Friends of Holts Landing State Park Created
The official signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Parks Division, the Inland Bays Foundation and the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation creating the Friends of Holts Landing State Park took place Oct. 8 at the South Coastal Library.
Ray Bivens, state parks director, explained that improvements to Holts Landing State Park would start soon. Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, has secured $300,000 for dredging the boat ramp area and interim improvements to the boat ramp. Bivens said the Parks Division will get a professional planner to determine a list of improvements and pricing.
He also said civic organizations might help sponsor improvements such as a playground. Superintendent Doug Long of Delaware Seashore State Park gave an overview of what’s been accomplished and how the Friends of Holts Landing State Park has reached out to scouts with projects they can do to enhance the park as well as satisfy award requirements for the scouts. Friends of Holts Landing State Park plan to join with other nonprofit groups to raise the awareness and use of the park without degrading it or losing its special natural feeling.
Information on the Friends of Holts Landing State Park is available by contacting Chuck Schonder, project coordinator, atcschonder3@gmail.com.
The Inland Bays Estuary of Delaware, a Fragile Beauty
The Inland Bays of Delaware: Rehoboth, Indian River and Little Assawoman are shallow, slow draining bodies of water bounded on the east by beach areas with resultant fast growing urban development. They are bounded on the west by slow draining tributaries which are challenged by both development and agriculture. The ecology of the estuary is rapidly changing to one that is more urban.
The estuary is home to many residents and vacationers who enjoy the many opportunities for retirement, raising their families and enjoying the recreational opportunities. The University of Delaware estimates the Estuary contributes around $2B to Delaware’s economy annually according to the Center for the Inland Bays 2012 Annual Report.
Many enjoy the opportunities to fish, crab, water and Jet Ski, swim and other water based activities. Recent documentation indicates more fishing trips occur in the Inland Bays than do in the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Recent additions of new golf courses: Salt Ponds, Bay wood Greens, Plantation Lakes, Bear Trap, Rehoboth Country Club, and the Peninsula attract residents and vacationers alike. Many seek retirement and second homes here to take advantage of these opportunities.
The waters of our Bays attract birding enthusiasts for we are on the Atlantic flyway and experience a wide variety of bird life in marshes, wetlands and sanctuaries. Fishermen have formed rod and reel clubs, as well as fly fishing clubs to take advantage of these opportunities. Crabbing and clamming is a popular sport for many in the area.
Unfortunately our Estuary is being challenged by high levels of pollution which have destroyed the eel grass beds and oyster and scallop beds which were so prevalent here at one time. To tell you more about these challenges the Foundation Science Coordinator has prepared the following over view for your reading: Learn more…
Residents to appeal pickle plant cleanup
A plan to clean up a former pickle plant site near Millsboro has been approved by state officials, but opponents say they will appeal the decision.
In September, the county’s board of adjustment approved a special-use exception for the parcel, which could pave the way for the chicken-processing plant. The site is included in the state’s brownfields program, which provides for state-funded matching grants to clean up contaminated industrial parcels.
Opponents say the remediation plan does not go far enough. Read the rest of the Cape Gazette article…
Delaware Sea Level Rise Newsletter
Updates on sea level rise initiatives from DNREC Delaware Coastal Programs
Delaware’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan
Delaware’s sea level rise adaptation plan Preparing for Tomorrow’s High Tide: Recommendations for Adapting to Sea Level Rise in Delaware is now available. This document highlights 55 actions that should be taken to better prepare Delaware for the wide-ranging effects of sea level rise. It also describes sea level rise adaptation strategies, highlights several case studies of adaptation in Delaware and includes a list of resources and tools for those of you wishing to start adapting your homes, businesses or communities.
The adaptation plan is available for download online: http://de.gov/slradaptplan or by calling the Delaware Coastal Programs Office at (302) 739-9283.
Funding is now available to help your community adapt to sea level rise!
The Delaware Coastal Programs is offering competitive grant funding to municipalities and non-profit groups for sea level rise adaptation planning.
View Coastal Management Program Grant Website and Request for Proposals…
DNREC’s New Video: Wetlands 101: Wetlands & Sea Level Rise
The Foundation applauds the DNREC Wetlands Team’s efforts to restore our critical Wetlands. We only have 30% of the Wetlands that existed when first surveyed in the late 1700s. We strongly urge you to watch this video and ask your publicly elected officials to do the same. We must support the DRNEC Wetlands Team efforts to restore this critical resource. More information can be found on our web site www.inlandbaysfoundation.org. Thank you for caring.
View the video Wetlands 101: Wetlands & Sea Level Rise on YouTube…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLumSN4G5P4&feature=youtu.be
Estuaries and Coastal Watersheds
(from the EPA website)
Estuaries are places where freshwater from a river mixes with saltwater from the sea. Estuaries come in all shapes and sizes. They are often known as bays, sounds, lagoons, harbors, or inlets. Watch the video…