The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife proposes to replace a 23-acre portion of the Honig parcel in the Little Creek Wildlife Area with a 30-acre portion of the Vines parcel at Eagles Nest Wildlife Area to meet the purposes of a federal grant used to purchase the land. It is asking for public comment on an Environmental Assessment of the proposal.

The 23 acres were purchased by the division with federal grant funds from Jonah H. Honig in 1962. The “Honig parcel” was originally acquired as part of the Little Creek Wildlife Area to benefit waterfowl and upland game and to provide for public hunting.

When purchased, the land was occupied by farm buildings and a residential farmhouse. Over time, the existing buildings were replaced with contemporary structures, including offices, storage and maintenance buildings, and the Kent County Hunter Education Training Center. The primary impact of this development is that this area is not suitable as habitat for wildlife and there are no hunting opportunities for the public around the existing occupied structures, access roads and parking areas. Consequently, this portion of the Honig parcel no longer meets the purposes of the federal grant agreement under which the property was acquired.

Therefore, the division proposes to replace this 23-acre portion of the Honig parcel with a 30-acre portion of the Vines parcel at Eagles Nest Wildlife Area. Upon resolution of the land replacement, the division proposes to remove the federal nexus on the 23-acre portion of the Honig parcel to accommodate existing and proposed facility development supporting division operations.

The Environmental Assessment concludes that the preferred alternative – the proposed land replacement – would not result in any adverse environmental impacts, would resolve interference with the purpose stated in the 1962 federal grant agreement, would provide a greater number of acres, greater total current market value, greater overall benefits for wildlife and wildlife habitat and greater opportunities for hunting within the local community area.

Comments concerning this Environmental Assessment will be accepted for 30 days from the date of this notice. Comments may be sent to: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, ATTN: Environmental Assessment – Land Replacement, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE, 19901, or by completing an online form. For additional information please call (302) 739-9910.

Related Topics:  environmental assessment, federal funds, fish and wildlife, public comment, public notice, wildlife areas