A summer flounder. Graphic illustration: Duane Raver for DNREC

Delaware recreational fishing regulations for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass were changed effective May 1, 2022 to ensure the state’s compliance with regional fisheries management plans (FMP) for these species, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today.

The recreational fishing regulations were instituted to sustainably manage each species consistent with FMP recreational harvest limits and to provide recreational fishing opportunities. The changes are:

• Minimum summer flounder size limit was reduced from 16.5 inches to 16 inches, with a continued four-fish daily limit and all-year season.
• Scup size limit was increased from 8 to 9 inches, with a continued 50-fish daily limit and all-year season.
• Black sea bass size limit was increased from 12.5 to 13 inches while the season was shortened by 20 days (runs May 15 through Dec. 11), with a continued 15-fish daily limit.

For more information on the regulations, contact the DNREC Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914 or see the 2022 Delaware Fishing Guide.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Taking aim at greenhouse gases and accelerating the state’s engagement in working to curtail global warming, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that a new hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulation will be published March 1 in the state’s Register of Regulations with requirements for reducing harmful HFCs that go into effect Sept. 1, 2021.

The new regulation establishes a schedule for the state to phase down specific HFCs used in air conditioning/refrigeration equipment, aerosols and foams. HFCs are hundreds to thousands of times more potent per unit of mass than carbon dioxide (CO2) in contributing to climate change. Emissions of HFC emissions are growing at a rate of 8% per year, and the regulation will address the critical need to phase down their use.

“The HFCs targeted by this regulation are gases that are highly potent in terms of global warming potential,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “The adoption of these prohibitions will expand and strengthen Delaware’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.”

The phase-down schedule and the requirements contained in the new HFC regulation were informed by a strong stakeholder engagement process. Through it, industry, non-government organizations, and industry association representatives worked with DNREC to tailor the regulation to reflect technology feasibility and additional environmental, industrial and economic considerations. The phase-down schedule – detailed in the regulation – begins Sept. 1, 2021, for specific HFC end-uses.

In concert with the regulatory effort for reducing greenhouse gases, the DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy has developed the “Cool Switch” Low Impact Refrigerant Program that offers incentives to offset the initial costs of switching to new equipment or retrofitting existing equipment to use a low-global warming potential refrigerant. The Cool Switch program complements the regulation to accelerate the state’s transitioning away from HFCs – and is a voluntary program available to Delaware businesses and non-residential consumers that use at least 50 lbs. of refrigerant. For comparison, 50 lbs. of refrigerant in a system might be used by the typical convenience store for effective cooling, with grocery stores and schools examples of non-residential consumers that use much more than 50 lbs. at a given time for their refrigerant needs.

The Cool Switch program launched in early 2020 and has since been recognized as one of the Top 100 Climate Policy Breakthroughs by Apolitical, a social network that promotes sharing innovative ideas and best practices among government agencies. The Buccini/Pollin Group, Giant Foods and Sea Watch International are among Delaware businesses that already are participating in the program to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware.

More information about the new HFC regulation can be found on DNREC website. Details about the Cool Switch HFC program can be found on the website.

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 Division of Air Quality monitors and regulates all emissions to the air. The Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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DOVER – After extensive stakeholder input and a public nomination process, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced members of the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Regulatory Advisory Committee and the committee’s chair. The Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC) will provide guidance and feedback to DNREC on development of Coastal Zone regulations that are required to be in place for issuance of conversion permits by Oct. 1, 2019.

The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 14 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the American Birding Association Headquarters, 93 Clinton Street, Suite ABA, Delaware City, DE 19706. Committee meetings are open to the public.

“Delaware’s Coastal Zone means different things to different people, and those concerns and interests deserve to be represented and considered fairly in this regulatory development process,” said DNREC Secretary Garvin. “We are grateful to the women and men volunteering their time to the Committee and this important cause.”

The members of the Regulatory Advisory Committee have diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives related to Delaware’s Coastal Zone that will guide DNREC in developing this new permitting program. Representatives come from environmental organizations, business and industry, affected communities, technical fields, public health, and other diverse backgrounds.

The Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Regulatory Advisory Committee will be chaired by Justice Randy J. Holland. Justice Holland was appointed to the Delaware Supreme Court in 1986, when, at 39 years old, he became the youngest person to be appointed to the Court. He retired from the Supreme Court in March 2017 after serving for over 30 years. Recognized as an expert on corporation law, corporate governance, appellate practice, and state constitutional law, Justice Holland has written more than 700 reported opinions, which include many seminal corporate law decisions. Justice Holland has written, co-authored, or edited nine books, and also has published several law review articles, primarily focused on corporate law, judicial ethics and legal history. He has taught corporate governance, appellate practice, and state constitutional law as an adjunct professor for many years. He has been recognized as one of the leading influencers on business ethics in the United States.

Members of the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Regulatory Advisory Committee are:

• Jennifer Adkins, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
• William Ashe, International Longshoreman’s Association 1694
• Neeraj Batta, Batta Environmental
• Brenna Goggin, Delaware Nature Society
• Michael Hackendorn, Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council
• Ron Handy, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware and Route 9 Corridor Coalition
• S. Douglas Hokuf, New Castle County
• Herb Inden, City of Wilmington
• Tim Konkus, Delaware City Marina & Main Street Delaware City, Inc.
• Dr. Awele N. Maduka-Ezeh, Division of Public Health Medical Director
• James Maravelias, AFL-CIO
• Dr. Eugene McCoy, Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred, Inc.
• Jerry Medd, Pilots’ Association for the Bay and River Delaware
• Jeffrey Richardson, University of Delaware and Imani Energy
• Robert Whetzel, Richards, Layton & Finger Law Firm and Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
• Dolores Whilden, resident, Claymont
• Marian Young, Brightfields Inc.

Passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Carney in August 2017, the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act allows for permitted industrial construction and operation in 14 existing sites of heavy industry use, and in certain circumstances, permitted bulk product transfer, within Delaware’s Coastal Zone. The Act requires DNREC to develop regulations determining how the permitting program will operate and defining specific requirements regarding environmental impact assessments, economic impact assessments, financial assurance, and environmental offsets.

DNREC requests that those planning to attend the June Regulatory Advisory Committee meeting notify the Department by emailing Brittany.Klecan@delaware.gov, or by calling 302-735-3480. For more information, visit de.gov/conversionpermits, or call 302-735-3480.

Media contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

No. 48, No. 148

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