DNREC’s Natural Resources Police launch new tip411 mobile app for reporting crimes and concerns

DOVER – Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has launched a new law enforcement app, enabling the public to connect with the department’s Natural Resources Police officers, receive alerts, and submit anonymous tips from their smartphones.

“Technology is playing an ever-increasing role in the ways we communicate, and this new Natural Resources Police app offers the public an easy electronic means of reporting crimes and concerns,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The app also gives our Natural Resources Police officers an efficient new tool to gather tips and share information and alerts with app users.”

Developed by software company tip411, the Delaware Natural Resources Police (DENRP) app encourages the public to provide DNREC’s Natural Resources Police (NRP) with factual and anonymously reported information leading to the arrest of poachers, polluters, and other violators. The app is available for free download by searching “DENRP” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. The app can be used with 100 percent anonymity, as tip411’s technology removes all identifying information before NRP officers see the tips.

Delaware’s tip411 system enables the public to connect with the three branches of DNREC’s natural resources police to report crimes and hazards to public safety. In addition to enforcing all Delaware criminal and motor vehicle laws as do all Delaware police agencies, DNREC’s three law enforcement branches focus on specific enforcement areas:

Environmental Crimes Unit Natural Resources Police – text keyword ECUTIP
The Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) investigates environmental violations, primarily focusing on unlawful releases of liquid, solid, and hazardous waste, and air pollution violations. Common complaints include illegal dumping, open burning violations, unlawful asbestos removal, illegal transportation of solid or hazardous waste, and water quality violations for wells, failing septic systems, and illegal disposal of wastewater. The ECU also has a K-9 tracking unit.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police – text keyword FWTIP
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, including two K-9 tracking units, investigate hunting, fishing, and boating violations; respond to and investigate boating and hunting accidents; respond to poaching complaints through Operation Game Theft; and patrol state-owned boating access areas, fishing ponds and piers, and 19 state wildlife areas encompassing nearly 65,000 acres statewide. F&W NRP officers also conduct marine law enforcement patrols and boating safety checks on Delaware waterways, including the state’s three-mile offshore limit in the Atlantic Ocean.

State Parks Enforcement Natural Resources Police – text keyword STATEPARKTIP
Delaware’s Park Rangers patrol 16 state parks encompassing more than 26,000 acres. Rangers enforce park rules and regulations such as surf fishing regulations, campground policies, trespassing in restricted areas, and hunting, fishing, and boating on state parks properties. Rangers also respond to and investigate visitor injuries, motor vehicle accidents and all other crimes and offenses occurring in or near Delaware’s state parks. Alerts including park closings, special event notifications, and weather advisories also will be available through the tip411 app.

Anyone without a smartphone can send an anonymous text tip via their cell phone to Delaware Natural Resources Police officers by texting the appropriate NRP section keyword as listed above and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). For more information on the new app, visit de.gov/tip411.

Tip411 users also are advised that DNREC’s new app does not take the place of dialing 911 for immediate emergency response. In the event of an emergency situation, call 911.

To report possible crimes, DNREC’s Natural Resources Police also can be reached by phone:

Environmental Crimes Unit Natural Resources Police: 24-hour Environmental Emergency Response Line, 800-662-8802
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police: Illegal hunting, fishing, or boating activities, 800-523-3336; Operation Game Theft (wildlife crimes): 800-292-3030
State Parks Enforcement Natural Resources Police: 24-hour dispatch, 302-739-4580

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

DNREC’S Division of Parks & Recreation postpones March 21 open house to review Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Concept Plan

DOVER – Due to weather predictions, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today it will postpone the public open house scheduled for March 21 to review the Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Concept Plan. The open house will be re-scheduled at a later date.

Governor Carney to Deliver Remarks at Public Meeting on Clean Power Plan

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney will join the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) at its public meeting on Monday to offer remarks on the Trump Administration’s proposal to repeal the federal Clean Power Plan. The goal of the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon pollution from coal-, oil-, and natural gas-burning power plants, and combat the threat of climate change. President Trump issued an executive order last year to dismantle the plan.

WHAT: Public listening session on the Clean Power Plan, hosted by DNREC.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 8, 2018

WHERE: Chase Center on the Riverfront

815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

WHO: Governor John Carney

U.S. Senator Tom Carper

Shawn Garvin, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Members of the public

Learn more about Monday’s meeting.

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Delaware to Sue U.S. EPA for Failure to Curb Out-of-State Air Pollution

Governor Carney, Congressional Delegation Oppose Trump Administration on Clean Air Ruling

Governor Carney to Trump Administration: No Drilling in the Atlantic

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

Governor Carney’s Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order on Climate Change

Governor Carney Announces Appointments to Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group

Working group, established by Executive Order #13, will hold its first meeting October 6

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced appointments to the Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group, which was established last month by Executive Order 13 to study potential environmental and economic development benefits of offshore wind development to serve Delaware.

“Finding ways to participate in the development of alternate energy sources is the right decision for our environment and our economy, and has the potential to create good-paying jobs,” said Governor Carney. “The members of this working group will help us explore potential economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind development for Delaware, and determine costs and benefits for electric ratepayers across our state. Thank you to Bruce Burcat for agreeing to chair this group, and to all of those who have agreed to serve.”

Newly appointed members of the Offshore Wind Working Group are:

Bruce Burcat, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition, Chair
Senator David McBride
Senator Harris McDowell
Representative Trey Paradee
Representative Ronald Gray
Secretary Jeff Bullock, Delaware Department of State
Secretary Shawn Garvin, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Robert Howatt, Executive Director, Public Service Commission Staff
Drew Slater, Public Advocate
Albert Shields, Policy Director, Office of the Governor
Mario Giovanni, Director of Energy Acquisition, Delmarva Power & Light
Patrick McCullar, President and CEO, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation
Mark Nielson, Vice President, Staff Services, Delaware Electrical Cooperative
Professor Jeremy Firestone, Director, Center for Carbon-free Power Integration, University of Delaware
Brenna Goggin, Director of Advocacy, Delaware Nature Society
Jeffrey Gordon, President, American Birding Association
Guy Marcozzi, President and CEO, Duffield Associates
James Maravelias, President, Delaware State AFL-CIO
Collin O’Mara, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation

By December 15, the working group will submit a report to the Governor that makes recommendations on short- and long-term strategies for developing wind power to serve Delaware, and plans to develop job opportunities in the offshore wind industry. The group also will draft any necessary legislation, including possible amendments to Delaware’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act.

The first meeting of the Offshore Wind Working Group is scheduled for Friday, October 6 at 9:00 a.m. in the Delaware Public Service Commission Hearing Room, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904. All Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group meetings will be listed on the statewide calendar and are open to the public. Meeting agendas, minutes and related materials will be posted on the state calendar as well. Information about the October 6 meeting can be found here.

More information about the Offshore Wind Working Group can be found on the DNREC website.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor Carney Announces Statewide Eco Tour

Wilmington, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Friday that he will travel throughout Delaware on an Eco Tour to continue to promote outdoor recreational activities that Delawareans and visitors can enjoy into the fall. Governor Carney will be meeting with outdoor experts and small business owners, and engaging with participants during the tour.

*Media planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Jessica Borcky (Jessica.Borcky@delaware.gov) by 3:00 p.m., Monday, September 25.

Tuesday, September 26

WHAT: Governor Carney will tour the Bellevue Mansion at Bellevue State Park. Afterward, Governor Carney will travel to Delaware City for a brief tour of the American Birding Association Headquarters (ABA) and to bike a portion of the Michael Castle Trail.

WHO: Governor Carney

Representative Valerie Longhurst

Secretary Shawn Garvin, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Jeff Gordon, President, American Birding Association

Liz Gordon, Events Coordinator, American Birding Association

Liz Keller, Director of Delaware Tourism Office

WHEN: Tuesday, September 26, 2017

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: 2:30 p.m. – Bellevue Mansion Tour

Bellevue State Park

901 Philadelphia Pike

Wilmington, DE 19809

4:00 p.m. – American Birding Association Headquarters Tour

American Birding Association Headquarters

93 Clinton Street

Delaware City, DE 19706

4:30 p.m. – Michael Castle Trail Bike Ride

Governor Carney will depart from ABA Headquarters, ride the trail through wetlands and along the C&D Canal, then back to ABA Headquarters.

Delaware City, DE

Wednesday, September 27

WHAT: Governor Carney will tour Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, take a Cape Water Taxi lighthouse tour, and meet with members from the Town of Leipsic at Sambo’s Tavern to discuss the first annual Oyster Festival.

WHO: Governor Carney

Secretary Shawn Garvin, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Kara Coats, Deputy Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Al Rizzo, Complex Manager, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Mayor Pugh, Town of Leipsic

Martha Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor, Leipsic

Debbie McKeever, City Council Member, Leipsic

Linda Parkowski, Deputy Director, Division of Small Business, Development & Tourism
Liz Keller, Director of Delaware Tourism Office

WHEN: Wednesday, September 27, 2017

10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: 10:00 a.m. – Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

2591 Whitehall Neck Road

Smyrna, DE 19977

12:45 p.m. – Cape Water Taxi Lighthouse Tour

Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal
43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958

3:00 p.m. – Sambo’s Tavern

283 Front Street

Leipsic, DE 19901

Tuesday, October 3

WHAT: Governor Carney will kayak at Trap Pond State Park. Afterward, Governor Carney will travel to Cape Henlopen State Park for a tour of the Fort Miles Artillery Park and Museum.

WHO: Governor Carney

Representative Tim Dukes

Secretary Shawn Garvin, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Trap Pond Partners, Trap Pond State Park Friends Group Members

Liz Keller, Director of Delaware Tourism Office

WHEN: Tuesday, October 3, 2017

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: 11:00 a.m. – Kayaking at Trap Pond State Park

Trap Pond State Park

33587 Bald Cypress Lane

Laurel, DE 19956

3:00 p.m. – Tour of Fort Miles Artillery Park and Museum

Cape Henlopen State Park

15099 Cape Henlopen Drive

Lewes, DE 19958

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