The Texas Star was sunk on Redbird Reef in the Atlantic Ocean on June 29. DNREC photo.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continued to broaden the recreational appeal of Delaware’s renowned artificial reef system by sinking the Texas Star, originally outfitted as a floating casino, at a reef site 16.5 miles offshore of the Delaware coast, with readings of 38.40.494/74.43.868 at a depth of 86 feet. Built in 1977 on a multi-purpose supply ship hull, the Texas Star was last at sea as a commercial scallop catcher/processor vessel, finding its third life at approximately 4:20 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 29 as ocean floor fish habitat planned by DNREC’s artificial reef program.

The sinking of the 180-foot long Texas Star – as can be seen on the DNREC YouTube Channel – marked the reef program’s third deployment of a vessel in the last three years. The retired menhaden ship John S. Dempster Jr. was sunk on the Del-Jersey-Land Reef 26 miles off Indian River Inlet in early 2021, while a former Navy and later Army freighter and supply ship renamed Reedville when it too became a menhaden ship, was sunk onto Reef Site No. 11, known as Redbird Reef, in August 2020. All of them went down after the nationally-publicized 2018 sinking of the retired Lewes-Cape May, N.J. ferry Twin Capes onto the Del-Jersey-Land Reef, second only to Reef Site No. 11 as a popular recreational fishing destination.

“With today’s sinking of the Texas Star on Redbird Reef, one of 14 separate reef sites in the Delaware Bay and along the Atlantic Coast, we continue to enhance and expand the recreational fishing and diving experience in Delaware,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “When we sank Twin Capes four years ago as a centerpiece of Delaware’s artificial reef system, it was unmatched, providing fish habitat and a spectacular dive with its five decks for underwater exploration. Now anglers, the fish they are pursuing, and divers all will have another new destination.”

The Texas Star’s sinking was carried out by Norfolk, Va.-based marine contractor Coleen Marine, which has handled numerous reef deployments over the DNREC reef program’s existence at many of Delaware’s 14 permitted artificial reef sites. As with all the ships that DNREC sent down earlier, Texas Star was sunk only after receiving approvals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Coast Guard for environmental cleanliness and safety. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, which oversees the reef program, invested $325,000 in federal Sport Fish Restoration funds to buy the Texas Star from Coleen Marine after the ship settled onto the Redbird Reef.

As the newest addition to Delaware’s artificial reef program, the Texas Star joins the Dempster, the Reedville, Shearwater, Gregory S. Poole and Atlantic Mist as former commercial fishing ships now residing on Delaware artificial reef sites. Shearwater, Poole and Atlantic Mist, which also saw service as military vessels, are all part of the Del-Jersey-Land Reef, so called because it is roughly equidistant from ports of departure in each of the three states the reef’s name entails.

The Reedville was the first fishing vessel to be placed on Redbird Reef, so known because much of its structure consists of 714 retired New York City “Redbird” subway cars. Covering 1.3 square miles of ocean floor, other Redbird Reef structures include a 215-foot-long Chesapeake Bay cruise ship, 86 tanks and armored vehicles, eight tugboats, a fishing trawler and two barges.

Also residing on Delaware’s artificial reefs is the longest ship ever reefed on the East Coast, the 585-foot destroyer ex-USS Arthur W. Radford, which was sunk in 2011 on Del-Jersey-Land Reef. The reefs are also home to more than 1,350 retired New York City subway cars that have helped comprise the reef system over the last two decades, including the site where Texas Star was sunk.

More information about Delaware’s artificial reef program can be found at de.gov/artificialreefs.

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

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Assistance to Be Available for Low- to Moderate-Income Households

Low- to moderate-income homeowners who qualify can get help with the cost of installing solar panels through a new two-year pilot program from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control set to launch July 1.
DNREC’s Low- to Moderate-Income Solar Pilot Program seeks to test future expansion of residential solar photovoltaic systems into these market segments, which have been underserved by existing renewable energy assistance programs.

“DNREC’s Green Energy Program has helped thousands of Delawareans make the switch to solar power, but installation costs continue to be an obstacle for many low- and moderate-income households,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “This pilot program removes that barrier and makes clean energy a viable option for more families.”

Experience acquired from two-year pilot program by the DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy will be used to develop a statewide solar program that will provide services to low- to moderate-income homes, regardless of electric utility service territory.

Low-income households must first apply for installation services through DNREC’s Weatherization Assistance Program, a cost-free program that helps renters and homeowners cut their energy bills by weatherproofing and improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Qualified homes can receive a cost-free solar installation of up to 4.0 kW.

Moderate-income households can visit de.gov/lmi for information about approved solar contractors for the LMI pilot program. Application for the program will be submitted through the contractor chosen by a homeowner. Qualified moderate-income households will receive a solar installation 70% paid for by the LMI Solar Program and 30% by the homeowner for a system size up to 6.0 kW.
Contractors participating in the program include CMI Solar & Electric, KW Solar Solutions and Clean Energy USA.

Funding for the LMI Solar Program comes from the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Green Energy Fund.

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 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 @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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Las bolsas de película de plástico ya no serán distribuidas por los vendedores minoristas en Delaware

El Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Control Ambiental de Delaware le recuerda a los compradores minoristas del estado que pronto cambiarán sus opciones para el envasado de comestibles y bienes de consumo. A partir del 1. ° de julio, las tiendas minoristas de Delaware (todas las tiendas minoristas excepto los restaurantes) dejarán de ofrecer bolsas de plástico al momento de pagar en las cajas. Una prohibición actualizada de las bolsas de plástico, aprobada por la Asamblea General de Delaware en 2021, amplía la prohibición de las bolsas de plástico de 2019 para incluir todas las tiendas minoristas (con los restaurantes de nuevo como excepción), independientemente de su tamaño, y prohíbe la distribución o venta de todas las bolsas de película de plástico para llevar al momento de pagar en las cajas.

Según la prohibición de las bolsas de plástico de Delaware de 2019, la ley permitía que las bolsas de película de plástico de 2,25 milímetros de grosor se consideraran reutilizables. El pasado mes de junio, la legislatura amplió la prohibición estatal de las bolsas de plástico para incluir todas las bolsas de película de plástico para llevar, independientemente de su grosor. A partir del 1. ° de julio, los minoristas podrán optar por ofrecer bolsas de papel o bolsas reutilizables de tela u otro tejido resistente con asas cosidas. La ley también permite a las tiendas minoristas cobrar a los clientes por estas bolsas al momento de pagar en las cajas.

El DNREC fomenta el uso de las bolsas de tela o tejido que traen los clientes a los comercios donde compran, al tiempo que aconseja que estas bolsas reutilizables se laven o limpien después de cada uso, dándoles la vuelta y limpiándolas con un producto de limpieza o desinfectante.

El objetivo de la prohibición ampliada de las bolsas de plástico es reducir la basura en las carreteras, las vías fluviales y las costas; ahorrar un valioso espacio en los vertederos; aumentar los esfuerzos de reciclaje; y ayudar a las instalaciones de reciclaje a evitar retrasos cuando las bolsas de plástico se atascan en su maquinaria.

“Antes de la promulgación de esta ley en 2019, se estimaba que cada habitante de Delaware utilizaba aproximadamente 434 bolsas de plástico al año, muchas de las cuales terminaban como residuos en nuestros vertederos”, dijo el secretario del DNREC, Shawn M. Garvin. “Al reajustar la legislación para limitar aún más el uso de las bolsas de película de plástico para llevar, estamos reduciendo los residuos que con demasiada frecuencia acaban en nuestras carreteras, en nuestras vías fluviales y a lo largo de nuestras costas, todo ello siendo perjudicial para nuestro medio ambiente, incluidos los efectos nocivos para nuestra vida silvestre y las criaturas marinas”.

Todas las tiendas minoristas que sigan proporcionando bolsas exentas deben mantener un programa de reciclaje en el establecimiento para las bolsas de plástico y de película de plástico, incluidos los forros de las cajas de cereales, las fundas de los periódicos y las bolsas de un solo uso para productos agrícolas o carne y mariscos frescos. Los lugares de entrega de las bolsas deben ser visibles y accesibles dentro de la tienda. Las bolsas que ya no son reutilizables o que no se desean deben reciclarse en estos lugares. La División de Residuos y Sustancias Peligrosas del DNREC también recuerda a los ciudadanos de Delaware que las bolsas de plástico nunca deben depositarse en los contenedores que forman parte del programa estatal de reciclaje en la acera, sino que se deben devolver a las tiendas de las que proceden para su reciclaje.

Los consumidores y los comerciantes minoristas pueden encontrar más información sobre la prohibición ampliada de las bolsas de plástico en de.gov/bags.

Sobre el DNREC
El Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Control Ambiental de Delaware protege y gestiona los recursos naturales del estado, protege la salud pública, ofrece oportunidades de recreación al aire libre y educa a los habitantes de Delaware sobre el medio ambiente. La División de Residuos y Sustancias Peligrosas del DNREC garantiza la gestión de los residuos de Delaware para proteger la vida humana, la salud, la seguridad y el medio ambiente. Para más información, visite el sitio web y contacte al DNREC en Facebook, Twitter o LinkedIn.

Contactos con los medios de comunicación: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

DNREC reminds shoppers the enhanced plastic carryout bag ban will be in effect July 1. DNREC photo.

[versión en español]

Film Bags No Longer to Be Distributed by Retail Vendors in Delaware

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds retail shoppers in the state their options are soon to change for packaging groceries and consumer goods. Starting July 1, retail stores in Delaware – all retail stores except restaurants – will no longer provide plastic bags at checkout. An updated plastic bag ban, passed by the Delaware General Assembly in 2021, expands the 2019 plastic bag ban to include all retail stores (with restaurants again the exception) regardless of size, and bans the distribution or sale of all plastic film carryout bags at checkout.

Under Delaware’s 2019 plastic bag ban, the law allowed 2.25 mil-thick plastic film bags to be considered reusable. Last June, the legislature enhanced the state’s plastic bag ban to include all plastic film carryout bags regardless of thickness. Starting July 1, retailers can choose to offer paper bags, or reusable bags made from cloth or other durable fabric with stitched handles. The law also allows retail stores to charge customers for these bags at checkout.

DNREC encourages the use of the cloth or fabric bags brought by customers to businesses where they shop, while advising that these reusable bags should be washed or cleaned after each use by turning them inside out and wiping them down with a cleaning agent or disinfectant.

The goal of the enhanced bag ban is to reduce roadside, waterway and seaside litter; to save valuable landfill space; to increase recycling efforts; and to help recycling facilities avoid delays when plastic bags get stuck in their machinery.

”Prior to the enactment of this law in 2019, it was estimated that each Delawarean used approximately 434 plastic bags each year, many of which wound up as waste in our landfills,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “By realigning the legislation to further limit the use of film carryout bags, we are reducing waste that all too often ends up along on our roadway, in our waterways and along our shorelines – all detrimental to our environment including harmful effects on our wildlife and marine creatures.”

All retail stores that continue to provide exempt bags are required to maintain an At-Store Recycling program for plastic and film bags, including cereal box liners, newspaper sleeves, and single-use produce or meat and fresh seafood bags. The drop-off locations should be visible and accessible within the store. Bags that are no longer reusable or unwanted should be recycled at these locations. DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances also reminds Delawareans that plastic bags should never be placed in the bins that are part of the state’s curbside recycling program, but should instead be returned to the stores the bags came from for recycling.

Consumers and retailers can find more information about the enhanced plastic bag ban at de.gov/bags.

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 Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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An adult lone star tick in central Delaware. DNREC photo.

With spring heading into summer – prime time for ticks as well as for people getting outdoors – the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has partnered with the Division of Public Health within the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to educate the public about ticks, including where they are found, how to identify different types and what precautions to take before and after exposure to ticks, as well as information about tick-borne pathogens.

“Summer in Delaware is a great time to be outdoors enjoying Delaware’s state parks, wildlife areas, trails and waters,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “However, time-honored summer activities like hiking, biking, fishing and even beachgoing and gardening can expose outdoor enthusiasts to unwanted guests – ticks. The good news is residents and visitors can take steps such as using repellent, wearing light-colored clothes and checking for ticks after being outdoors to reduce or prevent the chances of getting tick bites.”

“We encourage Delawareans to get outside to enjoy fitness and family time,” said DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik. “But we also urge people to take the proper precautions to protect themselves and others because tick bites can cause serious illness. In Delaware, the most common tick-borne illness is Lyme disease. Symptoms can include a ‘bull’s-eye’ rash (seen in approximately half of Lyme disease cases in Delaware), fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint aches. Chronic joint, heart, and neurological problems may occur. We urge anyone bitten by a tick to monitor their health closely, and contact a physician if symptoms develop.”

Precautions to avoid or reduce tick exposure include:

• Keep grass short and remove brush from the yard to reduce tick habitat.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks and use repellent to help keep ticks off in areas with high tick populations.
• Choose light colored clothing to make ticks easier to see.
• When returning from outdoor activities, check for ticks and remove any from skin with tweezers as soon as possible to reduce the chance of disease transmission.
• Following exposure to tick-prone areas or tick bites, watch for symptoms of common illnesses caused by tick-borne pathogens and seek medical attention as needed.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife and the DHSS Division of Public Health work together year-round to study tick populations, species distribution, seasonality and disease risk to humans, including Lyme disease. The goal of the tick program is to better understand the biology and ecology of Delaware ticks and the problems they cause, including how to best cope with those problems.

For DNREC Tick Program entomologist Dr. Ashley Kennedy, part of that work includes statewide tick surveys to collect and identify types of ticks.

“Tick surveys provide information about the numbers and species of ticks found in Delaware, as well as information about tick-borne diseases, since certain diseases are associated with certain tick species,” said Dr. Kennedy. “Knowing what species of tick has attached to you, a family member, or a pet will help determine whether you may be at risk for a tick-borne disease.”

To help Delaware residents and visitors exposed to ticks, DNREC has launched a new online tick interactions form that asks when and where the interaction took place, contact information and a photo of the tick if available to help identify its species.

Read more about Dr. Kennedy’s work in “Tick-Tock – the Ticks Are Waiting” in Outdoor Delaware online magazine.

Other tick facts include:

• In Delaware, ticks are everywhere, but most bites occur in backyards.
• Ticks do not jump or fall out of trees; they wait on grass or other plants for a host to walk by so they can grab on.
• Ticks are active year-round, not just in late spring/early summer which is prime “tick season.”
• Several different types of ticks are found in Delaware, and several types can carry different pathogens that can infect humans including Lyme disease.

More information about ticks can be found at de.gov/ticks and de.gov/lyme.

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: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov