Voices of the Tide: Stories of Connection with the Ocean

To celebrate Ocean Month, in June, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is exploring the stories of our connections with the ocean. It starts with an invitation to all to share their own stories of connection with the sea. “To me, the ocean is always where I took

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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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Economic Analysis for Shoreline Management

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has released a study that investigates the economic benefits of beach nourishment and begins to explore a more equitable policy to share the cost of these projects with the people who benefit from them. [button type=”primary” block=”true” link=”https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Watershed/Shorelines/economic-analysis/Full-Report.pdf”

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Federal Consistency Review Responses

This page is a collection of Coastal Zone Management Federal Consistency review responses from DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs. Federal Consistency Reviews help ensure that state and federal actions in the Coastal Zone are consistent and coordinated. Activity reviews requiring public notification are posted on the DNREC Public Notices page.

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From Wilmington to Fenwick, Volunteers Clean Up Trash Along Delaware’s Coast

For more than 30 years, Delaware’s Coastal Cleanup has removed literal tons of garbage from our state’s coastal areas. In the 2024 event, held after the prior year saw a cancellation due to bad weather, more than 1,000 people gave their time to help pick up litter (including a couch and a mannequin head) at almost 50 sites up and down eastern Delaware.

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For Kids and Families

DNREC’s National Estuarine Research Reserve offers a variety of fun and educational activities for children and adults on Reserve property and along the Delaware Bayshore. All activities are free. Most require pre-registration. Delaware National Estuarine

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Ocean Planning

Delaware Coastal Programs supports the long-term economic and ecological health of the Mid-Atlantic through regional ocean planning efforts. What’s your connection to the sea? Why is it important to you? Share your stories in the Voices of the Tide project. Help celebrate Ocean Month in June and help DNREC planners identify

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Coastal Zone Act Application Materials

Manufacturing, heavy industry, and bulk product transfer activities since 1971 in Delaware’s coastal zone require a coastal zone permit in addition to other applicable DNREC permits. CZA Program 302-739-9283 [modal text=”Get Email Updates” title=”Subscribe to the Coastal Zone Act

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Delaware Coastal Zone Act Program

The Coastal Zone Act regulates new and existing manufacturing, heavy industry, and bulk product transfer activities in Delaware’s coastal zone through a permitting system. CZA Program 302-739-9283 [modal text=”Get Email Updates” title=”Subscribe to the Coastal Zone Act Email List”

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History of the Coastal Zone Act

Then-Governor Russell Peterson and the Delaware General Assembly passed the Delaware Coastal Zone Act (CZA) in 1971. It was signed into law on June 28, 1971. The Act is designed to protect the coastal areas from the impacts of heavy industrialization and bulk product transfer and safeguard their use primarily for recreation and tourism.

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City of New Castle Ecosystem Assessment and Enhancement Project

The City of New Castle and DNREC have partnered for a study to determine the potential impacts of various sea level rise scenarios on the city’s ecosystems. The Ecosystem Assessment and Enhancement Project is based on the recommendations of a previous city/state partnership. It will

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Coastal Construction Permits

The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship manages permits and approvals under the regulatory programs that govern coastal construction in Delaware. ePermitting Application Instructions

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Questions and Answers

A collection of common questions, and answers, about the coastal construction regulatory program. The Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section has a series of maps that show the location of the Building Line.

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Adopt-a-Beach

DNREC’s Adopt-A-Beach program is a partnership between the Department and Delaware volunteers, working in tandem to protect and enhance Delaware’s beaches. Going beyond just picking up litter, DNREC’s

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Beach Grass Planting

Volunteers are the backbone of Delaware’s shoreline stabilization. Every spring since 1990, except when pandemic conditions prevented it, dedicated volunteers have stabilized Delaware’s sand dunes by planting more than 5 million stems of Cape American beach grass along ocean and bay beaches. The 2025 Annual Beach Grass Planting

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You Can Help Protect Beaches and Dunes

There are several ways property owners and visitors can preserve and protect beaches and dunes. Plant Beach Grass Planting ‘Cape’ American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata)

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Beaches and Shorelines

The DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section works to maintain and improve Delaware’s beaches, shorelines and waterways. The section manages the shoreline through regulation of coastal

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Coastal Construction

Coastal development adds stress to beach systems, especially to dunes. Dunes and beaches are the first lines of protection from wave action for coastal communities during coastal storms. Dunes also act as storage areas that supply sand to the beach during storms.

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Delaware Beach Building Line Maps

The Regulations Governing Beach Protection and the Use of Beaches (7 DE Admin. Code 5102) establishes a “building line” along the coast and stipulate that no construction may take place seaward of that without a Coastal Construction Permit or Coastal Construction Letter of Approval from the Department. The building line is mapped by the Department

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Beaches are a Natural Resource

The sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay shorelines are valuable natural resources to the State of Delaware. The beaches were created by nature and continue to be shaped by wind and waves. The 1972 Beach Preservation Act (7 Del.C. Chapter 68) provides the authority to DNREC to enhance, preserve, and protect the

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The Delaware Bayshore Initiative

Extending from Pea Patch Island in New Castle County to the City of Lewes in Sussex County, the Delaware Bay shoreline is widely recognized as an area of global ecological significance. Its expansive coastal marshes, shoreline, agricultural lands and forests provide diverse habitat to many species, including migratory shorebirds.

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Climate Communications Training

It is possible to facilitate informative and empowering conversations about climate change. In this two-day course, participants will learn about strategic framing – a research based approach to communication that engages audiences in thinking productively about how they can participate in creating or supporting solutions to climate change. Overview

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Request for a Coastal Zone Act Status Decision: EdgeGEN

Tangent Generation Resources (edgeGEN) has submitted a request for a Coastal Zone Act Status Decision regarding its proposal to install and operate three 2-megawatt natural gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engines at the Kuehne Chemical facility at 1645 River Road, in Delaware City.

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Resilient Community Partnership: Atlantic Coast Communities and Lewes

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs (DCP) office has partnered with a group of seven unique coastal municipalities on a comprehensive assessment of impervious surface coverage. The project will produce community-specific strategies for reducing existing and future impervious surface coverage and increasing stormwater infiltration. Local Leadership [column

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Delaware Coastal Programs Federal Consistency Determinations

Federal Consistency Determinations have been submitted to the Delaware Coastal Management Program for two proposals from the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service.

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Delaware Coastal Cleanup

Trash on our beaches and in our waterways isn’t just unsightly – it’s also potentially dangerous to marine life and in some cases harmful to water quality. The annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup offers volunteers an opportunity to help make a difference for Delaware’s shoreline and waterways while joining an international effort to clean up the

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Coastal Programs Federal Consistency Certifications: Sussex County Airport Terminal Replacement

The Delaware Coastal Airport at 21513 Rudder Lane, Georgetown, is proposing the demolition of an existing 6,500 square foot hangar/office facility and the construction of a new approximately 20,000 square foot aircraft hangar with associated parking spaces.

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Application for a Coastal Zone Act Status Decision: DP&L LNG Facility

Delmarva Power & Light Company has applied for a for a Coastal Zone Act Status Decision as to whether they must apply for approval to develop a satellite liquefied natural gas facility, at their property on River Road, in New Castle, Delaware.

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Public Hearing: Coastal Zone Regulations

DNREC and the Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board will jointly conduct a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Regulations Governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone on June 24, 2019, at 6:00 P.M., at the DNREC office at 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle.

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Federal Consistency Certifications for Scott Boat Lifts L&R Canal

Federal Consistency Certifications have been submitted to the Delaware Coastal Management Program for Scott Boat Lifts for the proposed installation of two new boat lifts in existing boat slips and four new pilings adjacent to the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal at 618 Pilottown Road, Lewes.

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Public Meeting Notice: Delaware Coastal Programs

A public meeting will be held, as part of the federal performance evaluation of the Delaware Coastal Management Program, at 5:30 pm on Monday, May 20, 2019 in the DNREC State Street Commons Training Room (First Floor), at 100 W. Water Street, Suite 6A, Dover, Delaware.

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Coastal Program Federal Consistency Determination: DP&L Drainage Pipe Installation Newark

Federal Consistency Certifications have been submitted to the Delaware Coastal Management Program for the following: DP&L Drainage Pipe Installation Newark (2019.0043)

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Coastal Program Federal Consistency Determination: Christina Apartments

Federal Consistency Determinations have been submitted to the Delaware Coastal Management Program for the following: Christina Apartments Smyrna DE (2019.0045)

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Coastal Zone Conversion Permits Open Houses

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is seeking input on the preliminary recommendations made by the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act Regulatory Advisory Committee. February 25, in Claymont February 26, in Delaware

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CZCPA Work Groups

Four Work Groups were formed to provide technical support to the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act (CZCPA) Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC). This page contains information about each of the four Work Groups, including focus areas and meeting materials. Due to the complex nature of many topics addressed in the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act,

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CZCPA Regulatory Advisory Committee

In June 2018, DNREC assembled the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act (CZCPA) Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC) to provide guidance and feedback to DNREC on the development of regulations under the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act. This page contains all information and materials from Committee meetings, including the RAC’s final recommendations. Regulatory

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New Castle Resilient Community Events

The public participation portion of the City of New Castle Resilient Community Partnership included a series of public meetings at which residents and stakeholders were able to brainstorm and contribute their input to the partnership. March 14, 2018 Resilient Community Partnership Public Workshop City of New

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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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Past Projects and Fellows

The DNREC Coastal Management Program and the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve are dynamic, evolving programs whose focus remains on the balance between the use and protection of Delaware’s coastal resources. This is an archive of information about some past projects.

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The Delaware Coastal Management Program

From the Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware’s coastal resources contribute to its economy, environment, and quality of life. DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Management Program (DCMP) is a networked program that works to preserve, protect, develop, enhance, and resolve conflicts related to the state’s coastal resources. The Coastal

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Green Eggs and Sand

Green Eggs and Sand is an innovative workshop experience and set of curriculum modules designed to explore the Atlantic Coast horseshoe crab (HSC)/shorebird phenomenon and management controversy. Laurel Sullivan Education Coordinator, DNERR 302-735-3412 Karen Byrne New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection

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Coastal Zone Conversion Permits

The 2017 Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act amended the Coastal Zone Act to allow the reuse of 14 grandfathered sites of heavy industry use within Delaware’s Coastal Zone. The Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act required DNREC to develop regulations (7 DE Admin. Code 101) for the issuance of conversion permits and to set fees

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St. Jones Reserve

The St. Jones Reserve component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is located on the north shore of the St. Jones River, off Kitts Hummock Road, south of Dover in Kent County and includes a portion of Delaware Bay. The St. Jones Reserve is on the Delaware Bayshore Byway and includes a Visitor

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Blackbird Creek Reserve

The Blackbird Creek Reserve component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is located upstream from Delaware Route 9 at Taylors Bridge in Townsend, New Castle County. The Blackbird Creek Reserve is on the Delaware Bayshore Byway and includes trails, pavilion and canoe/kayak launch.

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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) offers a day of free family fun at the Blackbird Creek Fall Festival every October. [modal text=”Where Is It?” title=”Find the

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Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey

Citizen scientists and state researchers have surveyed the horseshoe crabs spawning along Delaware Bay beaches since 1990. The data they have collected has been key for scientists in monitoring changes in numbers of spawning crabs in the Bay.

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Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee

The Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee was created in 2010 to investigate the state’s vulnerability to sea level rise and to provide recommendations about how to best prepare for higher sea levels. Adapting to Sea Level Rise Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee

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Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Perceptions

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has initiated a series of public perception surveys to measure the Delaware public’s knowledge of, and interest in, the issues of climate change and sea level rise. The latest survey was conducted in November and December 2019. Surveys were also conducted in 2009 and 2014.

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Adapting to Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise affects more than beaches and oceanfront landowners. Sea level rise can increase the height of storm waves, making more areas vulnerable to storm damage. Sea level rise can inundate and flood low lying areas, causing losses to tidal wetlands, habitat, and agricultural areas. Sea level rise also can cause higher water tables and saltwater intrusion,

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