An American shad. The upcoming Tidal Finfisheries Council meeting will offer an update on
a potential shad hatchery on the Brandywine River /Delaware DNREC graphic: Duane Raver, Jr.

Delaware’s Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries will hold a hybrid public meeting to discuss tidal finfish management issues at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The in-person meeting will be at DNREC’s Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover. The virtual meeting can be accessed via the DNREC Events Calendar webpage.

The Tidal Finfisheries Council will discuss the Nanticoke American Shad hatchery and the potential for an American Shad hatchery on the Brandywine River. Additional topics include updates on Delaware’s volunteer tagging project, fishing regulations, fishery management actions and other tidal finfish matters.

For general meeting information, including the meeting agenda, and instructions on attending the meeting virtually, visit the DNREC Events Calendar webpage.

For more information, call the DNREC Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov 

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The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold its annual auction of low-digit surf fishing plates starting Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 9 a.m., at usgovbid.com. The online auction benefits Delaware State Parks.

Between Nov. 25 and Dec. 11, bidders will have the option to bid on 14 tags including Nos. 48, 89, 196, 240, 267, 455, 777 and on eight “choice” categories, ranging from tags 76 to 9999. For the choice tags, the highest bidder in each range can choose a number, if it’s not already sold, within that category.

The minimum bid for a low-digit surf fishing plate 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 in 2015 and allows the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation to auction low-digit tags to the highest bidder.

A surf fishing tag by itself does not allow drive-on surf fishing access — a valid surf fishing permit is still required. Annual and two-year surf fishing permits from DNREC are expected to go on sale in the near future.

For more information about the low-digit surf fishing plate auction, visit the destateparks.com/LowDigitTags webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina.  For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Beth Kuhles-Heiney, elizabeth.kuhlesheiney@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has launched a new public survey to gather feedback from Delaware residents about local air quality.

The brief online survey asks residents to share their views on the quality of the air where they live, what sources of air pollution concern them most and how they currently access air quality information. The survey results will help guide future monitoring efforts, public outreach and policy recommendations designed to protect public health and the environment.

“We continuously monitor air conditions statewide, but data alone doesn’t tell the full story,” said Angela Marconi, director of the DNREC Division of Air Quality. “We want to understand how Delawareans experience air quality in their daily lives. This feedback will help us identify where additional outreach, monitoring or education efforts may be most valuable.”

The DNREC Division of Air Quality operates 11 monitoring stations across the state that measure key pollutants to protect public health. These pollutants include ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur — known as “criteria air pollutants” — for which national air quality standards have been established. The data collected by DNREC are used to inform both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the public through resources such as de.gov/airdata tool, which provides hourly updates and easy-to-read maps showing real-time air quality conditions throughout Delaware.

The new survey gives residents another way to take part in improving the state’s understanding of local air quality and its effects on communities. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and responses are confidential. Participants may choose to provide their email address if they wish to receive updates about future projects.

Residents can take the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/YVW7NDR. The survey will remain open through Monday, Dec. 15.

For more information about air quality in Delaware, visit the de.gov/airquality webpage.

The survey is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Air Quality monitors and regulates all emissions to the air. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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A new statewide survey from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) finds that while many Delawareans are still learning about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” a meaningful share of residents are aware of the issue and taking steps to reduce exposure.

PFAS are human-made chemicals used for decades in products such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging and firefighting foams. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS can build up in the environment and in people over time.

The “Delaware Residents’ Awareness of and Attitudes Toward PFAS” survey, conducted by research firm Responsive Management, gathered responses from more than 1,200 adults across New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties to better understand residents’ knowledge of PFAS, their concerns about exposure and possible behavior changes.

Key findings include:

• Many Delawareans are unaware of PFAS. Only about one-third of residents (33%) say they are confident or think they know what PFAS are, while nearly half (45%) have never heard of PFAS at all.
• Greater share of Delawareans say they know about PFAS than in national survey. In the comparison to a 2023 national survey, Delaware’s survey shows a similar “never heard” share (45%), but a larger informed segment: 18% “think” they know and 16% “confident” for a combined “think/confident” of about 33% — roughly 10 points higher than the national 23.4%.
• Drinking water is top concern. About one-third of Delawareans (32%) are very or extremely concerned about PFAS in drinking water, while another 39% are somewhat concerned.
• There is limited familiarity with exposure sources. Fewer than one-quarter of residents recognize everyday PFAS sources such as cookware, food packaging or firefighting foam.
• Some residents have already taken action. Despite low awareness overall, a substantial number of Delawareans who do know about PFAS have started changing their behavior to reduce exposure. About 27% of respondents said they already use filtered or bottled water due to PFAS concerns and 26% have replaced or stopped using non-stick cookware.
• Government and health experts are trusted messengers. Delawareans are most likely to trust DNREC, health professionals, scientists and universities for accurate PFAS information.

“This survey shows many Delawareans are not yet familiar with PFAS, but we’re encouraged by those who are learning about it and what it means for them,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “DNREC scientists and environmental experts are working with state and federal partner agencies on PFAS research, sampling and regulation in order to find where PFAS may exist at high levels, where it needs to be addressed immediately to protect public health and how we can reduce the ways it reaches people. And our focus is also on ensuring every Delawarean has access to clear, science-based information to make the choices that are right for their families.”

DNREC will use the findings to expand public education and outreach on PFAS through its website at de.gov/pfas, future community meetings and collaboration with health and environmental partners.

To learn more about PFAS in Delaware, read the latest article in Outdoor Delaware, “How the First State is Tackling Toxic Forever Chemicals.”

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Nov. 6 Webinar and ‘Virtual Office Hours’ Will Help Community Groups Apply

The Delaware Departments of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are launching a new grant opportunity to support community outreach and awareness about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). A public webinar on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. will introduce the grant program funded through DHSS with Delaware PFAS Settlement Funds.

The webinar will be led by state subject-matter experts from both agencies and will offer an overview of the PFAS grant program. Topics to be covered include what kinds of projects will qualify for grant funding and what organizations can apply for it – along with DHSS and DNREC experts explaining how to complete the grant application process. The funding offered is intended to support several projects statewide with a focus on underserved communities.

The webinar also will briefly explain what PFAS are, how widespread the chemicals have become – having have been used throughout the world in manufacturing, firefighting and consumer products since the 1940s – and what the State of Delaware has done and plans to do to reduce the public’s exposure to them. To register for the webinar, go to the de.gov/dnrecmeetings webpage.

DHSS and DNREC will also offer “virtual office hours” to answer questions about the grant opportunity and to help organizations with completing the PFAS awareness and outreach grant application. A number of these virtual meetings are scheduled throughout November, December and January. During the meetings, grant applicants and stakeholders can drop in virtually at their discretion to ask questions of both DHSS and DNREC regarding the grant application, ongoing projects and general project questions.

To register for the virtual office hours, go to the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar and search for “PFAS grant.”

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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