DDOA Invites Public Comment on Its FY2022–FY2025 Strategic Plan

Wilmington, Del. (March 5, 2021) – The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) invites public comment through March 14, 2021 on the final draft of its new four-year strategic plan. Public feedback is critical in finalizing the plan on behalf of constituents across the state. The Division envisions “a future when every person and community in Delaware has access to, and appreciation for, the diversity, richness, and transformative power of the arts.”

Members of the public can access both the draft plan for FY2022-FY2025 and the public comment submission form by visiting https://arts.delaware.gov/strategic-plan/. After reviewing the draft document, members of the public can offer feedback or comments during the public review period, before the Division finalizes the plan for approval by the Delaware State Arts Council.

Since October 2020, the Delaware Division of the Arts, the Delaware State Arts Council, and planning consultants from the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement have conducted focus groups, regional meetings, individual interviews, and online surveys. The process engaged more than 400 people representing a wide range of backgrounds to learn more about how the arts can help to enrich Delaware’s communities.

The result is a strategic plan designed to help the Division target its resources in effective and productive ways over the next four years, with a particular focus on expanding its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in programming, services, and outreach.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will extend the public comment period through Tuesday, Dec. 1 on the Diamond State Port Corporation’s (DSPC) proposed new container port on the Delaware River at the DSPC property at 4600 Hay Road, Edgemoor, New Castle County.

DNREC held a virtual public hearing on the container port proposal Sept. 29 and the public comment period was scheduled to end Nov. 1. Widespread interest in the project – which will require permits from both DNREC’s Division of Water and the Division of Waste of Hazardous Substances, as well as a Federal Consistency Certification from the Delaware Coastal Management Program within DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy – led DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin to extend the comment deadline 30 days.

Written comments may be submitted online, via email or mail from now Port Contuntil close of DNREC business, 4:30 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Dec. 1. Written comments are made available for public viewing on the DNREC website (https://de.gov/portproject) as they are received. Instructions for submitting comments can be found at the same site/url.

All comments receive equal weight from DNREC and will be reviewed by the hearing officer as she makes her recommendations on all pending matters associated with this proposed project to Secretary Garvin. Comments will also be reviewed by the Secretary as he makes a final decision on the applications for DNREC permits.

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 Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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The strategic plan for FY2022 – FY2026 to be released in March 2021

Dover, Del. (October 8, 2020) – The Division has partnered with the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement to develop a new strategic plan for FY2022–FY2026 that identifies and incorporates the ideas, issues and initiatives of Delaware’s arts community including its artists, organizations, audiences and educators.

This strategic plan will reinforce and recognize the value of the arts as it relates to economic prosperity, education, strong communities, and individual health and wellbeing.

A primary focus in this planning process will be to identify ways in which the Division can better serve and elevate the arts sector in an equitable manner to cultivate expanded diversity and inclusion in programming, access, and allocation of resources.

The public input process will include one-on-one phone and virtual interviews with individuals, focus groups, multiple online surveys and virtual town halls.

October 2020 (by invitation only)

November 2020 (open to the public)

In late February 2021, a draft of the Division’s new Strategic Plan for FY2022-FY2026 will be released for public input, and in March 2021, the final plan will be formally approved by the Delaware State Arts Council and printed and published on the Division’s website at arts.delaware.gov/strategic-plan/.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

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The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

The Pomeroy Bridge within White Clay Creek State Park

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has created a draft master plan for White Clay Creek State Park, and will host an open house for the public to provide comments and ask questions. The open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced in May 2018 that the Division of Parks & Recreation would create a master plan for the future of the park. The Division of Parks & Recreation previously held four open houses and also provided an online survey in 2018 to gather public input. More than 1,300 participants have provided feedback to date.

The draft master plan is available online at www.destateparks.com/whiteclaymasterplan. This webpage will be updated as the process moves forward.

More than 60 items are proposed in the draft master plan. Focus areas include:

• The Nature Center and programming complex: Facility improvements, interpretive locations, and sustainable access are needed.
• Park office move: The draft master plan calls for the park office to be moved to an existing building in the Carpenter Recreation Area, creating easier access for most park users.
• Judge Morris area: A new partnership, with a special events business, is expected to revitalize the Judge Morris Estate.
• Potential partnerships: The Division of Parks & Recreation will explore partnerships for the adaptive reuse of some buildings, and limited areas.
• Natural and cultural stewardship: Actions are necessary to protect and enhance the native ecology and cultural history of the park.
• Parking and vehicular ingress/egress: Among others, this recommendation includes the proposed closure of three segments of road to vehicle traffic, where it is currently restricted.
• Signage and programming: This includes efforts to improve signage and information on natural and historic features, as well as trail etiquette.
• Trail projects: An updated trail planning effort is incorporated into the draft master plan.
• Camping: Camping opportunities are proposed to enhance visitors’ park experiences. More evaluation is needed to determine amenities to be offered and their scope.

Now that a draft master plan has been created, the Division of Parks & Recreation will again provide the opportunity for public involvement and will clarify next steps. These include:

• 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, July 30 – The Division of Parks & Recreation will host the open house to take comments and answer questions from the public on the draft master plan.
• 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 1 – The draft master plan will be presented to the Parks & Recreation Council, an 11-member board appointed by the Governor, that advises the Division of Parks & Recreation.
• August 2019 – The Division of Parks & Recreation will make any necessary revisions to the draft, and the revised version will serve as the final draft master plan, which will be posted online on the DNREC website.
• Late summer-early autumn 2019 – The Division of Parks & Recreation will host a public meeting on the final draft master plan, to provide the opportunity for any remaining public comments or questions to be heard and addressed.
• Autumn 2019 – The director of the Division of Parks & Recreation will determine if the final draft master plan should be adopted.

The public is encouraged to submit comments or questions on the draft master plan, whether or not they can attend the open house. Comments can be emailed to DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or sent by US Mail to: DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

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

Vol. 49, No. 186

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DOVER – In response to numerous requests from community associations, environmental advocates, and members of the public who attended a Nov. 20 DNREC public hearing on Walan Specialty Construction Products, LLC’s application for a construction permit administered by DNREC’s Division of Air Quality, the Department has extended the public comment period on the company’s permit application through close of business Dec. 31, 2018.

On Oct. 19, DNREC received a Regulation No. 1102 Natural Minor Construction Permit Application submitted by Walan Specialty Construction Products, LLC to construct a slag grinding, drying, and processing facility at the company’s proposed location for the facility at 501 Christiana Avenue in Wilmington.

Anyone wishing to submit written comment for DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin’s consideration regarding Walan Specialty Construction Products, LLC’s construction permit application may do so by emailing DNREC Hearing Officer Lisa Vest at lisa.vest@delaware.gov, or by USPS to Ms. Vest’s attention c/o of DNREC Office of the Secretary, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Comments must be submitted in written form and received by the Department no later than close of business (4:30 p.m.) on Dec. 31 for inclusion in the formal hearing record.

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

Vol. 48, No. 325

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