Preparation and planning key to navigating product recalls

DOVER, Del. — About 1 in 6 Americans gets sick every year from foodborne illnesses. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), FDA and the USDA work closely to trace the cause and origin of these illnesses. Traceability is key so the origin is quickly detected, and a recall enacted, preventing others from becoming ill. Preparation and planning are necessary for produce growers and businesses in the supply chain to successfully navigate a product recall.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program will present the United Fresh Recall Ready Workshop on January 22, 2020 at Dover Downs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. Registration is required, but the event is free for registered attendees.

The Recall Ready Workshop is a one-day, hands-on training that will help producers and companies understand the fundamentals of a product recall. Attendees will gain an understanding of their rights and responsibilities, the role of FDA and/or state regulatory agencies, how to limit their liability, and how to manage customer expectations. During a crisis, effectively communicating to the industry, customers, consumers, and the media is vital. Developing a communications plan that incorporates key points and answers media questions, can make all the difference in minimizing the impact on the local business and economy.

Registration is available online at https://de.gov/producesafety or by emailing Anna Wicks at anna.wicks@delaware.gov. The workshop is limited to the first 56 registrants. Registration closes on January 10.

Funding for this workshop was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

 


FY2020 Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund public workshop Jan. 6 by DNREC Environmental Finance

DOVER – Environmental Finance within DNREC’s Office of the Secretary and the Delaware Division of Public Health will host a State Revolving Loan Fund public workshop Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, in preparation for the development of the 2020 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) Project Priority Lists. The workshop begins at 10 a.m. in the Kent County Administrative Complex, Conference Room 220, 555 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.

The workshop will inform and provide municipal government representatives, privately-owned businesses, wastewater and drinking water utilities, consultant engineers, and other interested parties with detailed overviews of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. The combined-program workshop will provide attendees with an accurate and efficient source of information for requesting financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project needs.

Notices-of-Intent (NOI) for wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects will be solicited starting Monday, January 6, 2020, and are due by Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, to prepare the 2020 CWSRF and DWSRF Project Priority Lists (PPLs). Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF PPLs, respectively, to be considered for funding. Workshop attendance is required by applicants and/or their consulting engineering firms who plan to apply for CWSRF and DWSRF assistance.

Workshop participants will learn about the following CWSRF and DWSRF program changes and infrastructure financing tools:

  • One-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance
  • Land conservation and water quality improvement loan sponsorship programs
  • Source water protection loans for drinking water supplies
  • Wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater facilities matching planning grants
  • Community water quality improvement grants
  • Asset management plan development incentives
  • Project planning advances
  • Expanded eligibilities for privately-owned businesses

In addition, detailed information will be presented at the workshop about how and when to submit projects for funding consideration, project ranking criteria, project construction requirements, and how to apply for infrastructure planning grants.

To reserve a place at the workshop, please contact Laura Rafferty, DNREC Environmental Finance, by emailing Laura.Rafferty@delaware.gov or phone: 302-739-9941.

Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902


Sussex Conservation District offers free workshop on stormwater pond maintenance Dec. 5 in Lewes

GEORGETOWN – Sussex County property owners who want to learn more about stormwater pond maintenance are invited to attend free workshops being offered Thursday, Dec. 5, by the Sussex Conservation District at the DNREC Lewes Conference Room located at 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958. The morning workshop will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and run until noon. An afternoon workshop will begin with registration at 1:30 p.m. and run until 5 p.m.

Stormwater ponds collect surface runoff to manage and help prevent downstream flooding, remove pollutants, and settle suspended sediments transported by stormwater. These ponds can add to the aesthetics of a community, and homeowners often pay a premium to be close to these waterfront sites.

The task of maintaining stormwater ponds falls on the property owner. In many cases, the owner is a homeowners’ association or maintenance corporation, whose responsibilities also include open space management. Some associations seek professional support, while others choose to manage them on their own. Other property owners may not even be aware that the ponds require ongoing and sometimes extensive maintenance.

The workshop will provide general information on why stormwater pond management is needed and how to ensure a pond’s proper function for years to come. Many homeowners do not reach out for technical assistance until there is a problem.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is encouraged. To register for a workshop or for more information, please contact the Sussex Conservation District at 302-856-2105, or register online at www.sussexconservation.org.

For more information about Delaware’s Sediment and Stormwater Program, which operates within DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Conservation Program Section, visit DNREC Sediment and Stormwater.

Contact: Jessica Watson, Sussex Conservation District, 302-856-2105, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.


Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund public workshop set for July 25 in Dover

DOVER – Environmental Finance within DNREC’s Office of the Secretary and the Delaware Division of Public Health will host a State Revolving Loan Fund public workshop Thursday, July 25 in preparation for the development of the 2019 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) Revised Project Priority Lists. The workshop begins at 2 p.m. in the Kent County Administrative Complex, Conference Room 220, 555 South Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.

The workshop will inform and provide municipal government representatives, privately-owned businesses, wastewater and drinking water utilities, consultant engineers, and other interested parties with detailed overviews of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. The combined program workshop will provide attendees with an accurate and efficient source of information for requesting financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project needs.

Notices-of-Intent (NOI) for wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects will be solicited starting Wednesday, July 25 and are due by Friday, Aug. 30 to prepare the 2019 CWSRF and DWSRF Revised Project Priority Lists (PPLs). Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF Revised PPL, respectively, to be considered for funding. Workshop attendance is required by applicants and/or their consulting engineering firms who plan to apply for CWSRF and DWSRF assistance.

Workshop participants will learn about the following CWSRF and DWSRF program changes and infrastructure financing tools:

  • One-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance
  • Land conservation and water quality improvement loan sponsorship programs
  • Source water protection loans for drinking water supplies
  • Wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater facilities matching planning grants
  • Community water quality improvement grants
  • Asset management plan development incentives
  • Project planning advances
  • Expanded eligibilities for privately-owned businesses

In addition, detailed information will be presented at the workshop about how and when to submit projects for funding consideration, project ranking criteria, project construction requirements, and how to apply for infrastructure planning grants.

To reserve a place at the workshop, please contact Laura Rafferty, DNREC Environmental Finance, by emailing Laura.Rafferty@delaware.gov or phone: 302-739-9941.

Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 2


DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship to host rain barrel-building workshop May 25 in Blades

Event being held as part of Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series

BLADES – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Watershed Stewardship staff will host a rain barrel-building workshop in conjunction with the Reclaim Our River (ROR)-Nanticoke Series Program from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 25 at Hardin Hall, 20 West 4th Street, Blades, DE 19973. Participation is limited and attendees are asked to preregister at eventbrite.com.

Workshop participants will receive free rain barrel conversion kits on a first-come, first-served basis, including a 55-gallon plastic drum or curbside trash can to take home as a ready-made rain barrel. The workshop will open with a brief overview about the benefits of rain barrels, the do’s and don’ts in using them, and barrel assembly and maintenance. Workshop participants can construct their own rain barrel with guidance, or request that DNREC staff or a ROR member help them with assembly. While the rain barrels are being put together, participants will also learn about watering native plants with them and about techniques to improve Delaware’s water quality.

This workshop is offered as part of the ROR-Nanticoke Series, a program designed to bring more water quality-oriented events, workshops, and recreational opportunities to the Nanticoke River watershed. The ROR program offers information on reducing nutrient and sediment pollution and improving water quality, promotes public access to waterways and provides recreational opportunities as a way to connect residents to their waterways and inspire them to make improvements. For more information on the ROR program, please visit de.gov/nps.

Rain barrels collect and store water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and washing your car. Using a rain barrel can help lower water bills, particularly during the summer, by collecting thousands of gallons of usable water a year. Rain barrels also play an important role in reducing water pollution and protecting water resources by collecting the residential stormwater runoff before it reaches local streams and rivers.

For more information on the workshop, please contact Philip Miller at 302-739-9922 or email Philip.miller@delaware.gov.

Contact: Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship Conservation Programs Section, 302-739-9922; email: Philip.miller@delaware.gov

Vol. 49, No. 129