Certain state lands – particularly DelDOT’s created wetlands – are closed to public access, including hunting

DOVER – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind the public that certain state-owned lands are closed to public access – including hunting. Anyone found accessing these sites is subject to trespassing and other charges. Other state-owned lands are designated as accessible to the public for recreational use, including hunting.

Particularly, those state-owned properties closed to the public include numerous created wetland sites established by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to offset environmental impacts from transportation projects throughout the state. These created wetlands are protected properties closely monitored to evaluate how well they are becoming established and whether they meet environmental standards. Any damage to these sites as a result of trespassing or other activities – such as illegally erecting blinds or clearing vegetation for hunting, or using the sites for other outdoor recreation activities – may impact DelDOT’s compliance with state and federal environmental permit requirements.

“No trespassing” signage is posted at these sites, with additional signage being installed on DelDOT properties to inform the public. Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police are patrolling these sites to help achieve awareness and compliance.

For information on designated public hunting areas in Delaware, click on 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting Guide. Additional information on Division of Fish & Wildlife public lands open to hunting is available at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps. The guide and wildlife area maps are also available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk or by calling 302-739-9912.

The public is urged to report trespassing and hunting violations to the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police via Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT. The public can also call the Natural Resources Police 24-hour dispatch line at 302-739-4580.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-382-7167, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

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DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold two public information sessions Monday, Sept. 9 detailing a new program that will provide incentives to Delaware businesses to install refrigeration systems less harmful to the environment than systems currently used by many businesses and organizations in the state. The first information session will take place at 11 a.m. at DNREC offices at 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720, while the second session is scheduled for 6 p.m. at DNREC’s State Street Commons offices, 100 W. Water St., Dover, DE 19904.

DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy plans to launch the new “Cool Switch – Low Impact Refrigerant Program” later this month. Some refrigerants, like hydrofluorocarbons, are a potent greenhouse gas that have significant impact on global warming. The public information sessions will discuss how the new DNREC program will offer incentives for new systems or upgrades of existing systems to participating municipalities, businesses, non-profits and industries.

For more information please contact Robert Underwood, DNREC Energy Administrator, Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, at 302-735-3489 or email robert.underwood@delaware.gov. Additional information, including an agenda for the meetings, can be found on the state Public Meeting Calendar.

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

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