The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Watershed Stewardship will conduct a virtual public hearing (Docket #2021-R-WS-0003) on the proposed revisions to 7 DE Admin. Code 7402 “Shellfish Sanitation Regulations”.

The objectives of revising 7 DE Admin. Code 7402 are to adopt a bacteriological standard for the classification of shellfish growing areas approved by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program and US Food and Drug Administration for shellfish growing area classifications. This action will add the mTEC method as an approved method which can be used to classify shellfish growing areas, while maintaining the current approved methods.

The proposed amendments may be inspected online starting Sept. 1, 2021 at regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml or in-person, by appointment only, by contacting Michael Bott, by phone at 302-739-9939 or by email at Michael.bott@delaware.gov. 

A virtual public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m. The web link to the virtual meeting is found on the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a password, please use ShellfishSanRegs. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-408-418-9388 and enter event code 179 119 1725. Closed-captioning is available by request if made at least 7 days before the event.

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

The Department will accept public comment through the close of business on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Comments pertaining to the above matter will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, 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:  permitting and regulation, public comments, public hearing, public notice, Shellfish Sanitation Regulations, watershed, watershed stewardship