Limited Open Burning in Delaware Resumes Oct. 1 With End of Ozone Season
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Air Quality | Newsroom | Date Posted: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
DNREC reminds Delawareans that open burning of materials such as tree limbs, brush and branches can legally resume this year on Thursday, Oct. 1 – the date when the state’s annual open burning ban is lifted. Residential open burning of cut or fallen limbs, dead branches, or shrubbery is allowed from Oct. 1 to April 30, with a maximum of 27 cubic feet of yard waste burned at one time.
Delaware’s Piping Plover Population Experiences Slight Increase but Diminished Breeding Success
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Division of Parks and Recreation | Newsroom | Date Posted: Monday, September 22, 2025
Beach-nesting piping plovers – a federally-listed threatened species that’s also a Delaware state-listed endangered species – experienced mixed results in Delaware in 2025. DNREC is reporting an increase in adult pair numbers, which helped bolster the state’s plover population, but nesting success faltered, largely due to predation and unfavorable climate conditions.
Journey into Fall with a Delaware State Parks Wagon Ride
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Parks and Recreation | Newsroom | Date Posted: Friday, September 19, 2025
Enjoy an exciting and accessible way to see spectacular fall foliage or star-studded skies on an old-fashioned wagon ride at eight Delaware state parks this fall.
Rising Costs and Record Demand Are Basis for Discussion of Possible Fee Changes for Delaware State Parks
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Parks and Recreation | Newsroom | Date Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking public input at three open houses on the first proposed park pass increase in 10 years to address rising costs and record demand. A recent economic impact study found the system generated $822 million in revenue and 7.4 million in visitors for the state in 2024.
DNREC Issues Notice of Violation to Refinery for May 25 to June 11 Unpermitted Emissions
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Air Quality | Newsroom | Date Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the Delaware City Refining Company (DCRC) for unpermitted emissions from DCRC’s Fluid Coking Unit that occurred between May 25 and June 11, 2025. DNREC’s NOV, which documents the Department’s findings and the calculated release quantities, is available at the dnrec.delaware.gov website.
