DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is seeking volunteer bat spotters to help in locating and counting the state’s bat colonies for the annual Delaware Bat Count. A training session for volunteers will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the Aquatic Resources Education Center, 4876 Hay Point Landing Road, Smyrna, DE 19977. Weather-permitting, the session will be followed by a visit to a bat maternity colony site for a count demonstration from 7:30-9 p.m. Preregistration for the training is requested and can be done by contacting Alex Heinemann at 302-735-8676 or alexandra.heinemann@delaware.gov.

The Delaware Bat Count is a statewide study documenting population trends and bats that breed in our state. The bat program is always looking for reports of new bat colonies, and for volunteers interested in being part of this important research program. Once volunteers adopt a site, they are asked to count the bats at least twice during the summer.

Delaware is home to nine species of bats, several of which have begun their annual move from winter hibernation sites to summer maternity colonies. Female bats return to their colonies pregnant, and then congregate to give birth and raise their pups. In Delaware, these colonies often take up residence in barns, garages, attics, bat boxes and homes.

Bats feed at night on insects, including many pest species such as mosquitoes. Some eat moths and beetles that damage crops. A study published in Science magazine suggests that bats could be one of the most economically-valuable groups of wildlife to North American farmers, saving them at least $3.7 billion annually by reducing the amount of pesticides needed.

“They’re providing us with a valuable and free service, so it’s to our benefit to have them around,” said Wildlife Biologist Holly Niederriter, Division of Fish & Wildlife.

Even though bats play an important role in our ecosystem, they are often unwanted visitors to homes and outbuildings. A bat exclusion from the building or structure may be warranted in such situations.

It is crucial that bat exclusions be completed before May 15 – when mother bats typically start giving birth – to prevent trapping flightless young inside a building and permanently separating the mothers from their pups, which cannot survive on their own.

For a list of permitted wildlife control operators who can conduct bat exclusions, visit apps.dnrec.state.de.us/NuisanceWildlife/Search.aspx. To review the “Best Management Practices” for excluding bats, go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/bats/ and check out the “Bats In Buildings” section.

To report a bat colony, or for more information on becoming a bat spotter or on proper bat exclusions, please contact Alex Heinemann or Holly Niederriter at 302-735-8651, or email alexandra.heinemann@delaware.gov or holly.niederriter@delaware.gov.

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

Vol. 46, No. 130

DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has adopted interim emergency sediment and stormwater management regulations – in effect reinstating the 2014 regulations invalidated today by Delaware’s Supreme Court, with the high court’s opinion upholding a Superior Court decision issued last fall. DNREC’s action today also adopts supporting technical materials as interim regulations, consistent with the Court’s ruling.

The technical materials for Delaware’s sediment and stormwater regulations include design and construction standards and specifications intended to assist in complying with the regulations. This action by DNREC will allow development projects to move forward through the review and approval process, which was established for reducing potential impacts from flooding and protecting public health, safety and welfare.

Neither of the two courts’ opinions provided specific guidance on how DNREC should review plans in the absence of a regulatory standard. Following the Superior Court’s decision last fall, DNREC adopted the 2014 regulations and technical documents through emergency action, until a stay was issued by the Superior Court. DNREC is following the same path today in order to allow projects currently under review to continue toward approval.

“We are obviously disappointed with the Court’s opinion, and are compelled to adopt emergency regulations to maintain certainty of the process, enabling us to continue to review and approve plans and allow landowners, developers, contractors and homeowners to maintain schedules and commitments to customers, lenders, agencies and others involved in these important projects,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Engineers, system designers and developers have repeatedly expressed their desire to see flexible standards that can be amended quickly if newer, cheaper and more efficient best practices are identified. Unfortunately this ruling will prevent those changes from happening more quickly, as they will have to go through the regulatory process, which may take many months to complete.”

Although some have argued that DNREC should revert to previous versions of the regulations, the Supreme Court’s opinion was silent on the matter, as was the earlier ruling by Superior Court. However, many projects submitted under the 2014 regulations would not meet standards under the previous 2006 version of the regulation and would need to be redesigned. In addition, prior regulations were implemented in conjunction with supporting technical materials, a practice criticized by the Superior Court in its original opinion last October.

The interim regulations, adopted under the state’s Administrative Procedures Act, will be in effect for 120 days and may be extended for an additional 60 days. During the effective period of the emergency regulations, DNREC will continue to work with the Regulatory Advisory Committee, which DNREC convened late last year, on changes to the sediment and stormwater regulations and technical standards. Any changes will be subject to public hearing under the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.

“We remain committed to a thorough, open and rigorous review of the regulation and technical standards,” said Secretary Small. “We have already made good progress with the Committee in identifying measures that can bring additional flexibility to stormwater management and I remain optimistic that, working together, we can find solutions that protect our precious water resources and at the same time address the concerns of other agencies, local government and the development community.”

Delaware’s sediment and stormwater management regulations are a vital tool in the state’s efforts to improve water quality and protect public health, safety and property from flooding. Under federal law, Delaware is required to have a valid erosion and sedimentation program in place for all construction activities, and Delaware’s erosion and sedimentation program must have enforceable regulations in place to be valid.

The Delaware stormwater management program was adopted in response to specific policy findings enacted into law;:“The General Assembly further finds that accelerated stormwater runoff increases flood flows and velocities, contributes to erosion, sedimentation, and degradation of water quality, overtaxes the carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the costs of public facilities in carrying and controlling stormwater, undermines flood plain management and flood control efforts in downstream communities, reduces groundwater recharge, and threatens public health, welfare, and safety.”

The order adopting interim stormwater and sediment regulations can be found on the DNREC website at dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders_Regulations.aspx

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

Vol. 46, No. 131

Reminder for the week: Prepare for the season by signing up for a boating safety course

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 4-10 made 680 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including three vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 22 complaints and issued 10 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Incidents of note:

• On April 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Clyde W. Jenkins, 63, of Bishopville, Md., for one count of possession of river herring during a closed season from Broad Creek at the Records Pond dam in Laurel. Jenkins was issued a $107 fine, including court costs.
• On April 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Michael A. Mccrea, 49, of Greenwood, for one count of possession of river herring during a closed season at Craigs Pond near Seaford. Mccrea was issued a $107 fine, including court costs.
• On April 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Michael A. Middleton, 18, of Delmar, for one count of possession of river herring during a closed season at Portsville Pond near Laurel. Middleton was issued a $107 fine, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (4), possession of river herring during a closed season (3), and possession of hickory shad during season closure (1).

Are you AWARE?
With spring finally in the air – and as part of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) “Spring Aboard” campaign for boating education – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters to prepare for boating season by enrolling in a boating safety course through Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety and Education.

Courses cover the rules and regulations of Delaware’s waterways, including: appropriate speed limits; responsible boating skills and awareness; how to distinguish navigational aids and water depths; weather tips; information about basic engine mechanics; required and/or recommended safety equipment; what to do if a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer stops your vessel, and the dangers of boating under the influence.

Delaware’s 8-hour basic boating safety course, which fulfills Delaware’s mandatory boating safety requirement, is offered in multiple locations statewide in one to four sessions. Upon completing the course, boaters receive a boating safety certificate, which they must carry with them while boating as proof of course completion.

Several providers also offer a Delaware-approved online version of the boating safety course. As an added incentive during NASBLA’s “Spring Aboard” campaign, BOATERExam.com will offer a 50-percent discount to students who complete their online boating safety course between April 17 and 23. For more information, visit www.boaterexam.com/usa/.

Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety and Education also provides volunteer instructors to private and non-profit organizations, schools, clubs and the general public to educate boaters on skills and seamanship and to encourage them to be safe, knowledgeable and responsible.

For more information, including Delaware’s boating safety course schedule, access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook and other boating information, please click Delaware Boating Safety, or contact Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police boating safety coordinator, at 302-739-9913 or email john.mcderby@delaware.gov.

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. 129

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will host a public open house to enable the public to comment on the latest update of the Auburn Valley Master Plan, which outlines proposed strategies for the former NVF site in Yorklyn and surrounding areas.

The open house will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 18, at the Center for Creative Arts, 410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn, DE 19736.

In 2011, DNREC worked with the community and several partners to create the Auburn Valley Master Plan, a unified vision for Yorklyn and its surrounding areas. That version of the master plan outlined several options for redevelopment of the former NVF site and showed conceptual trail connections to the surrounding community.

Since then, DNREC has continued to work with partners and neighboring properties on designs and refinements of key components of the plan, and is now ready to solicit comments from the public at the open house.

Visitors at the open house are invited to view the proposed plan and provide comments to DNREC program staff.
For more information on the open house, contact Matt Chesser, Division of Parks & Recreation, 302-739-9235 or matthew.chesser@delaware.gov.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No.124

DOVER – In honor of Earth Day, volunteers are needed to assist with planting native tree seedlings in pots from 9 – 11 a.m., Saturday, April 23 at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901. More than 500 seedlings – including loblolly pine, tulip poplars and red and silver maples – will be planted in pots by volunteers, then cared for in a greenhouse by Reserve staff until ready to go into the ground this fall for a restoration project.

“On National Estuaries Day (Sept. 24), these seedlings will be planted at the Blackbird Creek Reserve, north of Smyrna,” said Maggie Pletta, education coordinator with the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR), which includes the St. Jones and Blackbird Creek Reserves. “By putting the seedlings in pots now and then planting them as more mature seedlings in the future, we’re promoting volunteer participation in habitat stewardship by preserving an ecologically-valuable area along the Delaware Bayshore.”

While garden trowels will be provided for working with the seedlings, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves. The potting event will be held outdoors, and volunteers asked to dress appropriately for the weather and in clothing conducive to a dirty job. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to participate, and those between the ages of 13 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Preregistration for the event to pot seedlings at the St. Jones Reserve is required by contacting Maggie Pletta at 302-739-6377 or Margaret.Pletta@delaware.gov. Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance to ensure that enough potting materials are available on the day of the event.

For information on the Reserve’s volunteer program and other happenings there, please visit de.gov/dnerr or find us on Facebook at Delaware NERR.

The St. Jones Reserve and the Blackbird Creek Reserve are two components of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR), a cooperative program between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Coastal Programs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves protecting over 1.3 million acres of coastal and estuarine habitat across the country, DNERR serves as a place-based living laboratory and classroom to support local coastal research and long-term monitoring while advancing estuary literacy and generating meaningful experiences for all kinds of people interested in learning about, protecting and restoring the Delaware’s estuarine and coastal areas.

This project is part of DNREC’s Bayshore Initiative, a landscape approach to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat, increase volunteer participation in habitat stewardship projects, enhance low-impact outdoor recreation and ecotourism opportunities, and promote associated environmentally compatible economic development. For more information, click Delaware Bayshore.

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

Vol. 46, No. 125