Fee-free day celebrates Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary

DOVER – People will have a special opportunity June 5 to “Visit Delaware,” for Delaware State Parks’ “Free Day in the Park,” thanks to the Delaware Tourism Office – Visit Delaware. Every state park will be free to enter that day – excluding Fort Delaware, State Line Beach and the Brandywine Zoo.

“Delaware State Parks is celebrating their 65th Anniversary this year as well as being chosen as the recipient for the National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Visit Delaware has made it possible to waive entrance fees on June 5 – 6/5. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get folks out to experience our award-winning parks,” said Ray Bivens, Director of Parks & Recreation.

Park goers can enjoy beaches, rocky trails and everything in between throughout Delaware. For additional fees families can also experience things like zip-lining through the trees or horseback riding at Lums Pond, biking with the Rail Explorers on the Wilmington-Western Railroad through Auburn Heights and much more.

“The state parks system is a scenic and exciting way for visitors to discover what makes Delaware special,” said Delaware Tourism Director Linda Parkowski. “The parks are part of what drew a record 8 million people to the state in 2014. And Visit Delaware’s continued partnership with Delaware State Parks, through programs like the Delaware Outdoor Trail, helps keep that momentum going.”

More information on Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary celebration and the “Free Day in the Park” presented by Visit Delaware can be found at www.destateparks.com/65years.

For more on Visit Delaware, including lists of things to do and ways to plan your next trip, go to VisitDelaware.com.

Media Contact: Caroline Foltz, Enterprise Development Coordinator, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9185, Caroline.Foltz@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 148

DOVER – DNREC Secretary David S. Small has issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty and Secretary’s Order to Waste Management of Delaware, Inc. for violations of Delaware’s Regulations Governing Solid Waste. The Order includes a penalty of $40,000 and $3,660 in cost recovery for the Department.

Waste Management of Delaware, Inc. is licensed to transport solid waste, operating under a Delaware Solid Waste Transporter Permit. Waste Management of Delaware, Inc. owns and operates businesses located at 300 Harvey Drive in Wilmington and at 226 South Railroad Avenue in Georgetown, providing solid waste collection services to residential and commercial customers throughout the state.

Delaware’s Solid Waste Recycling Law (also known as the Universal Recycling Law) requires all waste service providers to collect source-separated recyclable materials in a manner to ensure that the source-separated recyclable materials enter the marketplace and are otherwise not disposed via a landfill or by incineration. The Universal Recycling Law also requires waste service providers to provide their residential trash customers with certain recycling services.

DNREC documented solid waste violations by Waste Management of Delaware, Inc. in Wilmington, Lewes, and Selbyville at various times during 2015. Violations were related to Waste Management’s combining trash and recyclables from separate collection containers into one truck compartment, or by Waste Management not providing curbside recycling service as required by law.

Prior to the Secretary’s Order, DNREC also had issued Waste Management notices of violation (NOVs) in June and October of 2014, and in January this year for failure to provide adequate single-stream recycling collection services to some of its single-family and multi-family residential customers. DNREC also notified Waste Management of Delaware, Inc. of the need to comply with all aspects of the Universal Recycling Law.

The Secretary’s Order can be found on the DNREC website at dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders_Enforcement.aspx.

Waste Management of Delaware, Inc. has 30 days to appeal the Order.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 146

MILLVILLE –This afternoon, DNREC Secretary David Small and Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens were joined by State Senator Gerald Hocker, State Representative Ron Gray, staff from three DNREC Divisions including Fish & Wildlife and Watershed Stewardship, Parks Friends groups and members of the community to cut the ribbon opening a new state-of-the-art dual boat ramp at Holts Landing State Park in Millville. The new ramp provides greatly improved amenities and ease-of-service that will boost recreational opportunities and tourism at the park.

“Storms have repeatedly taken their toll on this locally popular launch site, but the beautiful boat ramp we put into use today will not only repair years of damage, but is expected to double its capacity and improve navigational access through the investment of approximately $775,000 in improvements,” said DNREC Secretary Small. “I’m certain this upgrade will be a welcome and much-used facility by the growing community in this area.”

The removal and replacement of the previous boat ramp took place over the winter to make way for the new dual launch boat ramp with an ADA-accessible floating dock. The newly-constructed ramp will provide 24-hour access for watercraft enthusiasts. Unlike its predecessor, the ramp allows two users to simultaneously launch their vessels into the bay. To improve navigational boating access, DNREC’s Shoreline & Waterway Management Section dredged material from the boat ramp into Indian River Bay, creating a channel 60 feet wide by 4 feet deep that will accommodate boats up to 25 feet in length.

“It’s wonderful to be here on Earth Day to celebrate the completion of this innovative boat ramp, the largest project ever undertaken at Holts Landing State Park,” said Division of Parks & Recreation Director Bivens. “Thanks to the support of our state legislators, DNREC Divisions, Friends groups and the community the new handicap-accessible ramp and floating dock will be available to anglers and the boating public as we being a new season.”

State Senator Gerald Hocker, (R-Ocean View), secured $300,000 in FY2014 state bond bill appropriations that supported the improvements at Holts Landing State Park. “I want to recognize the Friends of Holts Landing State Park and their spirit and energy, in coordinating all of the special events that take place in this beautiful park. This is the first of many more improvements to come, including those that will improve the area’s trail system,” said Sen. Hocker.

“I am thrilled to be able to participate in this event today,” said State Representative Ron Gray, (R-Selbyville), who has worked extensively with the Friends of Holts Landing State Park to bring the project to fruition. “The crews that worked on getting this new boat ramp installed in a timely fashion for our boaters and recreational users should be commended. I also believe the dredging that has been completed to date will again give boaters access to Indian River Bay from Holts Landing. This is a good day for our boating community.”

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation took the lead on the design, permitting and construction of the new ramp, with the assistance of Andrews, Miller & Associates, a consulting firm from Easton, Md. The Division of Fish & Wildlife provided technical assistance, planning for the ramp and assisted with repairs to the original ramp. Construction was completed by MADCORP of Dover.

Holts Landing State Park is considered a “hidden gem” in Delaware’s state parks system. The 203-acre area contains a variety of beautiful landscapes, from Indian River Bayshore beach to grassy fields and hardwood forests. Historically, the shores of the Inland Bays were home to Native Americans, who harvested seafood and hunted in the surrounding marshes and forests. After European settlers arrived, agriculture developed slowly around the “little bays.”

The property that is now Holts Landing State Park has a long recorded history as a small family farm. The Holt family maintained a farm with a Bayshore boat landing on the site until 1957, when the property was sold to the state highway department. Then, in 1965, the first parcel of land was transferred to the State Park Commission, forming Holts Landing State Park.

Media Contacts: Melanie Rapp or Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No.143

DOVER – A new DNREC YouTube Channel video about the redevelopment of the old National Vulcanized Fiber mill in Yorklyn shows how far the remediation of the site has come – and how much remains before it becomes the centerpiece of a model public and private venture environmentally transformed and repurposed as commercial, residential and community space.

In the video, DNREC Environmental Scientist John Cargill narrates a tour of the chemicals NVF released into the environment or left behind in mill processing equipment at a facility that made vulcanized paper product for more than 100 years before going out of business in the late 2000s. DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances’ Site Investigation & Restoration Section is spearheading the cleanup and expects it to be largely completed by the end of year as the Yorklyn site nears destination status with an attractive array of amenities including a brewery, equestrian center and proposed amphitheater as summer home of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.

At a DNREC event April 18 at the NVF site, dignitaries including Governor Jack Markell and DNREC Secretary David Small were joined by business developers, environmental groups, and members of the community in announcing revitalization milestones there. The event also highlighted (as does the new video) site remediation including toxics removal and flood mitigation – along with the newest amenities in Yorklyn and plans for continued redevelopment. More than $5 million in state funds – along with $1.6 million from FEMA for property acquisition, building demolition and site restoration of an office building, and $426,000 from EPA for asbestos removal – so far have gone into the site’s remediation.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 144

Reminder for the week: Boaters urged to check gear before putting vessels in the water

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 Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between April 11-17 made 1,159 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 81 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 39 complaints and issued 16 citations, four 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 April 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Jeffery M. Tisher, 44, of Ellendale, for one count of hunting wild turkeys over a baited area near Ellendale. Tisher was issued a $342 fine, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (1), hunting wild turkeys over a baited area (1), operating a motor vehicle in a closed area on a state wildlife area (2)*, and spinning tires/speed exhibition (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (5), trespassing to fish (2), possession of unlawfully-taken white perch by using a net in a spillway (1), and illegal use of cast net in tidal water within 300 feet of a dam or spillway (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1).

* Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area, plus two citations for unlicensed fishing.

Are you AWARE?
With warm weather finally here, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters to make sure their vessel is ready for a trouble-free day enjoying Delaware’s waterways by performing a pre-departure check. Before hooking up your boat trailer, you should have:

• All current required licenses and registrations, including fishing license(s), boat registration, boating safety certificate and, for vessels registered out-of-state launching at a Division of Fish & Wildlife tidal boat ramp, a boat ramp certificate;
• Enough lifejackets for everyone on board, including children age 12 or younger who are required by Delaware law to wear them; for vessels 16 feet or more in length, a throwable life preserver is also required;
• Checked the local weather forecast;
• Left a float plan with a responsible friend, family member or local marina, including a description of your boat, when you plan to head out, who is going with you, where you plan to go and when you plan to return;
• Checked for working navigation lights, steering and throttle controls;
• Checked oil, fuel and fluid levels;
• Checked for fuel leaks, including hose clamps and connections;Drained all water from the engine compartment or bilge, and replaced and secured the bilge plug;
• A fully charged engine battery and fire extinguishers;
• Emergency flares and a fully charged cell phone or marine radio; and
• Plenty of water to stay hydrated and sunscreen to protect against sunburn, which can be severe on the water.

“Boaters are encouraged to remember the importance of lifejacket use,” added Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Delaware law requires that all children 12 years old and younger aboard a vessel and all personal watercraft operators wear a lifejacket while underway. The law does not require wearing a lifejacket for those age 13 to adult on vessels other than PWCs – but boat owners/operators are required to carry a lifejacket for each person aboard a vessel.”

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including an easy-to-use float plan form, please visit Delaware Boating Safety, or pick up a copy of the Handbook of Delaware Boating Laws and Responsibilities at the DNREC licensing desk. For more on Delaware’s boating laws, please visit Boating Regulations.

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, 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. 142