Informational workshop set for Sept. 13 at State Street Commons in Dover

DOVER (Aug. 29, 2016)– 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. Oct. 26, 2016.

Community Water Quality Improvement Grants assist in implementing projects or programs to improve water quality on developed lands consistent with specific plans developed for watershed improvements. Programs and projects selected will 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 anticipated to range from $25,000 minimum to $75,000 maximum. This 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.

An informational workshop will be held 1 – 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at State Street Commons, Commons Training Center, 100 W. Water Street, Dover, DE 19904. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 8 by contacting Sharon Webb, Nonpoint Source Pollution Program, at 302-739-9922.

Proposals must be submitted by email by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 to Sharon.Webb@delaware.gov (Subject: Community Water Quality Improvement Grant). Proposals submitted by email must be less than 10 MB. Project guidelines and the application can be found on DNREC’s website on the Environmental Finance page. For more information, contact Sharon Webb at 302-739-9922.

Media Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 318

DOVER – DNREC Secretary David Small and Kitts Hummock residents gathered Thursday at the small community on central Delaware’s Bayshore to encourage volunteer signups for the 2016 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, to be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 17 at more than 50 sites statewide.

Sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the cleanup spans the First State’s 97-mile eastern coastline and includes Delaware River and Bay and Atlantic Ocean shorelines as well as wetland and watershed areas.

“With Delaware’s annual Coastal Cleanup, we know we are making a difference. Not only are we cleaning up trash from our beaches, waterways and watershed areas, we are raising public awareness about trash disposal and recycling,” Secretary Small said. “In addition, the data our volunteers gather helps identify the source of debris and focus efforts on reducing or eliminating it, both locally and internationally.”

Preregistration is open on the Delaware Coastal Cleanup page on the DNREC website, and is strongly encouraged to ensure enough supplies are packed for each site. Preregistration will close Monday, Sept. 5.

“Many of our sites need more volunteers, especially some of our smaller sites along the Delaware Bayshore and in our wildlife areas,” said Delaware Coastal Cleanup Coordinator Joanna Wilson. “The success of the Coastal Cleanup depends on a diverse group of volunteers, from civic organizations, youth groups and businesses to individuals and families, and we want to encourage both new and veteran volunteers to come out and join this important effort Sept. 17. And, it’s a great day outdoors in some of Delaware’s most beautiful and unique places!”

Some of this year’s sites that need additional volunteers are:

New Castle County

• Augustine Beach Wildlife Area – impoundment and boat ramp sites south of Delaware City*
• Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area – Collins Beach Boat Ramp and Thoroughfare Neck Road sites, northeast of Smyrna*

Kent County

• Little Creek Wildlife Area/Port Mahon Road, east of Dover*
• Big Stone Beach and Bennetts Pier, on the Delaware Bayshore near Bowers Beach/Frederica*

Sussex County

• Nanticoke Wildlife Area – Phillips Landing, on the Nanticoke River near Laurel*
• Slaughter Beach near Milford
• Boat Hole/Love Creek, near Lewes*
• Lewes Public Boat Ramp*
• Lewes Beach
• Dewey/Indian Beach
• Bethany Beach
• South Bethany Beach
• Delaware Seashore State Park – 3Rs Road, Keybox Road, North and South Indian River Inlet sites
• Fenwick Island

*Unique smaller sites that especially need volunteers

Popular sites that do not need additional volunteers include Cape Henlopen State Park sites and Rehoboth Beach.

Delaware’s Cleanup is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest annual clearing of trash from coastlines and lakes by volunteers. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world help each year to rid the environment of marine debris and collect detailed information on the types and quantities of refuse they find. This information is recorded on data cards and forwarded to the Center for Marine Conservation, which compiles data for all of the cleanups held in the country and around the world. This information helps identify the source of the debris and focus efforts on eliminating or reducing it.

The Delaware Coastal Cleanup is sponsored by DNREC, which organizes the event, recruits volunteers, distributes supplies, ensures trash removal and tabulates all data collected. Co-sponsors are Edgewell Personal Care/Playtex Manufacturing, which provides gloves, and Waste Management, which hauls trash and recyclables. The Ocean Conservancy supplies trash bags, data cards and brochures on marine debris.

For more information about the Ocean Conservancy and the International Coastal Cleanup, visit www.oceanconservancy.org.

For more information about the Delaware Coastal Cleanup, please call Joanna Wilson, Delaware Coastal Cleanup coordinator, at 302-739-9902.

At the 2015 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, 1,492 dedicated volunteers collected 7.8 tons of trash from 50 sites along Delaware’s shorelines and tributaries. About one-quarter of that trash – mostly aluminum cans and plastic bottles – was recycled. Volunteers’ more unusual finds included a raincoat, a hair dryer, a wig, a perfume bottle, a can of Sterno, a tent, two propane tanks, a bow and arrows, a bike pedal, a dog leash and more than 20 bags of dog waste, a smoke detector, a recliner, a metal bed frame, light bulbs, a paint roller and paintbrush, ceiling tiles, a mop head, trash cans, a sink, a toilet seat, carpet pieces, batteries, a rusty fire pit, a microwave, plastic and wood fencing, a teacup, chopsticks, tiki torch holders and four shot glasses, one of which was still full.

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

Vol. 46, No. 316

NOTE: Application deadline for grants and loans has been moved up to Friday, Sept. 30

DOVER – To help Delaware’s schools, businesses and institutions start recycling programs or expand programs that are already in place, DNREC is offering the second round of 2016 Universal Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program funding. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 – please note that the deadline for applications has been moved forward by DNREC’s Recycling Team from the original due date of Nov. 2.

DNREC, in collaboration with the Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC), is again placing emphasis on:

• Distribution of preapproved recycling instructional information to influence positive recycling behaviors at the point where recyclable material is generated and disposed of (e.g. kitchen, office, workplace, recycling bin, cart, dumpster);
• Recycling outreach – which covers recycling advertising, education, and related initiatives;
• School or university recycling programs;
• Source-separated food waste recycling infrastructure development, and
• Business, non-profit, community organization, or local government recycling programs

Other proposed activities that fall outside of priorities listed above are also considered. Creativity is encouraged and all eligible applications will be given consideration to the extent that program resources allow. RPAC and DNREC’s Recycling Program emphasize that applicants for grants and low-interest loans do not need to be a recycling expert to put forward a recycling grant proposal.

“DNREC’s grant and loan program is again geared toward helping schools and businesses save money and reduce their environmental footprint by recycling in Delaware,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “We want the grants to help businesses and organizations double the recycling rate across the commercial sector and achieve statewide goals for Universal Recycling championed by Governor Markell. We’re now closer to another goal – of every Delawarean having access to recycling at home, at work, at school and at play – making recycling a way of life in the First State.”

Although this is the second application offering this year, it is the eighth grant cycle since the grant and loan program began in 2011. DNREC is anticipating a strong interest in Cycle 8 and has slated the acceptance of applications for this round through Sept. 30.  Again, please note that the deadline for applicants to submit proposals has changed to Sept. 30 after originally having been announced as Nov. 2.

Application forms and the guidance document for the grants and low interest loans are available at: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/dwhs/Pages/RecyclingGrants.aspx, or via Delaware’s recycling website at www.recycling.delaware.gov. Applicants are advised to read the guidance document prior to submitting their proposals. Though most applicants request grant funding, low-interest loans are also available. Grant applicants who may be partially awarded are also eligible for loans to supplement their project costs.

The Universal Recycling Grant and Low Interest Loan Program was created by the state’s Universal Recycling Law. The law provides a framework to ensure recycling services in Delaware are effective and easily accessible. Commercial sector entities are expected to be actively participating in recycling programs. The commercial sector includes any for-profit or not-for profit retail or wholesale stores, offices, food service establishments, warehouses, and other manufacturing, industrial or processing activities, and institutions such as social, charitable, educational, health care, professional and government services.

Schools, business owners, and institution managers are encouraged to learn about the growing recycling opportunities in Delaware. Recycling can be economically beneficial when organizations reduce their disposal costs. To learn more about requirements, grant funding, commercial recycling toolkits, recycling grant opportunities and more, please visit www.recycling.delaware.gov or call 302-739-9403, ext. 8. Also: If you or your business would like assistance with waste reduction and recycling, please call the number above to set up a no-cost, onsite waste assessment by DNREC’s Recycling team, who can offer suggestions on how to implement or expand your recycling program.

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

Vol. 46, No. 304

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BLADES, Del. – The Third Annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta – presented by the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program (ROR), the Town of Blades, the Nanticoke River Sail & Power Squadron, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and the Nanticoke Yacht Club – cast off with great ceremony Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park in Blades and finished as the most entertaining race yet in the increasingly popular event’s brief history.

A crowd of some 250 people gathered at the marina to see who built the fastest boat and more importantly, who among the boat builders were competing for the prestigious “Titanic Award.” The mood was light and festive on the hot sunny Saturday as the crowd waited for judging results and also to hear the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” Spectators spent the morning visiting the ROR partners’ exhibits and enjoying food provided by the Blades United Methodist Church. The goal of the event was to provide a fun recreational activity that connects Sussex County residents with their waterways, while providing important information on how to protect Delaware’s aquatic resources.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta was open to anyone who could build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it approximately 200 yards from the race start to the regatta finish line. First-place awards were given for winners of races in four different categories: individual, family, clubs and businesses, and non-profits and government organizations.

Awards winners were:

• Best Decorated Boat – 82 Marine 1 – sponsored by the Lewes Fire Company and captained by Sara Esposito
• Best Team Effort – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Most Whimsical – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Pride of the Fleet – 82 Marine 1 – sponsored by the Lewes Fire Company and captained by Sara Esposito
• People’s Choice – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Titanic Award – Ravenger – sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 182 and captained by James & Avery Stroup
• Individual Race Winner – Hibiki – Captained by Troy Julian
• Family Race Winner – 82 Marine 1 – sponsored by the Lewes Fire Company and Captained by Sara Esposito
• Non Profits/Government – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Businesses/Clubs – The Johnny – Sponsored by Johnny Janosik Furniture and captained by Ken Everline

Judging was by Gallery 107, the Nanticoke River Arts Council. Sponsors of the event include Mow-N-Trim, Peninsula Oil and the Nanticoke River Yacht Club. A special thanks was given to the rescue boat volunteers.

Photos of the event can be found on flickr. More information on the Cardboard Boat Regatta is available at www.delawarewatersheds.org, or by contacting Phil Miller or 302-290-3578.

The 2016 Promo Video of past Recycled Cardboard Boat Regattas can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDqFDY7eQWU

The Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

CONTACT: Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, 302-672-1149

Vol. 46, No. 298

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BLADES, Del. – The third annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta – presented by the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program, the Town of Blades and the Nanticoke River Sail & Power Squadron – will cast off Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park, 26 N. Market Street, Blades, DE 19973. Sign-in and registration begin at noon, with judging of boats’ appearances at 1 p.m. and races starting at 2 p.m.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is open to anyone who can build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it approximately 200 yards to the regatta finish line. First-place awards will be given for winners of races in four different categories: individual, family, clubs and businesses, and non-profits and government organizations.

Boats may be any size, shape or design, but must be made of recycled cardboard. They may (and should) be painted with multiple coats of any one-part polyurethane or enamel paint. Special awards will be given for “Best Constructed Boat,” “Best Decorated Boat,” “Best Team Effort,” and “Most Whimsical Boat.” Decorations may be removed after aesthetic judging by Gallery 107 of Seaford, prior to the race start. Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner, while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the best and “Most Dramatic Sinking!”

Participants can register the day of the event, but are encouraged to start building their boats as well as registering early for a discounted fee of $20. Registration fee is $30 the week of the event, July 31-Aug. 6. Participants are encouraged to challenge others to race in the cardboard regatta and can do so by choosing the challenge option during registration to ensure both parties will be in the same race.

During the event, attendees can enjoy music, grilled and baked foods as well as snacks and beverages from the Blades United Methodist Church, and find information from the Reclaim Our River (ROR) partnership on how to protect Delaware’s waterways.

The ROR partnership also welcomes event sponsors with proceeds going toward event costs, river restoration and water quality education. Sponsorships begin at $50.

More information, rules, flyer and an event entry form are available at www.delawarewatersheds.org, or by emailing Phil Miller or calling 302-290-3578.

A video from the past two years of the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDqFDY7eQWU.

The Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

Contact: Contact: Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, 302-672-1149, or philip.miller@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 264

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