Available to businesses, local governments and non-profits

DOVER, Del. – Delaware organizations looking to reduce energy consumption and related costs through energy-efficient lighting now have expanded grant opportunities through Delaware’s Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF). Administered by DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, the fund offers grants to offset the cost of energy efficiency improvements, and has broadened the kinds of light fixtures that will qualify for grants while adjusting incentives offered for large custom projects to reflect competitive regional market rates.

EEIF assists with energy assessments, lighting, HVAC, complex retrofits, building improvements, and thermal energy systems. Changes to the lighting incentives include 34 new categories of eligible fixtures, varying incentive rates based on wattage, and the addition of incentives for lighting control systems. All incentive levels also have been adjusted to reflect market conditions for LED lights.

Updates to comprehensive custom projects have been made to promote maximum energy efficiency efforts, including implementing a tiered system that encourages applicants to consider projects with multiple end-use benefits. The EEIF program is also creating its first incentives for reducing emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

“The EEIF program has been hugely successful supporting projects that saved over 55 million kilowatts in fiscal year 2019 alone,” said Dayna Cobb, director of the Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy. “These additions to EEIF add even greater value to a program that is already reducing energy usage and pollution.”

EEIF is funded through the Public Utility Tax (PUT), the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and one-time funding from the Exelon-Pepco merger settlement through which Delmarva Power, a major Delaware energy provider, became an Exelon company in 2016. Grant amounts are capped at 30 percent of the project’s total cost. Any application approved after Feb. 1, 2020 will reflect the new lighting and custom incentive levels.

For details on the program, application forms, and a list of eligible lighting products and rebates for deploying them, please visit www.de.gov/eeif.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship is now accepting project proposals for matching grants for community water quality improvement projects. Delaware non-profit organizations, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowner’s associations are eligible to apply. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. March 18.

Community Water Quality Improvement Grants assist in implementing projects or programs to improve water quality on developed lands with specific watershed improvement plans and strategies. Programs and projects selected must demonstrate innovative and sustainable methods, techniques, and/or practices for water quality improvements, with cost effective and measurable results. Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council through a competitive grant process.

Funding for projects receiving a grant award in this cycle is expected to range from $25,000 to $75,000. The grant requires a 25 percent cash match, which may be federal, state, or local cash. Applicants may submit up to two project proposals per grant cycle.

Proposals should be submitted by email to NPS.grants@delaware.gov, subject line: Community Water Quality Improvement Grant. Proposals submitted by email must be less than 10MB. Project guidelines and the application can be found on DNREC’s website on the Environmental Finance webpage.

For more information, please contact Sharon Webb at 302-739-9922.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

FENWICK – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has extended the Fenwick Island State Park Proposed Improvements Survey deadline to Jan. 15, 2020. The extension is to allow further input regarding improvements to the park that are under consideration.

The estimated $18 million in proposed improvements look at ways to improve traffic flow, upgrade infrastructure, and add new recreational amenities. Ørsted, an offshore wind developer, has proposed funding these projects as part of a public-private partnership.

The funding for the amenities under consideration could be done sooner if the State allows the Maryland Skipjack Wind Farm project proposed in Federal waters to connect to the electrical grid under Fenwick Island State Park. DNREC is extending the period to take comments on the park improvements. Comments on the wind farm should be directed to United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Office of Public Affairs at BOEMPublicAffairs@boem.gov, 202-208-6474 or 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

The Fenwick Island State Park Proposed Improvements Survey and its comment section are specific to the park and its amenities. For questions or to complete the survey, visit www.destateparks.com/FenwickImprovements.

For more information about the Skipjack Wind Farm, visit https://skipjackwindfarm.com. For additional information on the Federal approval process through BOEM, visit www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maryland-activities.

Contact: Shauna McVey, DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation, 302-739-9220.

(Cutting the ribbon for the Little Creek Wildlife Area boardwalk trail and wildlife-viewing tower east of Dover are, left to right: Governor John Carney, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis, Delaware Bayshore Initiative Coordinator Anthony Gonzon, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, past DNREC Secretary David Small, Representative Bill Carson, Little Creek Mayor Glenn Gauvry, Federal Highway Administration Delaware Division Administrator Doug Atkin, and DelDOT Byways Program Manager Mike Hahn. DNREC photo by Joanna Wilson.)

Division of Fish & Wildlife-managed facility offers Bayshore views for visitors of all abilities

DOVER – Delaware Governor John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin were joined today by State Representative Bill Carson, Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis, Little Creek Mayor Glenn Gauvry, Federal Highway Administration Delaware Division Administrator Doug Atkin, and DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife and DelDOT staff to cut the ribbon officially opening the newly-completed Little Creek wildlife-viewing tower and accompanying boardwalk on the Little Creek Wildlife Area east of Dover.

The two-level observation tower’s boardwalk trail, lower level deck, and parking are fully-accessible for visitors with disabilities. The tower includes a unique railing design and expanded toe box on the lower level to allow disabled visitors to move closer to the rails for a better view.

A popular location with local bird watchers for decades, the new Little Creek Wildlife Area facility replaces an outdated tower that was not accessible to visitors with physical limitations and disabilities. Seasonally, visitors can view a variety waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds from the tower and along the boardwalk. Travelers along the Route 9 corridor, part of Delaware’s Bayshore Byway, can stop at this new destination to take in the beauty of Delaware’s Bayshore. Interpretive signs provide visitors with information about the wildlife, habitat, and management of the Little Creek Wildlife Area.

“Delaware’s Bayshore, and the Delaware Bayshore Byway that brings visitors here, are among our state’s treasures, from its woods, waters, and wetlands, to its historic small towns nestled along our eastern coastline,” said Governor Carney. “The accessible features of this specially-designed tower, boardwalk, and parking make it convenient for all visitors – including those with disabilities – to see and enjoy this part of our beautiful Bayshore.”

“The new Little Creek wildlife-viewing tower provides a sweeping view of the Delaware Bay and some of its many marshes to attract birders as well as visitors simply enjoying a beautiful day on the Bayshore,” said Secretary Garvin. “This new facility also demonstrates DNREC’s commitment to providing exceptional outdoor recreational experiences for visitors of all abilities.”

Funding for the $1.06 million project comes from Delaware Bayshore Initiative Bond Bill funds, Trails and Pathways Bond Bill funds, and Federal Highway Administration Scenic Byway Grant funds for the Delaware Bayshore Byway. The project supports the Delaware Bayshore Initiative by enhancing outdoor recreation access and supporting local communities like nearby Little Creek.

Managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, the Little Creek Wildlife Area provides opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, and other similar outdoor recreation activities. The Division of Fish & Wildlife manages 19 wildlife areas totaling more than 60,000 acres statewide, including dozens of public-use facilities.

DNREC’s Conservation Access Pass (CAP) requirement for registered motor vehicles used to access wildlife areas is waived on the Little Creek Wildlife Area from Friday, Nov. 8 through Monday, Nov. 11. CAP revenues generated throughout the year are used by the Division of Fish & Wildlife to maintain wildlife-viewing structures and for habitat management on wildlife areas.

The Little Creek Wildlife Area is part of Delaware’s Bayshore Region, the area that stretches from New Castle to Lewes along the Delaware River and Bay coastline. The Delaware Bayshore Initiative enhances and promotes the region as a world-class conservation and low-impact recreation area, strengthens local communities, and improves the quality of life for all Delawareans. The initiative received recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior, as one of the country’s most promising ways to reconnect America to the natural world.

Formally launched in 2015, the Delaware Bayshore Byway follows Route 9 starting in historic New Castle and ending in the City of Lewes, meandering along Delaware’s river and bay shoreline through coastal marshes and forests, fields and farms, quiet coastal communities, and recreational and historic sites. The Scenic Byway Grant, administered to DNREC by DelDOT through the Federal Highway Administration, provides funds to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities along the Bayshore Byway.

For more information on the Little Creek Wildlife Area, please contact the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

NEW CASTLE – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that repairs and upgrades to the rifle-pistol range at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center will begin Sept. 3. The rifle-pistol range will be closed during construction until its anticipated reopening on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Repairs and upgrades to the rifle-pistol range will involve replacing a damaged concrete floor, and installing a new drainage system, block wall and entryway. The improvements are part of upgrading the Ommelanden shooting range facility to better serve the Division’s shooting sports customers.

Trap and skeet fields and archery courses will not be impacted by these improvements and will remain open during regular operating days and hours available at Ommelanden Range.

For more information, contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 237