DOVER – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will be accepting public comments on proposed fees for coastal zone conversion permits required under the Coastal Zone Act from Monday, Dec. 2 through close of business Tuesday, Dec. 31. Comments may be emailed to CZA_Program@delaware.gov.

The fees, set by DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, apply to conversion permit applications, conversion permit modifications and annual cost of issued conversion permits. The fee for a conversion permit application is $15,000 and the fee for a conversion permit modification is $5,000. Additionally, the annual fee for coastal zone conversion permit holders is $1,500, to cover costs related to the required annual review of financial assurance and environmental offsets, as applicable, as well as other reviews over the life of the permit.

The Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act authorized DNREC to issue permits for construction and operation of new heavy industry uses at 14 existing former heavy industry use sites within the state’s coastal zone, and to set fees for those permits. Coastal zone conversion permits allow sites to return to active or more productive uses while ensuring the protection of natural resources.

DNREC’s CZA Program, within the Division of Coastal, Climate, & Energy, evaluated actual direct costs and estimated staff costs that will be necessary to evaluate and administer conversion permits, initially and on an ongoing basis. These fees approximate and reasonably reflect the costs necessary to defray the expenses related to this new permit.

For more information, including questions concerning the fees or requirements for obtaining a coastal zone conversion permit, contact Laura Mensch, DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, at 302-739-9283, or visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/coastal-zone-act/conversion-permits/.

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

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Dover — DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will auction Low-Digit Surf Fishing Tags starting Black Friday, Nov. 29 at www.usgovbid.com.

Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 11, bidders will have the option to bid on 10 tags, including tags 36, 63, 125 and 225, and on six “choice” categories, ranging from tags 51 to 9999. The highest bidder in each choice category can choose a number, if not already sold, within that category.

The minimum bid for a surf fishing tag is $250. By state law, surf-fishing tags numbered 1 through 200 are limited to vehicles registered in Delaware.

The auction of low-numbered plates was authorized by the Delaware General Assembly and allows DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation to auction low-digit tags to the highest bidder. All proceeds directly benefit Delaware State Parks, which is 65 percent self-funded.

For more information visit www.destateparks.com/LowDigitTags or www.usgovbid.com or by phone at 302-739-9200.

Media Contact: Shauna McVey, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, 302-739-9220

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Cpl. Andrew Manning of Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Police, and 6-year-old zoo visitor Huxley Young prepare to add presents to the Toys for Tots donation box at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington. Secretary Garvin and DNREC Natural Resources Police officers gathered at the zoo today to encourage the public to donate toys as gifts to less fortunate children at DNREC locations statewide by Dec. 12/ DNREC photo: Joanna Wilson

DOVER – DNREC Natural Resources Police units from Delaware State Parks, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Environmental Crimes Unit within DNREC’s Division of Community Affairs have teamed up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program to provide toys for children in local communities for the holidays.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys suitable for boys and girls of all ages, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in communities nationwide.

Toys will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 12 at the following drop-off locations:
• All Delaware State Park offices statewide, including the Brandywine Zoo, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Natural Resources Police office in Sussex County at 23530 Campbell Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Environmental Crimes Unit offices at 715 Grantham Lane, New Castle, DE 19720, and 97 Commerce Way, Suite 106, Dover, DE 19904, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• DNREC Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Various locations and events throughout the state attended by Natural Resources Police officers.

For more information, or for the dates and locations of upcoming events where toys can be donated, please contact Delaware State Parks Cpl. Andy Manning at andrew.manning@delaware.gov or 302-855-2113, Sgt. Brooke Mitchell at brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov or 302-739-9913, or PFC Rebecca Schuman, at Rebecca.schuman@delaware.gov, or 302-739-9401.

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

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Reminder for the week: Happy Thanksgiving hunting reminders

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Nov. 18-24 made 1,433 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 17 citations. Officers responded to 61 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers concluded multiple trespassing to hunt investigations, resulting in two separate arrests of individuals charged with hunting and trespassing on closed Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) properties as described in a press release.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), unlicensed hunting (1), trespass to hunt (1), and wildlife area map violation – hunting on a Sunday in an area of Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area closed to Sunday hunting (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Commercial: Possession of undersized oyster (1).

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (1), possession, purchase, ownership, or control of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited (1), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1), possession of marijuana – civil (1), and driving without using headlights (1)*.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

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. The Public are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

For those who will be hunting this holiday, please remember the following:

• Waterfowl hunters should check their hunting gear bags, coats, boats, and any other gear to make sure that they are not carrying any lead shot left over from deer or other hunting seasons.
• After harvesting a deer, an appropriate tag must be attached to the animal before it is field dressed or moved from the place of harvest.
• All successful deer hunters must register their deer within 24 hours of harvest.
• Prior to registering a deer, hunters may not cut the meat or remove any part of the deer except the internal organs.
• If you have an emergency, call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24 hour dispatch line at 302-739-4580.

For more information on the 2019/2020 hunting seasons – including hunter education, licensing, hunting and trapping seasons, limits, regulations, wildlife area information, and more, with sections devoted to deer, small game, turkey, and migratory birds – click on 2019/2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.

Multiple opening waterfowl hunting seasons run into January

DOVER – Numerous Delaware hunting and trapping seasons open in December, including multiple waterfowl seasons that extend into or through January, coinciding with the influx of a variety of migratory waterfowl for the winter, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Many other hunting and trapping seasons provide opportunities to enjoy the winter outdoors as temperatures drop and provide favorable hunting and trapping conditions.

Hunting seasons opening in December:

• Beaver: Dec. 2 – March 20, 2020, private land only
• Woodcock and common snipe: Dec. 7 – Jan. 21, 2020
• Antlerless deer: Dec. 14 – 22, including all Sundays*
• Waterfowl (ducks, coots, and mergansers): Dec. 13 – Jan. 31, 2020
• Brant: Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, 2020
• Canada geese (migratory): Dec. 21 – Jan. 21, 2020

*Archery and crossbow hunters may NOT take antlered deer during the December antlerless deer season.

Trapping seasons opening in December:

• Red fox, coyote: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020
• Muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, nutria:
  • New Castle County: Dec. 1 – March 10, 2020 (March 20 on embanked meadows)
  • Kent and Sussex counties: Dec. 15 – March 15, 2020
• Beaver: Dec. 1 – March 20, 2020

Continuing hunting seasons include:

• Bobwhite quail: through Jan. 4, 2020
• Sea ducks in the special sea duck area: through Jan. 31, 2020 (See page 30 of the hunting guide for more information about the special sea duck area.)
• Tundra swan: through Jan. 31, 2020, by permit only, issued via pre-season lottery
• Snow goose: through Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020
• Mourning dove: through Jan. 31, 2020
• Ring-necked pheasant (male only): through Feb. 1, 2020
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 1, 2020
• Archery and crossbow deer: through Feb. 2, 2020, including all Sundays
• Cottontail rabbit: through Feb. 29, 2020
• Red fox (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020
• Coyote (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020
• Raccoon & opossum (hunt): through Feb. 29, 2020*
• Crow: through March 31, 2020 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays only)
• Red fox (chase) through April 30, 2020**
• Groundhog: through June 30, 2020 (open year-round)

*Raccoon and opossum may be hunted from 7 p.m. until midnight during the December and January firearm deer seasons.
**Red fox chase season closed during December antlerless season.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at Wildlife Area Hunting Maps.

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp. More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN or HIP number, hunters can go to Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or call toll free 1-855-335-4868. For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird stamp is also required to hunt waterfowl.

To purchase a hunting license, either in person or online, hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter safety course starting in 2008 can print their hunter safety card by going to http://de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter safety course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a CAP, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at Federal duck stamps.

For more information on hunting, click 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of the guide and hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and the Conservation Access Pass is also available by calling the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

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