DOVER – Delaware State Parks and outdoor recreation retailer Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), invite the public to #OptOutside on Black Friday, Nov. 25, when admission to all of Delaware’s state parks will be free of charge. REI initiated the “Opt Outside” program last year to encourage children and families to enjoy the outdoors, rather than participate in Black Friday retail sales.

The $2.4 billion co-op shut all 149 of its doors on Black Friday and gave each of their 12,287 employees a paid day off so that they could get out from behind the register, and get into the great outdoors. According to REI, about 1.4 million people participated nationwide last year. This year, REI is building on that momentum by inviting the outdoor community to support the concept again.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of such an innovative and exciting movement, and hope to see many families and friends enjoying our parks all day,” said Delaware State Parks Marketing Director Madison Watkins. “Those willing to forego marathon shopping and opt instead for a day of hiking, biking and other adventures will find more than 100 miles of trails to explore throughout Delaware, spectacular locations for bird and wildlife watching, scenic views and much more.”

All Delaware State Parks gates will open at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Park offices will be closed. The Division encourages visitors to use the hashtag #OptOutside on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to show their support, and invite their families and friends to join in.

“We guarantee this will be more fun than standing in line at the mall,” added Watkins.

Visit www.destateparks.com for park locations and more ideas on how to spend the day outside in Delaware State Parks and check out REI.com/opt-outside to upload your #OptOutside photos.

Vol. 46, No. 405

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DOVER – Give a gift that lasts all year long – an annual Delaware State Parks pass good for admission year-round to all state parks. The new passes, as well as surf permits, will go on sale online beginning Friday, Nov. 25, and at authorized stores and park offices beginning Monday, Nov. 28.

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has more good news for visitors: the placement of the annual pass has changed this year. It adheres to the outside of a vehicle’s windshield, rather than the inside.

“Many of our customers were having difficulty removing the sticker, and with tinted windshields, the Division felt it was time to put the sticker on the outside,” said Mary Voshell, chief of the Division’s Office of Business Services. “On the outside, the pass will be much easier to adhere to – and remove from – the windshield.” The pass will also be much more visible, Voshell added. “Staff and park rangers can now more easily see the pass in order to waive customers through the entrance stations and to check for violations.”

The new annual passes are $35 for residents and $18 for residents age 62 and older. These, along with surf tags and military passes will be available online Nov. 25 at www.destateparks.com/fees/passes. On Nov. 28, the public can purchase them from state park offices, DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building at 89 Kings Highway, or from authorized agents including: Eastern Marine in Newark, Carlisle Marine in Smyrna, Sam’s Fishing and Tackle in Greenwood, That Place in Millsboro, and Dover Air Force Base and the Rehoboth Beach/ Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.

Delaware State Parks annual park passes and surf permits make great holiday gifts for the entire family, providing a full year of outdoor adventure, in one of Delaware’s 14 state parks. Whether it’s to hike or bike one of the many trails, walk the sandy beaches, participate in a nature program or attend an evening concert, the annual pass is a gift filled with year round activities.

“For just $35, Delaware residents can enjoy unlimited park visits for families and friends to enjoy the outdoors,” said Ray Bivens, Delaware State Parks director. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who support our efforts to preserve and protect open space, improve services and expand recreational opportunities. It is truly the support of Delawareans and visitors to our state that has been the cornerstone of our wonderfully diverse parks system.”

Delaware’s state parks are primarily self-funded; 65 percent of state park revenue used to operate and maintain the parks is generated by park users. Annual passes not only are important to sustain state parks, they are a convenient way to access the parks for the entire fee season.

Delaware State Parks won the highest honor a state parks system can receive: the 2016 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This prestigious award recognizes state parks systems throughout the nation that best address the needs of those they serve. Delaware State Parks was the only small state to ever be voted “America’s Best.”

Vol. 46, No. 402

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DOVER – October is “Children in Nature Month,” and to celebrate, the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition is launching a new statewide outdoor activity program for kids – “Children in Nature Prescription for Health.”

More than 3,000 “Prescription for Health” cards have been distributed so far in communities throughout the state. They are being offered in schools, doctors’ offices and other organizations and businesses that take part in the state’s Children in Nature Coalition. Kids pick up the “prescription” cards, which list numerous healthy activities and where those activities are being offered. Children who participate in the activities fill in their cards and are then eligible to win free prizes in a monthly drawing. The activities are free of charge.

The program will remain in effect beyond Children in Nature month,  and new cards will be available at any time.

The Delaware Children in Nature Coalition is a group of more than 19 partner organizations, including DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, that are Delaware’s leaders in child health and welfare, and environmental education. The coalition identifies and promotes outdoor programs and activities designed to get children to participate in outdoor activities.

Children in Nature Month was first declared by Governor Markell in 2014. That year, more than 219,000 kids and families took part in programs at 16 sites across the state. That number increased to more than 228,000 at 31 sites last year. This year, more than 40 programs have taken place throughout October in all regions of the state. The Children in Nature initiative provides meaningful outdoor experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles for children.

For more information, or to download a “Prescription for Health” card, visit dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/children-in-nature/, or call Franchesca Garland, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9221.

DOVER – The Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council will hold a public hearing followed by a meeting on Wed., Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room 220, Kent County Administrative Complex, 555 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.

Agenda:

 Public Hearing

• Overview of the draft revised Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) FY 2016 Project Priority Lists and Intended Use Plans
• Water Infrastructure Advisory Council (WIAC) comments
• Public comments
• Public record will remain open until Nov. 21, 2016

Council Meeting

   WIAC – Informational

• Town of Frankford – restructured DWSRF binding loan commitment
• DNREC non-potable well drilling process change – letter to municipalities

    New Business

• DWSRF loan requests
• Wastewater Asset Management Plan Development Incentive requests
• Drinking Water Asset Management Plan Development Incentive requests
• CWSRF Project Planning Grant request
• Draft proposed guidelines – CWSRF and DWSRF subsidies for privately owned utilities

    Reports

• Administrators’ Reports
  -CWSRF Project Status Update
  – Financial Reports
  -CWSRF and DWSRF Cash Flow Models

• Subcommittees’ Reports
  -Wastewater
  -Drinking Water
  -Surface Water Management
  -Finance

    Public Comment

For more information about the WIAC, please call 302-739-9941.

Media Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 350

Proposals due by Nov. 16

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship, the office of Environmental Finance, and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Division of Public Health are now accepting proposals from state, county and municipal governments and governmental subdivisions for matching grants for wastewater, surface water, and drinking water project planning. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 2016.

Eligible projects include planning, preliminary engineering and feasibility analysis of: wastewater and drinking water projects; stormwater retrofits; green technology practices; stream and wetland restoration projects; small watershed studies; master surface water and drainage plans; and other source water pollution control projects.

Grant applications of up to $50,000 will be considered with a 1:1 cash match requirement. Up to 10 percent of the grant funds may be used for administrative costs. There is an annual cumulative grant award cap of $100,000 per successful applicant per fiscal year.

The Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Surface Water Matching Planning Grant programs are set-asides in Delaware’s Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds. Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council through a competitive grant process.

For a Wastewater Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online by clicking Wastewater Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email (less than 10 MB) to Greg.Pope@delaware.gov.

For a Surface Water Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online at Surface Water Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email (less than 10 MB) to James.Sullivan@delaware.gov.

For a Drinking Water Matching Planning Grant, the project guidelines and the application can be found online at Drinking Water Matching Planning Grant. Proposals must be submitted by email (less than 10 MB) to Heather.Warren@delaware.gov.

For more information, contact Greg Pope, DNREC Environmental Finance at 302-739-9941, Jim Sullivan, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship at 302-739-9922, or Heather Warren, Division of Public Health at 302-744-4739.

Media Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 349