Protecting Our Communities: Extreme Heat

Delaware is already experiencing the effects of a warming climate. Average temperatures have increased by about three degrees since 1895, with the 2010s marking the hottest decade on record. Climate projections show continued warming, with more frequent and intense heat waves, higher nighttime temperatures and a sharp increase in days above 90 degrees by the

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Protecting Our Communities: Emergent Hazards

Delaware is facing a growing range of climate-driven hazards beyond heat and flooding. In recent years, the state has experienced stronger storms, longer droughts, increased wildfire risk, emerging health threats and changes to coastal waters. Events like Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 — which produced the longest-tracking tornado in Delaware in more than 70 years

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Protecting Our Communities: Comprehensive Resilience

Compounding climate risks occur when multiple hazards interact and amplify one another, creating cascading impacts that strain communities, infrastructure and emergency response systems. As climate change intensifies, Delaware is increasingly likely to experience these overlapping risks, particularly when extreme events coincide or occur in quick succession. Vulnerable populations are often affected most, underscoring the need

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Protecting Our Communities

Building state resilience to established and emerging hazards through climate adaptation is critical to safeguarding Delaware’s communities, economy and environment for generations to come. Climate adaptation is a continuous process that can protect people, places and infrastructure; accommodate changing conditions; avoid future risk; and help communities strategically retreat from areas that cannot be safely protected.

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Mobile Home Community Assessment Field Schedule

The contractor chosen by DNREC to conduct an assessment of the conditions of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure in Delaware’s manufactured home communities has created a list of mobile home communities to contact and visit in person to gather additional information on community infrastructure conditions. Site surveys will occur between Jan. 5 and

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Wastewater Conditions Assessment for Manufactured Home Communities

The DNREC Division of Water has launched a project to assess the conditions of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure in Delaware’s manufactured home communities. The goal of the project is to identify communities that may need a more detailed evaluation and/or assistance in developing solutions to improve conditions for residents. Concerns About

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2026 CEPF Projects

This page presents details about each of the projects that have been approved for funding under the Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) for calendar year 2026. Claymont Coalition for Environmental Justice – $49,500 From Cleanup to Prevention: Illegal Dumping Deterrence in Knollwood

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Resilient Communities

Communities throughout Delaware are threatened by inland flooding, coastal storms, sea level rise, and changing climate conditions. The Resilient Community Partnership helps communities prepare to respond to coastal hazards. The

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Community Environmental Project Fund

The Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) provides money to support the restoration of the environment in communities that were damaged by environmental pollution. In 2013, Cornerstone West CDC received a grant to improve recreational green space in Wilmington’s west side. Three playgrounds were renovated. The fund was created by

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Community Ombudsman

The Community Ombudsman serves as a liaison between the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and communities and community organizations throughout the state.   Antonio Bivins Community Ombudsman Environmental Justice Office 100 W. Water Street, Suite 6B

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Communities in Need

The state has developed a list of communities in need as part of the Delaware Clean Water Initiative for Underserved Communities. These are communities that have lacked technical or financial capacity to address demonstrated public health and clean water challenges.

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Resilient and Sustainable Communities Summit

Nearly 200 people attended the first annual Delaware Resilient and Sustainable Communities Summit at the Del Tech Conference Center on November 27, 2017. The event drew a diverse audience from throughout Delaware, including representatives from 22 towns, 16 Nonprofit and Community Groups, 15 Federal and State Agencies, 14 professional services companies, six county and regional

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Resilient and Sustainable Communities League

The Delaware Resilient and Sustainable Communities League is a group of 14 member organizations that coordinate together to help assist Delaware’s communities as they adapt to the impacts of climate change and work towards a more sustainable future. The Delaware Resilient and Sustainable Communities League now has its very own website!

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Community Involvement Advisory Council

The Community Involvement Advisory Council (CIAC) works to increase community participation and the flow of information between communities and the department. And it facilitates dialogue among all stakeholders during the decision-making process. Community Ombudsman 100 W. Water Street, Suite 6B Dover, DE 19904

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