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

DOVER – DNREC’s Community Involvement Advisory Council (CIAC) will hold an informational public workshop Monday, April 25 to address the ongoing concerns of Harbeson area residents related to improvements to the Allen Harim Foods LLC poultry processing facility’s wastewater treatment plant and other operational issues. The workshop will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Milton Fire Hall, 116 Front Street, Milton, DE 19968.

The workshop was scheduled in response to residents’ concerns that a previous DNREC public hearing about the Allen Harim plant should have been held in Milton, which is closer in proximity to the Harbeson facility, than in Millsboro, where the hearing was held last November. The concerns surfaced in two separate community meetings and caught the attention of local elected officials and Joseph G. Farrell, a Sussex County representative who serves on the CIAC.

According to comments from Mr. Farrell in the CIAC’s December 2015 and February 2016 bi-monthly meetings, questions about the hearing location, along with lingering concerns about environmental issues, might lead the public to question the integrity of the Department and the state’s public hearing process. The CIAC approved a motion from Mr. Farrell to convene a CIAC-sponsored public workshop at the council’s February meeting.

In response to his motion, Mr. Farrell and DNREC staff met directly with leaders of the Harbeson Community Improvement Association to receive their input in planning the April 25 public workshop. That meeting revealed the residents’ concern over operational issues such as odors, plant traffic and debris which could only be experienced by people living near the facility.

James Brunswick, DNREC community ombudsman, said the CIAC is fulfilling its mission by hosting the informational public workshop. He also noted that the workshop is for informational purposes only and the proceedings will not be included in any record associated with DNREC permitting decisions.

DNREC’s Community Involvement Advisory Council is established under 29 Delaware Code 8016A. Among the duties of the Council are to increase the flow of information between communities and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and to facilitate a dialogue among all stakeholders in the decision making process.

Media Contact: James Brunswick, DNREC Community Ombudsman, 302-739-9040

Vol. 46, No. 138

Delawareans choose electric vehicles, save 830,000 pounds CO₂ per year

DOVER – The success of DNREC’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program and high public demand for participation in it led the Division of Energy & Climate to announce today that an additional 100 rebates are being offered for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles purchased or leased in Delaware.

Launched in July 2015, the Clean Transportation Incentive Program has exceeded its goal of 100 vehicle rebate applications from Delaware drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In light of the program’s high demand, 100 more rebates at $2,200 each are now available.

“The vehicles that have been purchased through the rebate program so far represent a savings of 830,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year that would have been emitted into our atmosphere if these drivers had chosen traditional gasoline cars,” said Climate Section Administrator Susan Love, Division of Energy & Climate.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which have a back-up gasoline engine, and battery electric vehicles, which run solely on electricity, have more reliable and typically lower fuel costs compared to gasoline. In addition, battery-electric vehicles produce no tailpipe pollution, leading to cleaner air and a lower carbon footprint.

“Transportation accounts for roughly a third of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Delawareans are embracing electric, plug-in hybrid electric and alternative fuel vehicles as a cleaner, cost-effective way to get around,” Love said. “That means a lot for our public health, our natural resources and our efforts to mitigate climate change.”

Rebate-eligible electric vehicles include the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus Electric, Ford Fusion Energi, Chevy Volt, BMW i3, Tesla Model S and other options. Battery-electric vehicles such as the BMW i3, Chevy Spark and Nissan Leaf can drive about 80 miles on one charge, making them a viable option both for frequent local travel and some commutes.

Drivers in all three counties have applied for and received Delaware clean vehicle rebates, and dealerships across the state have partnered with DNREC to help inform and engage Delawareans. Partnering dealers are: AutoTeam Delaware, Wilmington; Diver Chevrolet, Wilmington; Sheridan Ford, Wilmington; Sheridan Nissan, New Castle; Bayshore Ford, New Castle; Porter Auto Group, Newark; Willis Chevrolet Buick, Smyrna; Willis Ford, Smyrna; and I.G. Burton, Milford.

Clean Transportation Grants and Rebates
In addition to vehicle rebates, the Delaware Clean Transportation Incentive Program also includes grant and rebate opportunities for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware by promoting propane, electric and natural gas vehicles – collectively known as alternative fuel vehicles – and related infrastructure. Alternative fuel vehicles can meet the needs of drivers of all types of vehicles, from everyday four-door sedans and pick-up trucks to vans, dump trucks and heavy-duty tractor trailers.

In addition to state rebates and funding opportunities for vehicles and charging/fueling equipment, manufacturer rebates and federal funding opportunities and tax incentives also may be available.

For more information about funding available through Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program, visit de.gov/cleantransportation.

Fueling the Future Conference and Ride-and-Drive Event
Interested transportation professionals and state partners can learn about and experience alternative fuel vehicles firsthand at Fueling the Future: Clean Transportation for a Greener Delaware, a one-day conference and ride-and-drive event on Tuesday, May 24 at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. Expert panels will discuss the mechanics and benefits of alternative fuel vehicles for businesses, fleets, shipping and other transportation needs. In the afternoon ride-and-drive component, attendees will have the opportunity to drive alternative fuel vehicles, and ride in alternative fuel commercial vehicles.

To register, visit de.gov/fuelingthefuture. Registration is open through Wednesday, May 11.

Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is a market-based emissions trading program designed to reduce emissions from the electricity generation sector. Delaware’s proceeds from RGGI are invested in energy efficiency, renewable energy, emissions reductions programs and programs that benefit energy consumers. In addition to providing funds, RGGI encourages innovation, growing a clean energy economy and creating green jobs.

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

Vol. 46, No. 140

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 in DNREC’s auditorium at the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. NOTE: The start time for this and future meetings of the council has been changed to 7 p.m.

Agenda items are:

• Approval of minutes
• Quail season(s) and harvest
• Nanticoke River largemouth bass research
• DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife director’s update

For questions on the Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish, contact the Wildlife Section of the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-729-9912.

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

Vol. 46, No. 139