New website provides Seaford-area residents information on proposed flood risk mapping revisions

Seaford-area residents are asked to review and comment on proposed floodplain mapping changes in the Clear Brook watershed by visiting a new website managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The proposed floodplain map changes for Clear Brook are being made because a recent evaluation found the Hearns Pond area floodplain is receding and areas downstream are slightly expanding.

The new wesbsite includes a helpful video that provides important information for residents about how the proposed changes may affect their properties and flood insurance rates. Visitors to the website can also record their comments on the proposed revisions. Any comments must be received by May 31.

“DNREC and its consultant performed updated watershed modeling, which included recent improvements to the Hearns Pond Dam to produce more detailed and accurate flood risk assessments and maps for the Clear Brook watershed,” said Michael Powell, administrator for the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship. “This improved study and map will ultimately be adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to produce updated federal floodplain maps for the watershed.”

DNREC partners with FEMA to improve the accuracy of flood risk maps statewide. Delaware’s current flood risk maps are used by FEMA to set flood insurance rates and enforce local floodplain codes. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available to property owners. Mortgage lenders require borrowers whose properties are located in a designated flood hazard area to buy flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally-backed mortgage loan.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding, but all property owners and renters can buy flood insurance. Homeowners interested in how the proposed changes could impact the cost of their flood insurance premium should contact their insurance agent.

For information on flood risk maps, contact Gina Tonn or Michael Powell, with the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, at 302-739-9921. The Division has also posted more information about the flood mitigation program on the Department’s website.

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 DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation Website Wins National Award

DOVER – The National Association of Government Web Professionals (NAGW) recently presented a Members’ Choice Pinnacle Award to DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation for the Delaware State Parks website at destateparks.com. NAGW Secretary and East Region Director, Barbara Belli, made the announcement during the organization’s 2019 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Government websites have progressed dramatically since the first Pinnacle Awards were presented in 2006. Thanks to the talented teams in the government web profession, including the teams represented by this year’s entries, our websites have grown from information portals to become the first point of service for our constituents and the windows to our organizations,” said Ms. Belli, who also serves NAGW as Pinnacle Awards Chair.

The NAGW membership, which comprises government web professionals from local, county, state, and federal government throughout the United States, voted on the Members’ Choice Awards from among entries for cities, counties, state and federal agencies, microsites, and sites demonstrating special features. The Delaware State Parks website won in the State/Federal category.

The website was recognized for its organization, informative content, and the wide variety of information it presents, as well as for the small size of its web team. Peer review judges noted the site was “easy to navigate and informative, as well as visually appealing”. The NAGW award committee commended Delaware State Parks staff Chris Polo, Chief of Creative Services, and Jennifer Bradford, web developer, for the “immense amount of time, resources, and attention” they had put into creating an expansive and highly functional site.


New website launched to help Delawareans locate parks

Dover –In an effort to encourage more children and their families to enjoy the outdoors and outdoor-related activity year-round, Delaware State Parks has launched “Play Outside,” a new website for Delaware residents and visitors that provides convenient and detailed information about public parks and facilities in Delaware.

Residents and visitors can now find nearby public outdoor recreation areas including municipal, county and state park lands or recreational facilities such as playgrounds, ball fields, fishing piers, trails, parking and even restrooms, using an interactive online web map. The site is mobile device- friendly and can also track users’ current locations to help them navigate along the many miles of trails that Delaware has to offer.

“We are very excited about ‘Play Outside,’” said Ray Bivens, director of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation. “It fits perfectly with the mission of the Delaware Children in Nature Initiative by promoting healthy lifestyles, providing better access to green space and creating opportunities for families to get outdoors. This is an amazing resource for all Delawareans.”

Play Outside is a single online information source that allows users to find public parks as well as exact locations of outdoor recreation facilities within parks and wildlife areas throughout the state. It includes all areas in the public trust managed by towns, cities, counties and state agencies in Delaware. The website is designed to serve those looking for outdoor recreation opportunities, places to be immersed in nature or to conduct active lifestyles. Users can locate parks close to home or in less-developed places such as wildlife areas.

“The public can find a softball field or playground near home, 10 miles away, or in a nearby town or county,” Bivens said. “Children and their families can find the location of all trails in Delaware, or navigate to fishing spots statewide.  These are just a few of the powerful functions this web tool offers its users.”

During a ceremony today to launch the new website, Nemours Children’s Health System, a key partner in the fight against childhood obesity, praised the effort. “Nemours and Delaware State Parks have enjoyed a long-standing partnership focused on getting kids active in the outdoors,” said Dr. George Datto, the division chief of Weight Management at  Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. “Encouraging kids to be active and instilling this healthy habit early is so important because of all of the health benefits physical activity offers: maintenance of a healthy weight, avoidance of chronic diseases and better mental health to name a few,” Datto added. “Delaware State Parks’ Play Outside website is a wonderful resource for Delaware families that is going to make it a lot easier for parents and caregivers to identify nearby parks and trails where they can go with their kids to enjoy quality time and be active together.”

Play Outside was developed in partnership with DNREC, the Division of Parks & Recreation and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information. Geographic Information System (GIS) software, aerial photography and an Outdoor Recreation Inventory are combined to deliver park and outdoor activity information on the new website, which includes a variety of search functions.

Information on new facilities is regularly added to a database – the Outdoor Recreation Inventory (ORI). The ORI and Play Outside websites are maintained by these state agencies.

Find the Play Outside website at de.gov/playoutside.

Vol. 47, No. 41


Enhanced Public Education Website Launched During Radiation Protection Week in Delaware

DOVER – It’s no surprise that radiation is emitted through many medical devices such as X-ray machines, but fewer people know that it can be produced by, or found in, smoke detectors, granite, and fluorescent lightbulbs. To encourage Delawareans to learn more about radiation, its sources and its benefits, the Authority on Radiation Protection launched its upgraded website www.deradiationprotection.org on Monday Nov. 9, 2015.

The launch of the enhanced site coincides with Governor Jack Markell’s proclamation of November 8-14, 2015, as Radiation Protection Week in Delaware, which commemorates the discovery of X-rays on November 8, 1895, by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen.

“We’re extremely excited to unveil our new website and mark this important week,” said Dr. Frances S. Esposito, Authority Chairperson and representative from the Delaware Medical Society. “We hope that people, especially teachers, students and professionals will find it to be a more user-friendly source of information about the science of radiation.”

The updated website features a new layout and updated content featuring resources for teachers, students, patients and their parents, the media and professionals engaged in dental, medical, industrial and veterinary fields on radiation and radiation protection principles and practices.

“Radiation protection professionals ensure that the beneficial uses of radiation are safe and available throughout the healing arts, industry, education, research and government, while minimizing the hazards of radiation exposure,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the state Division of Public Health (DPH). “They play a vitally important role in protecting the health of all Delawareans.”

DPH’s Office of Radiation Control provides administrative support for the Authority on Radiation Protection, a public board of volunteers appointed by the Governor, which was established in 1976. The Authority is responsible for instituting and maintaining a regulatory program for sources of ionizing radiation in compliance with state and federal standards, instituting and maintaining a program to permit development and utilization of sources of ionizing radiation, and encourage the constructive uses of radiation, and prohibiting and preventing exposure to ionizing radiation in amounts that are or may be detrimental to the public’s health.

The Authority on Radiation Protection’s website is housed at Delaware State University. For more information on the Authority, visit www.deradiationprotection.org.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


Business opportunities in Delaware now a click away

New DEDO website, search tool offer instant access to available commercial and industrial properties

Dover, DE – Gov. Jack Markell announced the launch of the Delaware Economic Development Office’s new website on Friday, a site that boasts an interactive search tool that will make it easier for site selectors to browse high-quality commercial and industrial real estate properties available around the state.

Made possible through a partnership with San Francisco-based GIS Planning, this initiative includes the installation of the ZoomProspector site selection tool onto the Delaware Economic Development Office’s website.

ZoomProspector provides real estate, demographic and industry data to help businesses and site selection professionals select locations in Delaware. In addition to having access to an interactive map that provides easy access to a comprehensive database of available properties around Delaware, selectors and potential investors will also have the ability to view information on Delaware’s labor market, infrastructure and more.

“Delaware’s economy is on solid ground, and we continue to see the arrival of new companies and the expansion of existing businesses. We continue to work to build on this progress, and DEDO’s new website and this interactive tool represent an exciting step forward,” Gov. Markell said. “DEDO’s new website makes it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. We believe we have created a virtual welcoming mat for businesses on the move, those seeking job training or small businesses in search of financial assistance.”

ZoomProspector also has incredible potential to benefit Delaware’s commercial and industrial real estate industries. Those who own a property in Delaware will be able to list it in ZoomProspector and take advantage of free marketing, increased traffic and an expanded number of leads that are both direct and well-informed.

“This ground-breaking tool will allow companies on the move to connect with Delaware real estate firms so that they can capitalize on golden opportunities to do business together,” said Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “The ability to showcase these properties with an easy-to-navigate map and database will bolster our economic development efforts significantly.”

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