The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) will conduct a public hearing (Docket # 2021-R-A-0019) on Delaware’s Proposed Visibility State Implementation Plan.

The federal Clean Air Act mandates protection of visibility in Class I federal areas, such as national parks, forests and wilderness areas. Under the 1999 Regional Haze Rule, states are required to develop a series of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to reduce visibility impairment; with the express intent that, by 2064 the visibility in the Class I areas will be returned to natural conditions. States are required to develop a series of SIPs to address visibility impairment in Class I areas and make reasonable progress toward achieving natural visibility conditions. This proposed SIP covers the 2nd implementation period of 2018 – 2028.

A virtual public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 beginning at 6 p.m. The web link to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a password, please use: RegHazeSIP. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-408-418-9388 and enter the event code 2349 508 0655. Closed-captioning is available by request if made at least 7 days before the event.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC public hearings must pre-register no later than noon of the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9295.

The proposed SIP may be inspected online starting December 1, 2021 at regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml, or in-person, by appointment only, by contacting Renae Held by phone at 302-739-9402 or by email at Renae.Held@delaware.gov.

The Department will accept public comment through the close of business on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following address:

Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer
Office of the Secretary
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901

Related Topics:  air, air quality, public comment, public hearing, regional haze, sip, visibility