Meetings Planned in Each of Delaware’s Three Counties

Balancing how to best protect our marine resources while considering the needs of people who use or make their livelihood in Delaware’s Bay and ocean waters is the goal of an ocean and bay plan being developed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

To help develop the plan, DNREC is hosting three open house listening sessions to get feedback on how people use the ocean and bay, and to learn what is important to them.

“From our long-established fishing industry and commercial transport to tourism businesses to recreation and the emerging needs of clean energy, the Delaware Bay and ocean are key components of Delaware’s economy,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “At the same time, the ocean and bay are essential components of Delaware’s ecosystem that directly impact human well-being, from food security to public health. This plan will help us identify priorities and balance these sometimes competing interests.”

The listening sessions will take place in each of the three counties.

• Wednesday, June 28, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle
• Wednesday, July 12, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes
• Sunday, July 23, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover

Displays will highlight the resources and activities that contribute to Delaware’s vibrant coastal economy, healthy environment and core foundation. Attendees will be provided an introductory presentation on the goals and expected outcomes of the ocean and bay plan, as well as an overview of the anticipated development process.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to share what kind of needs they have to be able to use and enjoy ocean and bay resources responsibly, as well as resource management issues that are important to them.

While there will be no virtual component to the meetings, all session materials will be available on the Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan webpage, as well as a link to provide comments online.

When completed, the plan will serve as a reference document for existing and potential new ocean and bay users, identify and characterize ocean and bay uses and serve as an inventory of ocean and bay resources.

The plan will also describe the impacts of each water-dependent human activity on other uses and identified resources, as well as provide recommendations for best practices for balancing ocean and bay activities with the conservation of marine resources.

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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Jim Lee, jamesw.lee@delaware.gov

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Agency to provide opportunity for public input from Delawareans and other East Coast citizens on EPA’s proposal

WILMINGTON – Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a public meeting Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 to provide an opportunity for Delawareans and citizens of other East Coast states to comment on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal the federal Clean Power Plan (CPP). The DNREC-sponsored listening session will begin at 10 a.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

The goal of the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon pollution from coal-, oil-, and natural gas-burning power plants, all of which have been scientifically-proven as contributing to climate change. As the lowest lying state in the nation, Delaware already is experiencing the detrimental effects of climate change, and both Delaware and the nation will be further impacted by EPA’s proposed repeal of the plan. Because EPA has refused to provide a reasonable venue for Delawareans and others along the East Coast to voice their opinions on the proposed CPP repeal, DNREC has chosen to conduct a listening session enabling that opportunity. The EPA has held a public hearing only in Charleston, W. Va., and though additional hearings are planned for the Midwest and California, none are to take place on the East Coast. Comments from the Delaware public meeting will be submitted in the form of a transcript on behalf of all who speak on the proposed repeal to EPA’s federal docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355.

“EPA should not take action to repeal this important rule without first hearing from our citizens – and Delaware has stepped up to host this public meeting because EPA is not offering a reasonable venue for citizens’ voices to be heard,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The Clean Power Plan offers the states a vital and flexible tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s fossil-fuel burning power plants. We are hosting the meeting to afford the public the opportunity to participate in the EPA’s decision-making process that will directly impact their lives and environment.”

The federal Clean Power Plan – formally known by its EPA title “Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (EGUs)” – was promulgated on Oct. 23, 2015. On Oct. 16, 2017 the EPA proposed repealing it. More details about the Clean Power Plan can be found on EPA’s website, including the final rule, technical analyses, and other supporting information.

DNREC’s Division of Air Quality, which is hosting the listening session for comment on the CPP, anticipates limiting each speaker to five minutes, but time may be adjusted, depending on the number of people who register to speak. Those who still wish to speak are asked to register by emailing Valerie Gray (Valerie.Gray@delaware.gov).

For updated information on the CPP meeting and for more information on DNREC’s climate and greenhouse gas mitigation programs, please visit the Clean Power Plan webpage on the DNREC website. More information about the meeting and listening session is available on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

Media contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 3

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LEWES, Del (Feb. 18, 2014) – The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (MidA RPB) invites the public to provide input on the Draft Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Planning Framework by participating in a listening session.

Delaware’s representatives to the MidA RPB will host a public listening session from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27 at DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Services Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958. Registration is strongly encouraged prior to the session, but not required. Please visit the website to register.

The MidA RPB seeks robust input and comments on the Draft Framework, which will provide guideposts for how the MidA RPB moves forward with regional ocean planning. The Draft Framework proposes a draft vision, an initial geographic focus, and draft principles, goals and objectives.

The Draft Framework is available for public review and comment on the MidA RPB website through April 15, 2014. In addition to attending the listening session, the public is encouraged to email written comments to the MidA RPB at:  MidAtlanticRPB@boem.gov.

The MidA RPB will consider all comments received in revising the Draft Framework and will discuss the Revised Framework during its meeting in spring 2014. Please check the website for additional information.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body is an intergovernmental group created to coordinate and implement regional ocean planning.  It includes representatives of six states (DE, MD, NY, NJ, PA and VA), The Shinnecock Indian Nation, the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and nine federal agencies. The Federal agencies designated are: the Department of the Interior, represented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; the Department of Commerce, represented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Department of Defense, represented by the United States Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Department of Homeland Security, represented by the United States Coast Guard; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Department of Energy, represented by the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program; the Department of Transportation, represented by the Maritime Administration; and the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Additional information about the Regional Planning Body may be found at http://www.boem.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Regional-Planning-Body/.

Contact: Sarah W. Cooksey, Delaware Coastal Programs, 302-739-9283; John Clark, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-9914; or Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902