The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2019-R-F-0031) on the proposed revisions to the following regulations: 7 DE Admin. Code 3300 Non-Tidal Finfish – 3301 Definitions.

The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM in the DNREC Auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The proposed revision to 7 DE Admin. Code 3300 Non-Tidal Finfish – 3301 Definitions will extend the defined Designated Trout Waters on Pike Creek approximately 0.9 miles downstream to the bridge at Route 2 (Kirkwood Highway).

The proposed revision is intended to accommodate freshwater trout stocking and improve angler access to the put-and-take freshwater trout fishery on Pike Creek. Waters defined as a Designated Trout Stream are closed to all fishing 14 days before the opening day of trout season to provide for stocking, fish acclimation and dispersion and to provide fair access through an established starting time and date. Unless lawfully exempt, a trout stamp is required to fish a Designated Trout Stream from the first Saturday in April through June 30 and from the first Saturday in October through November 30 ($2.10 resident youth / $4.20 resident adult / $6.20 non-resident). Trout stamp revenues support the purchase of trout in subsequent years.

The proposed amendment may be inspected at DNREC’s office located at Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 and online as of January 1, 2020 at regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml

For additional information on this proposed regulatory promulgation, visit de.gov/dnrechearings or contact Stewart Michels, DNREC/DFW, 89 Kings Hwy., Dover, DE 19901; by phone at 302-739-9914; or by email at Stewart.Michels@delaware.gov.

Persons wishing to comment on the proposed amendments may do so either orally or in written form at the public hearing on January 29, 2020. In lieu of attending the public hearing, written comment may be submitted to the Hearing Officer via the online comment form at dnrec.delaware.gov/public-hearings/comment-form/, via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or via USPS to the below address. The Department will accept public comment through the close of business on Thursday, February 13, 2020.

Theresa Smith, Hearing Officer
DNREC — Office of the Secretary
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901