Virtual Public Workshop Scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), will begin soliciting for new water quality improvement projects Thursday, Jan. 12 as DNREC and DPH start to develop 2023 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) project priority lists. Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF project priority lists to be considered for funding. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for clean water and drinking water projects will be provided through the existing State Revolving Fund (SRF) process.

Notices of Intent (NOI) for SRF wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects must be received by DNREC Environmental Finance by close of business at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

DNREC will hold a State Revolving Loan Fund virtual public workshop at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12 offering a detailed overview of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. Attendees will get guidance on requesting financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project needs. Pre-registration for the virtual workshop is required.

Workshop attendees also will learn how SRF programs administered by DNREC Environmental Finance can provide a wide range of financial assistance, including:

• A one-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance, including new funding available under the BIL
  • Supplemental funding available to address emerging contaminants and lead service line replacement
  • Additional subsidies to disadvantaged communities for water infrastructure projects

The workshop also will cover information about planning tools to assist SRF applicants with:

• Wastewater, drinking water, and surface water matching planning grants
• Asset management planning grants
• Project planning advances
• Planning and design loans

Additionally, the workshop will offer guidance on how and when to submit projects for funding consideration; project ranking criteria; project construction requirements, and how to apply for infrastructure planning grants. Information on the loan and grant programs and applications can be found at de.gov/envfinance.

Applications for wastewater, drinking water, surface water matching planning grants are also due by DNREC close of business at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

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 Environmental Finance team administers Delaware’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, making funding available to municipalities, the private sector, nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

Virtual Public Workshop Scheduled on March 24

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in conjunction with the Division of Public Health, will begin soliciting for new water quality improvement projects March 24 as DNREC and DPH start to develop 2022 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) project priority lists. Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF project priority lists to be considered for funding – this year, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for clean water and drinking water projects will be provided through the existing State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs.

Notices of Intent (NOI) for SRF wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects must be received by DNREC Environmental Finance by close of business at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 25.

DNREC will hold a State Revolving Loan Fund virtual public workshop at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 24 offering a detailed overview of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. Attendees will get guidance on requesting financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project needs. Pre-registration for the virtual workshop is required.

Workshop attendees also will learn how SRF programs administered by DNREC Environmental Finance can provide a wide range of financial assistance, including:

• A one-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance, including new funding available under the B
• New under BIL – supplemental funding available to address emerging contaminants and lead service line replacement
• New under BIL – additional subsidies to disadvantaged communities for water infrastructure projects
•  

The workshop also will cover information about planning tools to assist SRF applicants

• Wastewater, drinking water, and surface water matching planning grants
• Asset management planning grants
• Project planning advances
• Planning and design loans

Additionally, the workshop will offer guidance on how and when to submit projects for funding consideration; project ranking criteria; project construction requirements, and how to apply for infrastructure planning grants. Information on the loan and grant programs and applications can be found at de.gov/envfinance.

Applications for wastewater, drinking water, surface water matching planning grants are also due by DNREC close of business at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 25.

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 Environmental Finance team administers Delaware’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, making funding available to municipalities, the private sector, nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov.

Smyrna – Are you prepared for an emergency or disaster?  Disasters can strike suddenly, anytime and anywhere, and first responders may not be able to reach you right away.

If you were unable to attend the Community Preparedness Workshop in Georgetown, a second workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover (1121 Forrest Ave, Dover, DE 19904), from 8:30AM – 1:30PM.  The workshop is free and open to the public, but registration is required.  Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to talk with our preparedness partner exhibitors.  Coffee, tea, water, and light refreshments will be available in the morning before the workshop.  Delaware Citizen Corps, the Office of Preparedness, and the Modern Maturity Center (MMC) in Dover are partnering to hold this workshop.

What can you do to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors if an emergency or disaster happens?  The major goal of this workshop is to better equip seniors and people with disabilities with knowledge to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies at home and disasters in their communities.  In 2019 Delaware experienced winter storms, severe storms, power outages, flooding, tornadoes, as well as threats from hurricanes and coastal storms.  Anything can happen to anyone at any time.  Learning about what can happen and how to be prepared is increasingly important.

Speakers will include trainers from the Kent County Department of Public Safety, Office of Preparedness, Delaware Citizen Corps, as well as specialists from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI), and Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities/Adult Protective Services. The workshop will feature information and resources for how to make emergency and communications plans, make an emergency kit, and learn about fire safety.

Seating is limited. Registration for this free workshop is required and is online at Eventbrite at https://mmcpw.eventbrite.com. To request special needs accommodations for hearing or visual impairments or other needs, please contact Beth MacDonald by Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Beth.MacDonald@Delaware.gov.

Follow Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/delawareemergencymanagementagency

Follow Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Twitter, https://www.twitter.com/delawareema

Contact: Jeff Sands, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, 302-659-2211.

LEWES – The 6th annual Introduction to Living Shorelines Workshop for landscape architects, engineers, and contractors will be held Wednesday and Thursday, March 20-21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, at the DNREC Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958. The workshop is hosted by DNREC’s Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program and the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, with support from the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee.

The 2019 workshop focuses on the ecology behind living shorelines and implementing projects with specific goals. On day one of the workshop, participants will learn about the plants and animals living in shoreline habitats; shoreline issues and what causes them; and how living shoreline projects can support habitat and provide natural solutions to shoreline issues. Day two of the workshop will focus on site evaluation, designing for particular goals, an introduction to living shoreline materials, and a review of project permitting. Over the course of the two days, participants will also experience hands-on activities such as group projects and field visits.

Stable shorelines protect coastal communities and serve as important habitat for native animals. However, common “hard” methods of shoreline stabilization do not adequately serve both purposes. As a natural solution, living shorelines are engineered using native plant material, shellfish, sand, and some hard structures. Living shorelines prevent erosion, reduce wave energy, trap floating sediment, and filter stormwater runoff from lawns and pavement – all while maintaining natural beach or wetland habitats. For more information about living shorelines, visit www.delawarelivingshorelines.org.

The Introduction to Living Shorelines Workshop is offered free of charge, with lunch provided. Space is limited to 25 participants and attendance on both days is required. To sign up, visit https://deintrolivingshorelines.eventbrite.com. Professionals currently working in Delaware will be given preference. To register or for more information, please email Brittany.Haywood@state.de.us.

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

Vol. 49, No. 25

DOVER – Delaware’s Offshore Wind Working Group will host two public workshops in May for input on the working group’s draft recommendations to the Governor.

Workshops will be held at 6 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

• Tuesday, May 29, William Penn High School Auditorium, 713 E. Basin Road New Castle, DE 19720
• Thursday, May 31, South Coastal Library, 43 Kent Avenue, Bethany Beach, DE 19930

The workshops will begin with a brief update on draft recommendations that were developed at the working group’s April 23 meeting. The public may then offer comments on the draft recommendations.

The recommendations focus on three key questions:

• What factors need to be considered before Delaware responds when a company proposes to develop offshore wind?
• What factors need to be considered in a decision on whether the state would solicit or purchase energy, capacity or renewable energy credits (RECs) from an offshore wind project?
• What can Delaware do to position itself to become the location for part of the supply chain for offshore wind projects in the Mid-Atlantic?

The draft recommendations, along with briefing materials, public comments, and additional resources are posted at de.gov/offshorewind.

All Offshore Wind Working Group meetings are open to the public and posted on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

For more information, or to submit written comment, please contact Tom Noyes, principal planner for utility policy, DNREC Division of Energy & Climate, by emailing Thomas.Noyes@delaware.gov or calling 302-735-3480.

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

Vol. 48, No. 129