DOVER, Del. (March 28, 2023) — The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is accepting applications through May 1, 2023, for a new Poultry House Demolition Assistance Program announced today. The program provides cost-share assistance to remove old poultry houses past their useful life.

DDA will reimburse the poultry house owner 50% of the actual costs for remediation, up to a maximum of $10,000 per house. Prior to approval, DDA Nutrient Management staff will perform a site visit to verify houses to be removed and discuss the need to manage residual litter or nutrients. Funding will be reserved for approved applications to give applicants time to complete the removals.

“Many poultry houses across Delaware have reached the end of their productive life-span and have been abandoned as producers have upgraded to more environmentally friendly poultry houses,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “Our goal by offsetting the costs to remove these houses is to assist producers in lessening their environmental impact and enhance our rural landscape.”

According to research by the University of Delaware’s Cooperative Extension, the soil under a poultry house can accumulate mineral nutrients through the diffusion of the ammonia component of manure over 30 to 50 years. Once the roof deteriorates, rainwater can enter the house, which can cause the excess nutrients to leach into the groundwater.

Landowners who wish to apply for the Poultry House Demolition Assistance Program can download an application at https://agriculture.delaware.gov/grants-loans. Applications can be emailed to nutrient.management@delaware.gov, mailed to DDA, or faxed to (302) 697-6287. Anyone receiving funding from the Delaware Department of Agriculture must complete a W-9 form online before approval.

Poultry house remediation cost-share is also available through programs such as NRCS-EQIP. Cost-share through the DDA program may be combined with other programs to help the landowner to reduce costs further, but DDA will not reimburse expenses that have or will be covered by another source. The applicant is responsible for meeting the requirements of any other cost-share program used.

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Samples Show Ion Exchange Treatment Reduces PFAS Concentrations

Results from samples taken from the water system serving residents of the Bethany Crest community near Millville returned test results that were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Advisory Level (HAL) of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFAS in drinking water. Residents may resume normal use of the water, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today.

Following a sampling that found the source water from Bethany Crest water system (before treatment) was near or at the HAL, DNREC and DPH acted quickly to sample the finished drinking water (after treatment) going to residents.

Samples taken by DNREC showed that an ion exchange treatment that had already been in place for the Bethany Crest water system had been successful in removing PFAS from the community’s drinking water. Out of an abundance of caution, DPH had advised Bethany Crest residents to use bottled water provided by the water system owner for drinking and cooking while the finished water samples were being tested.

Testing results from an Oct. 23 sampling for PFAS in the Bethany Crest water system showed that the ion exchange treatment had removed PFAS to significantly below the health advisory level of 70 ppt. The results also indicated that while other wells and public water in the area sampled within a one-mile radius of Bethany Crest showed PFAS detections, all were below the EPA health advisory level.

Bethany Crest is a manufactured housing community with a small water system serving approximately 50 homes. The sampling of source water was collected as part of a proactive screening of public water sources throughout the state being conducted by DNREC.

DPH is continuing to work with the system owner to identify long-term strategies that can be implemented to ensure the risk to residents does not increase in the future.

Meanwhile, DNREC’s Remediation section conducted an assessment to identify potential sources of the contamination, and DNREC will open an investigation immediately into locating the source or sources of the PFAS detected in the Bethany Crest water system.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used in industry and consumer products. Due to their extensive use in these products over time, PFAS are found in people, wildlife, and fish and are known as “forever chemicals” because some PFAS can stay in people’s bodies a long time and cause health problems with long-term exposure.

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 @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

DNREC: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov, DPH: Andrea Wojcik, andrea.wojcik@delaware.gov

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Students who fare well in a new high school English course are guaranteed to enter credit-bearing English classes at Delaware colleges and universities.

The Foundations of College English course was developed through funding from Strada Education Network in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education and Delaware institutions of higher education (see below) to reduce college remediation rates. This course was designed to complement the Foundations of College Math course which was developed and launched in 2014.

Of all Delaware public high school graduates who enter an in-state college or university, 41 percent require remedial education courses in mathematics or English, according to the state’s 2017 College Success Report. About 24 percent require remedial coursework in English. Students who do not score well on college placement tests may be forced to take remedial English courses prior to enrolling in credit bearing coursework. These non-credit, remedial courses often cost the same as credit-bearing classes but don’t count toward a student’s degree.

The Foundations of College English was piloted in fall 2016 across six high schools as part of the state-model Allied Health career & technical education program of study. Schools identify students for the foundations course based on their PSAT and SAT scores. And the Foundations of College English course was then offered to students as an elective course to ensure all students are able to pursue continuing education without the need for remediation.

Participating pilot schools include: Appoquinimink School District’s Appoquinimink and Middletown High Schools; Indian River School District’s Indian River and Sussex Central High Schools; Milford School District’s Milford High School; and Smyrna School District’s Smyrna High School. Any public high school can offer the class next year.

“Students graduate high school ready to start their college careers. Being forced to take non-credit courses delays their start to earn a degree while adding to their college debts,” Governor John Carney said. “This collaboration between our public schools and Delaware’s colleges and universities aims to help our youth complete postsecondary education on time and with less debt so they can begin their careers in Delaware’s workforce.”

Carney joined Secretary of Education Susan Bunting today at Milford High School, one of the pilot sites. They talked to educators and students about their experiences in the course.

“Earning a college degree is challenging enough without the extra barriers created by remedial coursework. We must prepare our graduates for the rigor of college coursework,” Bunting said. “Offering the Foundations of College English is another way to support our students to ensure they not only enter college but also leave with valuable degrees.”

A U.S. Department of Education study found that less than half of students in remedial courses actually complete them, and only 17 percent of remedial reading students and 27 percent of remedial math students completing their bachelor’s degrees.

“Too many students today begin postsecondary education and never finish. We must find new ways to help students overcome obstacles, such as time spent in remedial courses, so they gain the necessary credentials to compete and succeed in a modern, global workforce,” said Bill Hansen, president and CEO of Strada and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education. “I’m encouraged to see the State of Delaware scale this innovative approach to ensure students have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in work and in life.”

The Foundations of College English course was designed by Delaware Technical Community College. A series of online modules also were created to supplement the course and/or to be embedded in other English language arts coursework for junior or senior high school students.

Students who earn a 75 percent or better in the Foundations of College English course are guaranteed entry into credit-bearing English language arts coursework at Goldey Beacom College, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College, University of Delaware, Wesley College and Wilmington University.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Public workshops set for Sept. 7 and 13 on CEPF grant process

DOVER – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today announced the availability of $133,528 for Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) grants administered by the Department. The CEPF grant program was created in 2004 by House Bill 192, legislation that enables DNREC to withhold 25 percent of all civil or administrative penalties collected by the Department as CEPF funds.

HB 192 requires that CEPF funds benefit communities where civil or administrative violations occurred. The CEPF provides for community restoration by funding environmental projects that reduce pollution, enhance natural resources, and enhance them for purposes of creating recreational opportunities for the citizens of Delaware.

IRS tax-exempt organizations are eligible for grants up to $20,000. Non-profit organizations which do not have tax-exempt status, but have established a Fiscal Sponsor Agreement with an IRS tax-exempt organization, are eligible to apply for a maximum grant amount of $10,000. Applications for CEPF grants can be found on the DNREC website or can be obtained by calling James Brunswick, DNREC community ombudsman, at 302-739-9140. The CEPF grant application deadline is Monday Oct. 2, by DNREC’s close of business (4:30 p.m.)

DNREC also will hold two public workshops about the CEPF grant program on Sept. 6 and 13. Date, time and location for the workshops are:

• New Castle County: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 6-7:30 p.m., DNREC Offices, Conference Room A, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720
• Kent and Sussex Counties: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6-7:30 p.m., DNREC Auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover DE 19901

Pre-registration is requested, but not required. Please email James Brunswick, Community Ombudsman, or call 302-739-9040 to pre-register. For an application form and more information visit: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/community-services/environmental-project-fund/

Vol. 47, No. 194

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DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will host a public open house to enable the public to comment on the latest update of the Auburn Valley Master Plan, which outlines proposed strategies for the former NVF site in Yorklyn and surrounding areas.

The open house will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 18, at the Center for Creative Arts, 410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn, DE 19736.

In 2011, DNREC worked with the community and several partners to create the Auburn Valley Master Plan, a unified vision for Yorklyn and its surrounding areas. That version of the master plan outlined several options for redevelopment of the former NVF site and showed conceptual trail connections to the surrounding community.

Since then, DNREC has continued to work with partners and neighboring properties on designs and refinements of key components of the plan, and is now ready to solicit comments from the public at the open house.

Visitors at the open house are invited to view the proposed plan and provide comments to DNREC program staff.
For more information on the open house, contact Matt Chesser, Division of Parks & Recreation, 302-739-9235 or matthew.chesser@delaware.gov.

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

Vol. 46, No.124