DOVER – Final amendments to the Regulations Governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone, approved Aug. 26 by the Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board (CZICB), have been published in the September Register of Regulations and become effective Sept. 11, 2019, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced today.

HB190, signed into law by Governor John Carney on Aug. 2, 2017, authorized the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to issue permits for construction and operation of new heavy industry uses at 14 existing heavy industry use sites within the state’s Coastal Zone. Like standard Coastal Zone permits, conversion permits require an assessment of the environmental and economic impacts of the proposed conversion.

To begin the process of developing regulations, DNREC Secretary Garvin convened a Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC), comprising various stakeholder groups and chaired by retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice Randy Holland. The committee provided recommendations on a number of issues, including a Sea Level Rise and Coastal Storms Plan, an Environmental Remediation and Stabilization Plan, and evidence of financial assurance. DNREC then held public workshops to gather input on developing regulations for issuing permits.

The committee’s work and recommendations were presented at open houses, where public comments were received. Comments also were submitted to DNREC during a public comment period. The Secretary’s draft regulations and amendments were also presented to the CZICB for approval, as mandated by the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act.

“From the start of the process, DNREC has been committed to developing the regulations governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act Conversion Permit, consistent with the law, in a transparent manner that facilitated and encouraged public input and involvement,” Secretary Garvin said. “The new regulations incorporate recommendations from the RAC, technical experts, and the public that were received throughout the process.”

The regulations provide for Coastal Zone Conversion Permits to return industrial sites to active or more productive use while ensuring the protection of natural resources.

The new Regulations Governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone can be found online at Delaware’s Register of Regulations.

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

Vol. 49, No. 229

-End-

DELAWARE COASTAL CLEANUP VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION TO CLOSE SEPT. 2

DOVER – Volunteers are still needed and encouraged to join the 32nd annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup, to be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 14. Sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the cleanup spans more than 45 sites in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties, including river and ocean shorelines, as well as wetland and watershed areas.

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to preregister at https://de.gov/coastalcleanup to ensure enough supplies are readied for each Cleanup site. Preregistration will close Monday, Sept. 2.

Cleanup sites that still need additional volunteers include:

Kent County
• Big Stone Beach
• Bennetts Pier

Sussex County
• Slaughter Beach
• Lewes Boat Ramp
• Deauville
• South Bethany Beach

Delaware’s Cleanup is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest annual clearing of trash from coastlines, rivers, streams, and lakes by volunteers. Information collected helps identify the source of the debris and focus efforts on eliminating or reducing it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org.

For more information about the Delaware Coastal Cleanup, please contact Joanna Wilson, Delaware Coastal Cleanup coordinator, at 302-739-9902, or joanna.wilson@delaware.gov.

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

Vol. 49, No. 226

SEAFORD – DNREC, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, the City of Seaford, and Friends of the Nanticoke River are seeking volunteers to lend a hand, picking up trash at Williams Pond from 9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, as part of DNREC’s annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup.

Now in its second year, the Williams Pond cleanup is part of DNREC’s Reclaim Our River (ROR) program, acting as a reminder that the ocean is always downstream. ROR is a partnership between DNREC, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Town of Blades, and City of Seaford. The program offers a series of monthly activities that support clean waterways and educate residents on techniques to improve water quality.

Williams Pond empties into the Nanticoke River near Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. Removing trash from the pond and near the park improves water quality, wildlife habitat, and overall health of the ecosystem.

Volunteers can join teams collecting trash from the shoreline and streets. Registered volunteers will receive a free lunch provided by the City of Seaford. The group will meet at Soroptimist Park to sign in and receive supplies, such as gloves and trash bags.

More information can be found at https://nanticokeriver.org/coastalcleanup2019. Questions can be directed to Beth Wasden at 443-944-1175 or bethwasden@nanticokeriver.org

Attendees are encouraged to follow the event at www.facebook.com/NanticokeRiver.

For more information about the 2019 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, which will be held statewide Saturday, Sept. 14, visit https://de.gov/coastalcleanup.

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

Vol. 49, No. 225

U.S. Climate Alliance members issue “Nation’s Clean Car Promise” to address vehicle pollution, climate change

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and 23 other Governors of the U.S. Climate Alliance on Tuesday issued a joint statement announcing the “Nation’s Clean Car Promise” to protect citizens from vehicle pollution and to fight climate change. The following are excerpts from their statement:

“We, the undersigned 24 governors– a bipartisan coalition representing 52 percent of the U.S. population and 57 percent of the economy – stand together in calling for one strong, national clean car standard and support preserving state authority to protect our residents from vehicle pollution. Strong vehicle standards protect our communities from unnecessary air pollution and fuel costs, and they address the largest source of carbon pollution in the United States.

“We commit to continue working together to support a strong national standard and issue the ‘Nation’s Clean Car Promise.’

“We call for a common-sense approach that protects the role of states at the negotiating table and establishes a strong, national standard that:

• Achieves continuous, meaningful annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants while saving consumers money.
• Provides regulatory certainty and enhances the ability to invest and innovate by avoiding extended periods of litigation and instability.
• Preserves good jobs in the auto sector and keeps new vehicles affordable for more Americans.

“Implementing one strong, national standard as outlined in the Nation’s Clean Car Promise is in the best interest of states, automakers and consumers. It also shows the world that America is a leader on transportation and environmental protection. We will not compromise on our responsibility to protect the health of our communities, our climate, and the savings consumers stand to gain at the pump. We will continue to pursue additional concrete actions to fulfill this duty and defend against any threats.”

Click here to read the full statement from the members of the U.S. Climate Alliance.

Related News:

Governor Carney’s Statement on EPA’s Replacement of Clean Power Plan

Governor Carney’s Statement on Repeal of Clean Power Plan

Governor Carney: No Drilling off Delaware’s Coast

Governor Carney Urges EPA to Reconsider Proposal to Freeze Vehicle Emission Standards

Governor Carney Urges U.S. EPA to Reconsider Rollback of Vehicle Emission Standards

DelDOT Adds First Electric Vehicles to Fleet

Governor Carney: EPA can’t let other states pollute Delaware’s air

Delaware Joins U.S. Climate Alliance to Uphold Goals of Paris Agreement

Governor John Carney released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announced its decision to replace the Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy Rule:

“I’m disappointed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to replace the Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, which removes a strong incentive for states and the Federal government to work together to protect and improve air quality.

“Delaware citizens and our economy will be negatively affected by the ACE Rule. Rising average temperatures and prolonged heat waves pose critical health risks to Delaware farmers, outdoor workers, children, and the elderly. Changing climate conditions will increase local levels of particulate matter and ground-level ozone, which increase the risk our residents face of premature death and chronic heart and lung problems, and many of these pollutants are transported from states to the west of us. These threats will only increase if we do not take a stance as a nation and a global community to reduce the human emissions of greenhouse gases that feed rapid climate change.

“We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change and the dangers it poses to all of us.”

###