The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has declared an emergency closure for recreational clamming and mussel harvest in Indian River Bay until Aug. 24. DNREC’s mandatory closure protective of public health came after a pump station connected to the town of Millsboro’s sanitary sewer system failed today, discharging raw sewage into the Iron Branch, a tributary of the Indian River, which flows into the bay.

The harvest of crabs, conch and finfish are not affected by the closure. Oysters grown commercially under aquaculture leases in Rehoboth Bay are not impacted or affected by the Indian River Bay closure. Recreational harvest of oysters is prohibited in Delaware.

The wastewater spill has potentially caused fecal contamination of shellfish in Indian River Bay, which according to National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements, must be closed to bivalve shellfish harvest for 21 days to protect public health. The 21-day closure of shellfish harvest is a federal guideline that also gives bivalves time for natural cleansing.

DNREC also advises recreational water users to limit water contact in the upper Indian River Bay for the next few days, particularly in waters near the location of the spill.

The spill was stopped Wednesday afternoon. DNREC Division of Water staff are monitoring repairs at the Millsboro pump station. Delaware Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police working with the DNREC Delaware Shellfish Program are patrolling and monitoring Indian River Bay to enforce the closure of the bay to recreational bivalve harvest and to ensure recreational clammers are aware of it. More information about the closure and the Delaware Shellfish Program under DNREC authority can be found at de.gov/shellfish.

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 Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources. 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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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The Center for the Inland Bays has partnered with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to permanently protect and restore 52 acres of highly-valuable forests and wetlands bordering the Indian River on Piney Neck. In 2019, the Center identified the parcel of land adjacent to the Piney Point Tract of the Assawoman Wildlife Area as being for sale. Realizing the high conservation value of the ecologically-diverse parcel on the River, the Center worked with DNREC to leverage its funds with those from the Delaware Open Space Program. In December of 2019, the property was purchased by the Department for inclusion into the Assawoman Wildlife Area owned and managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Shortly thereafter in February, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Center jointly funded and planted 16,600 tree seedlings to reforest 16 acres of the parcel. The team also purchased and installed 925 tree tubes to protect seedlings from deer damage. This and the benefit of a cool wet spring has made the planting an early success.

“While valuable habitats have been damaged by human activities over time, this latest project represents what can be done when we identify a need, leverage grant support and get to work,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “We have been able to preserve wildlife habitat, restore critical wetland and improve water quality for this Indian River community and for generations to come.”

The reforestation adds to the Indian River’s natural buffer and prevents more than 250 pounds of excess nutrients from polluting the water each year. The project will help to reduce the very high levels of pollution currently entering one of Delaware’s most ecologically and recreationally important waterbodies. For decades, excess nutrients have caused algal blooms that have killed off the River’s underwater baygrasses and led to dissolved oxygen levels unhealthy for fish and crabs. Forested buffers like the one enhanced through this project are an important tool to provide clean water to the River while conserving wildlife on the land.

The purchase of the property expands the Assawoman Wildlife Area on Piney Point by 11%, while the tree planting will create a larger tract of forest for the benefit of wildlife. Many species of animals need large contiguous blocks of forest for shelter, food, and breeding habitat. However, forests in Sussex County are disappearing rapidly due to development, and those that remain are becoming fragmented into many small pieces. The reforestation effort will result in an additional six acres of important “interior” forest to support animals like the eastern box turtle and migratory songbirds such as the wood thrush. Since the 1970s, populations of wood thrush have declined by 60% in the eastern United States. The hope is that projects like this will stem these losses and provide more habitat for this once common bird with an unforgettably beautiful song.

“Partnership projects like this greatly benefit the Inland Bays and its communities,” says Chris Bason, the Center’s Executive Director. “Not only have we together with DNREC protected wildlife habitat and reduced water pollution, we have secured additional outdoor recreation opportunities for a rapidly growing local population.”

About the Delaware Center for Inland Bays

The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays is a non-profit organization established in 1994 and is one of 28 National Estuary Programs. With its many partners, the Center works to preserve, protect and restore Delaware’s Inland Bays and their watershed. For more information, contact Lisa Swanger (302-226-8105 x 103; lswanger@inlandbays.org) or visit www.inlandbays.org.

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

Contact: Lisa Swanger, Center for Inland Bays, 302-226-8105 x103

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REHOBOTH BEACH – The Indian River Marina, owned and operated by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, is still accepting registrations for the 5th annual “Kids Catch-All” fishing tournament Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23 at the marina. Children and teenagers aged 3-18 are invited to participate in the event, during which every young angler will receive a prize.

During the tournament, anglers may fish from the jetties, off the beach by boat and head boat. Ocean and bay fishing is permitted. Adults are allowed to assist the young anglers.

Registration is $25 per child or $150 per boat with up to six participants. The fee includes a free event t-shirt and all-you-can-eat dinners on Saturday and Sunday evenings for kids entered in the tournament. Other family members can also attend the dinners for a $10 fee.

Onsite registration will be open Friday evening, June 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday morning, June 22 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Online registration is available now via www.kidscatchall.com. All children must be registered either online by 8 p.m. Friday or in-person by 8 a.m. Saturday to participate. All registrants need to visit the tournament booth to pick up a copy of the tournament rules before fishing.

Custom trophies in 15 different categories will be awarded to the winners at the awards banquet held Sunday evening. Each registrant will also receive a special gift from Hook’em and Cook’em Outfitters. Door prizes will be awarded each night during dinner.

Weigh-in is from 3-6:30 p.m. Saturday, and 3-6 p.m. Sunday. The marina’s weighmaster is expected to make the process fun for the whole family. A leader board will be maintained, and pictures of the kids and their catches will be taken by the Coastal Fisherman, an Ocean City, Md.-based newspaper.

A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva, Inc. More information about the fishing tournament or how to become a sponsor is available by calling Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva at 410-749-LYME or 410-726-4573.

More information about the contest is available from the Indian River Marina at 302-227-3071.

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

REHOBOTH BEACH – The Indian River Marina, owned and operated by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, will host the 5th annual “Kids Catch-All” fishing tournament Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23 at the marina. Children and teenagers aged 3-18 are invited to participate in the event, during which every young angler will win a prize.

During the tournament, kids have choices as to how they want to fish: from the beach, at jetties, or by private or charter boat. They can also choose where they want to fish: in the ocean, in inland waterways, or via deep-sea fishing. Adults are allowed to assist youngsters reeling in their catch.

Registration is $25 per child or $150 per boat with up to six participants. The fee includes a free event t-shirt and all-you-can-eat dinners on Saturday and Sunday evenings for kids entered in the tournament. Other family members can pay $10 for the dinners, prepared by local restaurants both nights.

Onsite registration will be open Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. both days. Online registration is available now via www.kidscatchall.com. All children must be registered either online by 8 p.m. Friday or in-person by 8 a.m. Saturday to participate. Online registrants need to visit the tournament booth to pick up a copy of the tournament rules before fishing.

Custom trophies in 15 different categories will be awarded to the winners at the awards banquet held Sunday evening. Each registrant will also receive a special gift from Hook’em and Cook’em Outfitters. Door prizes will be awarded each night during dinner.

Weigh-in is from 3-6:30 p.m. Saturday, and 3-6 p.m. Sunday. The marina’s weighmaster is expected to make the process fun for the whole family. A leader board will be maintained, and pictures of the kids and their catches will be taken by the Coastal Fisherman an Ocean City, Md.-based newspaper.

A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva, Inc. More information about the fishing tournament or how to become a sponsor is available by calling Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva at 410-749-LYME or 410-726-4573.

More information about the contest is available from the Indian River Marina at 302-227-3071.

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

DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has cancelled an Aug. 17 public hearing on the permit application submitted by Calhoun Properties, LLC for a mooring field in the Indian River near Dagsboro for the Tuckahoe Acres Campground Resort. The Department cancelled the hearing because the application was withdrawn Aug. 14 by Calhoun Properties, LLC. For more information, please contact Tyler Brown, DNREC environmental Section program manager, at 302-739-9943 or email tyler.brown@delaware.gov.

Vol. 47, No. 186

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