Displaying one of the new life rings at Woodland Beach are Citizens’ Hose Company members Keith Mapps, Fire Chief Chip Thompson, John Morgan, retired State Senator and board member Bruce C. Ennis, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Pat Emory and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. /DNREC photo.

As summer waterways become more crowded, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control underscores the importance of safety for water enthusiasts in the First State. Today, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife and Smyrna’s Citizens’ Hose Company teamed up to highlight recently installed buoyant life rings at DNREC’s Woodland Beach fishing pier and boat ramp.

“Having the familiar circular life preservers close at hand can save a life when someone is in the water and in trouble,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Some of our fishing piers and boat ramps already have these life rings. With the Citizens’ Hose Company and their stalwart member and longtime president, former State Senator Bruce Ennis, we now have these rings available at Woodland Beach.”

Secretary Garvin and Delaware Natural Resources Police officers reiterated critical safety tips for boaters:

• Life Jackets for Children: State law requires children aged 12 and younger to wear life jackets while underway. It’s recommended for everyone on board to wear a life jacket. Those over 12 not wearing a life jacket must have one easily accessible and properly fitted on board.
• Life Jackets for All: Encourage all passengers aged 13 and older to wear life jackets.
• Slow No Wake Zones: Adhere to “Slow No Wake” areas to prevent accidents and damage.
• Maintain Vigilance: Keep a watchful eye and maintain a safe distance from other vessels.
• Navigation Lights: Ensure navigation lights are working during times of low visibility, such as rain and fog, and at night.
• Safety Equipment: Carry a boating education card and required safety equipment appropriate for your vessel size, including a sound-producing device like a horn or whistle, a fire extinguisher, a Type IV throwable (such as a USCG-approved cushion or ring buoy), and navigation lights.
• Canoes, Kayaks and Paddle Boards: These vessels require life jackets on board and a whistle or other sound-producing device. A flashlight is also required if operating during times of low visibility and after sunset.
• Sober Operation: Alcohol use is a leading cause of fatal boating accidents. Always designate a sober operator to helm the boat.

In addition, Delaware mandates a boater safety course for individuals born on or after January 1, 1978. This course, available online, covers navigation rules, boat parts, state boating laws, and required safety equipment. Boaters must carry proof of completion, as it serves as a driver’s license on the water.

Even with safety measures, having life preservers readily available can help ensure a timely response during water rescues.

“As of 2024, this is the 138th year for the all-volunteer Citizens’ Hose Company. Since our founding in 1886, we have responded to water rescues in our area. We know time is everything,” said Senator Ennis. “That’s why Citizens’ Hose partnered with DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to provide these throwable life rings as a vital first response while we are on our way.”

“We at Citizens’ Hose Company strive to provide the citizens of our district, the surrounding communities, and all who visit our community a safe environment,” said Smyrna’s Citizens’ Hose Company Fire Chief Chip Thompson. “These life rings are another example of us providing ‘Service for Others.’ We hope with the installation of these life rings will help a person in the water, from when they are first spotted in the water until the arrival of emergency resources or self-removal. This is a great addition to our district and we know it will make a difference.”

Funded by the Citizens’ Hose Company and installed by DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife staff, the life rings are a crucial step toward enhancing safety on Delaware’s waterways. DNREC encourages all boaters to adhere to these safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. More information is available at de.gov/boatsafety.

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 owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

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

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The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will treat two downstate ponds over the next two weeks for the invasive aquatic weed hydrilla, notorious for choking waters, crowding out beneficial plant species and depriving anglers and boaters of recreational access. /USFWS photo

With inland water temperatures rising and aquatic plants emerging, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin the annual treatment of downstate public ponds for the foreign invasive aquatic weed hydrilla on Thursday, June 13, weather permitting. Hydrilla is a non-native plant that likely entered the state through the aquarium trade. Uncontrolled hydrilla can choke ponds and other waterways, crowding out beneficial plant species and preventing fishing and boating access.

The two ponds to be treated this year by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife are Wagamons Pond in Milton and Concord Pond near Seaford. Signs will be posted at the boat ramp of each pond on the day of treatment.

Sonar, an aquatic herbicide containing fluridone, will be used to treat the ponds for hydrilla. Registered and approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sonar has been applied in Delaware since the 1980s and proven to be environmentally-compatible and effective for controlling hydrilla. Sonar does not pose a threat to wildlife, including fish, and there no restrictions on fishing or the consumption of fish caught from waters where the treatment has been applied.

The only special restriction is for not using water from the treated ponds for irrigation for 30 days after the date of treatment. Residents and farmers whose properties are along and directly downstream of treated ponds should not use the water to irrigate their gardens, lawns, or agricultural lands during that period to avoid possible damage to their plantings. Landowners with permits to use water from these ponds for irrigation will be directly notified before treatment.

To prevent the spread of hydrilla and other invasive aquatic vegetation throughout the year, anglers and boaters are encouraged to remove all hydrilla and other aquatic plants from their boats, trailers and gear before leaving the boat ramp area from the ponds to be treated.

For more information, contact the DNREC Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.

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 owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn. 

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

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Grants, Rebates Can Help Residents Reduce Energy Costs

Delawareans looking for ways to decrease home energy costs will be able to get information on several new and existing programs available through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) at public meetings planned in each of the three counties this month.

DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy is hosting three public information sessions regarding two new home energy rebate programs to be launched later this year that will be funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.

The programs which, once approved by the U.S. Department of Energy, will make up to $66 million available to Delawareans in the form of rebates across a wide range of energy efficiency and electrification measures, such as heat pumps, electric stoves, electric load service upgrades, insulation, air sealing, ventilation and more.

“Energy efficiency measures are a key strategy in Delaware’s Climate Action Plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Improving energy efficiency also reduces energy costs, freeing up financial resources for families to use in other areas.”

The programs will target low- to moderate-income populations in disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution. Across both programs, rebates may be as high as $22,000 depending on the measures implemented in both single family and multi-family dwellings.

The meetings will also include resource tables providing information on other existing programs, including the Weatherization Assistance Program, Green Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Investment Fund.

The public information meetings will be held:

• Monday, June 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle;
• Tuesday, June 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover;
• Thursday, June 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes.

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, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

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I-ADAPT Helps Residents Identify Strategies to Prepare For Flooding

Delaware residents can now take advantage of a new web-based tool designed to help them identify steps they can take to protect their property from flood damage.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy and Division of Watershed Stewardship have launched I-ADAPT, the Individual Adaptation Decision And Planning Tool, to help Delawareans become more resilient to climate hazards, particularly flooding.

“Flooding is not something that impacts only our coastal communities,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Climate change is bringing more frequent and intense storms that result in flooding in our urban and inland communities. I-ADAPT can help identify ways that residents can prepare their homes and businesses before flooding occurs.”

Users input answers about their property and preferences and I-ADAPT uses that information to identify personalized adaptation solutions they can incorporate now or in the future to increase their property’s resilience to flood events. The recommendations also include estimated budgets and additional resources for specific projects.

At the end of the survey, users have the option of having recommendations emailed to them for ease and accessibility. To ensure user privacy, information shared with I-ADAPT is not saved. Users who do not save or email the adaptation strategies to themselves would need to recomplete the survey to receive the recommendations again.

DNREC has scheduled meetings in each of the three counties to promote awareness about I-ADAPT and how it works.

The meeting locations, times and dates are:

• Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Avenue, New Castle
• Tuesday, May 21, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover
• Thursday, May 23, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes

Computers and trained staff will be available to assist the public in using I-ADAPT to generate adaptation strategies for their individual properties. Visitors can stop by at any time during the informational events to learn about I-ADAPT and try it out for themselves.

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. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

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The DNREC Mosquito Control section’s woodland pools spray campaign targets larval (immature) mosquitoes before they can emerge as biting insects that torment Delawareans and visitors alike later in spring and summer. /DNREC photo

Spring Campaign to Reduce Numbers of Year’s First Biting Mosquitoes

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin its annual spraying of spring woodland pools to control aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes as early as Friday, March 15, weather permitting. The spring spray campaign by DNREC’s Mosquito Control section will begin in southern Sussex County, then expand into Kent and New Castle counties over the next several weeks. Controlling early-season woodland pool larval mosquitoes limits the emergence of biting adult mosquitoes later in the spring.

Up to 10,000 acres of wet woodlands near select populated areas will be treated with a helicopter applying the bacteria-derived insecticide Bti. As with all insecticides used by the Mosquito Control section within the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bti has been determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pose no unreasonable risks to human health, wildlife or the environment when applied in accordance with product label instructions as required by federal law.

The spring woodland mosquito larvae spraying campaign marks the beginning of Delaware’s mosquito control season – which in most years continues until late October or early November. Starting in April, Mosquito Control section activities will expand to larval and adult saltmarsh mosquitoes, other freshwater mosquitoes, and urban and suburban container-breeding mosquitoes to manage mosquito populations for improving the state’s quality of life and to protect public health.

Locations and times for scheduled mosquito spraying activity in the state can be obtained by calling toll-free 800-338-8181. Mosquito spraying announcements can also be received by email, text or voicemail by subscribing to Mosquito Control’s Spray Zone Notification System at de.gov/mosquitospray.

To request local mosquito control service, call a Mosquito Control section field office:

• Glasgow Office, 302-836-2555, serving New Castle County and the northern half of Kent County, including Dover.
• Milford Office, 302-422-1512, serving the southern half of Kent County south of Dover and all of Sussex County.

For more information on DNREC’s mosquito control efforts in Delaware, visit de.gov/mosquito.

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 owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

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