UPDATE on DNREC operations in response to COVID-19

Events, including private rentals, canceled through May 15;
One-day cleaning period implemented between rentals of State Park cabins and cottages

DOVER, Del. – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues to focus on taking a proactive and preventative approach to keep communities and employees safe in the midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, while maintaining operations and services as best as possible.

Detailed information about events, meetings and online options is available at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/coronavirus and destateparks.com/Covid19. A few of the updates include:

  • All Department events and programs scheduled from now through May 15 have been canceled, consistent with the Governor’s state of emergency order. The cancellations include private rentals and events at Delaware State Parks sites and facilities, such as picnics, 5Ks and parties. Organizers of events are being notified directly.
  • All state parks and wildlife areas remain open and no entrance fees will be charged through April 30. Anyone visiting a park or wildlife area is encouraged to engage in responsible social distancing practices and avoid groupings of people. Annual park passes, good for the entire season, and surf fishing tags should be purchased online only or at any third-party agents instead of at park offices or in the Dover office. Purchased park passes will be mailed before April 30. Conservation access passes needed for state wildlife areas after April 30 should also be purchased only online or at any third-party agents instead of the Dover office.
  • All state park campsites, cabins, bathhouses, and cottages continue to be open at this time. There will be at least one-day break between rental periods of cabins and cottages to allow for thorough, increased cleanings between guests.
  • Public hearings will be available via phone or video conference. The public will be able to submit comments about the subject of each hearing via email, online form, or regular mail. Verbatim transcripts will be prepared by a court reporter while all exhibits entered into the hearing record will be posted on hearing-specific DNREC webpages. Specific information on how to access each hearing will be posted with individual hearing notices.
  • Sales of fishing licenses, hunting licenses, wildlife area conservation access passes and boat registrations will be online transactions only or made at any third-party vendors that remain open. The Department has provided convenient links to these resources on its homepage, available at dnrec.delaware.gov.
  • Commercial fishing license sales will continue at the Department’s main office in Dover but by appointment only. Call 302-739-9916 to make an appointment.
  • Applications and information provided for well, septic, air, water and other permits are being accepted by email, mail and phone, reducing direct interchange of documents.
  • Offices remain open, but with limited services. A limited number of staff are onsite, but many personnel are working remotely, and available by email and phone to provide technical assistance to the public, contractors, and environmental consultants on regulatory inquiries and permitting matters.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Delaware, visit de.gov/coronavirus.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov


Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter March 2-8

Weekly reminder: Shad harvest prohibited in Nanticoke River and its tributaries

Picture of the DNREC Fish & Wildlife Police ShieldDOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from March 2-8 made 1,351 public contacts and responded to 49 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 60 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: Hunt on state refuge, possess/transport unlawfully taken antlerless deer, wanton waste of game animal, trespassing after hours on state wildlife area*, and operate motor vehicle off the established roadway on state wildlife area*.

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number, unlicensed fishing, and fishing in trout pond before opening day.

Boating and Boating Safety: No boating safety card and no boat ramp certificate.

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by person prohibited, possession of firearm ammunition by person prohibited, possession of a deadly weapon by person prohibited, possession of drug paraphernalia non-marijuana related, possession of heroin, possession of synthetic marijuana (spice), possession of marijuana tier 1 quantity, and possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana related – civil.

Other: Fugitive from another state, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, fail to have motor vehicle insurance in possession, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app downloaded from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to 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.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind both recreational and commercial anglers that American shad and hickory shad harvest is prohibited on the Nanticoke River and its tributaries. In other waterways, American shad and hickory shad can be harvested all year, with no size limit, and a daily limit of 10 in any combination. For more information on shad visit this link.

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 Fish & Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 24 – March 1

Weekly reminder: DU Greenwing Conservation Festival set for April 4

Picture of the DNREC Fish & Wildlife Police ShieldDOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Feb. 24 – March 1 made 1,812 public contacts and responded to 34 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 12 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: Possession of unlawfully taken game bird, hunting snow goose without required conservation order season permit, possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl, possession of prohibited lead shot size while hunting migratory waterfowl, wanton waste of a game animal, and hunting illegally on Sunday.

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area*, conspiracy 3rd, theft under $1,500, and selling stolen property under $1,500.
*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

The majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to de.gov/ogt, or with the DENRP Tip app; Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and other Division of Fish & Wildlife staff will be attending the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Conservation Festival on April 4 at Fish & Wildlife’s Owens Station complex near Greenwood. The Division will feature numerous displays and activities, including the Operation Game Theft trailer; a marine patrol vessel; an archery trailer; hunter education, youth Sport Fishing Tournament, and waterfowl and trout stamp displays; “Take-A-Kid Fishing” casting activities; and a K-9 demonstration. New this year is a turkey checking station where youth hunters can register wild turkeys harvested from offsite locations during the April 4 Youth Turkey Hunting Day. For more information, click Greenwing Conservation Festival. Mark your calendar.

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 Fish & Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov

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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 17-23

Reminder for the week: Youth Academy registration open

Picture of the DNREC Natural Resources Police BadgeDOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education, and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Feb. 17-23 made 1,376 public contacts and responded to 53 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 27 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to register antlerless deer.

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.

Public Safety: Possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, possession of marijuana – civil, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area*, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app downloaded from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to 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.

Are you AWARE?
The 2020 Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Youth Academies are scheduled!

The Youth Academies are free, one-week programs designed to teach youth about protecting Delaware’s natural resources and nurturing the relationship between law enforcement officers and the community. Two Basic Youth Academies are offered this summer: June 22-26 in Kent County and July 13-17 in New Castle County. Applications will be accepted through Friday, May 29, 2020. For more information and to submit your application visit Youth Academy.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167

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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 10-16

Reminder for the week: River herring, striped bass, and spillway net fishing regulations


DOVER
– DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education, and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Feb. 10-16 made 1,508 public contacts and responded to 34 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of five citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: No conservation access pass.

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia and using a cell phone while driving.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area*.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app downloaded from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to 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.

Are you AWARE?
With spring fishing season fast approaching, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind recreational anglers that it is unlawful in Delaware to harvest river herring. Signs giving notice of the fishery closure are posted at fishing spots known to hold river herring. Fines for illegal possession of river herring begin at $50 for a first offense and increase to $100-$500 for a second offense. For more information, click river herring.

Anglers are also reminded that during striped bass spawning season from April 1 through May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River or its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. For more information, click striped bass.

Also, as fish begin entering spillways this spring, anglers are reminded that using any type of net to catch fish in tidal water within 300 feet below a dam or spillway is illegal, with the exception of using a landing net on a fish caught with hook and line.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167.