the totem pole in Bethany.”

For more information about the rain barrel painting contests, including photos of the entries, please click 2016 Rain Barrel Art Contest. For more information on the contests, please contact Sara Wozniak at sara.wozniak@delaware.gov or 302-382-0335.

What is a Rain Barrel? A rain barrel is a container that collects and stores the water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and washing your car. Rain barrels help lower your water bills, particularly in the summer months by collecting thousands of gallons of water a year. Rain barrels are also important for our environment because they help reduce water pollution by decreasing the amount of stormwater runoff reaching our streams and rivers. An average rainfall of one inch within a 24-hour period can produce more than 700 gallons of water that run off a typical house. Such stormwater runoff picks up anything on the ground such as litter, excess fertilizer, pet waste, and motor oil, transporting it to storm drains that dump the untreated water directly into our waterways.

Contact: Phil Miller, DNREC Watershed Assessment and Management Section, 302-739-9939 or philip.miller@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 244


Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 20-26

Reminder for the week: Observe safety precautions when towing water skiers

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, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between June 20-26 made 1,696 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 169 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 43 complaints and issued 30 citations, one of which was 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 June 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Gerard M. Centofanti, 68, of Reading, Pa., Todd Sheridan, 51, of Thomasville, Pa., John Krinex, 70, of Ellenton, Fla., and Bradley Sheridan, 73, of Spring Grove, Pa., for one count each of recreational crab pot tampering on Vines Creek in Indian River Bay. The four men were fined $107 each, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1)*, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (6), recreational crab pot tampering (4), use of recreational crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (5), and possession of undersized summer flounder (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of lifejackets (2), no lifejackets on water skiers (2), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (3), operating an unregistered vessel (1), no fire extinguisher (1), and no boating education certificate (1).

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

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters of some important safety regulations when towing water skiers.

“Water skiing is a three-person sport – the water skier, the boat operator and the observer,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police boating safety coordinator. “Under Delaware law, any vessel towing a water skier must have a person aboard other than the operator to act as the observer. To ensure the skier’s safety, the observer faces backwards, watches the skier and alerts the boat operator of any hand signals from the skier or if the skier goes down.”

Other safety requirements for water skiing:

  • Recreational water skiers must wear lifejackets.
  • A water skiing tow line cannot exceed 75 feet in length.
  • Observe all “Slow-No Wake” areas.
  • Avoid traveling at unsafe speeds, including congested areas.
  • If water skiing or tubing behind a personal watercraft (PWC), the PWC must have the capacity to legally carry the operator, observer and the person being towed.
  • Observe marked “No Water Skiing” areas, which include all marked swimming areas, Assawoman Canal, Indian River Inlet, Roosevelt Inlet, Whites Creek, a portion of the channel through Masseys Landing and portions of the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal.
  • Maintain a safe and reasonable distance from shipping lanes, other vessels, persons and property.
  • Water skiing is prohibited at night between sunset and sunrise, and within 100 feet of persons in the water, piers, docks, floats, wharfs, vessels anchored or adrift and private or public boat launch ramps.

For more information, please visit Delaware Boating Safety.

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.

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

Vol. 46, No. 243