Pages Tagged With: "planning"
Delaware Ocean and Bay Activity Guide
The Delaware Ocean and Bay Activity Guide is one of three core components of the Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan. It serves as an inventory of the marine activities and resource types occurring off Delaware’s coast. Insights into marine activities and current uses, in both a spatial and temporal context, were providedMarine Minerals
Activities associated with marine minerals are foundational elements of Delaware’s blue economy and environment. Sand and dredging support coastal resilience by replenishing beaches and maintaining navigable waterways critical for commerce and recreation. These activities also help protect coastal communities from erosion and storm impacts. While no other minerals, including oil, gas and sulfur, are currentlySubmarine Infrastructure
Submarine infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines, along with archaeological resources and artificial reefs, form both the literal and figurative foundation of Delaware’s blue economy and environment. On the seafloor, these structures support essential services like communication, energy transmission and habitat creation. Archaeological resources are records of the past, while artificial reefs enhance biodiversity andWater Quality
Water quality is a key element in planning for a healthy blue environment. Clean water supports the survival of marine life, sustains critical habitats and ensures safe conditions for recreation and fisheries. Poor water quality, caused by pollutants, excess nutrients or acidification, can lead to harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation and reduced survival in marineNatural Resources
The marine resources off Delaware’s coast are forced to adapt to increased human interactions and disturbances, known as anthropogenic impacts, warming waters and acidification. As essential components of Delaware’s ecosystem, marine resources in the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay provide ecosystem services such as supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, absorbing carbon dioxide and providing clean air.Marine Resource Conservation
Marine resource conservation is essential to maintaining a healthy blue environment off Delaware’s coast, ensuring the long-term sustainability of ecosystems that support commercial and recreational activities. By protecting habitats such as deep-sea corals and areas important to breeding populations of marine organisms, conservation efforts help preserve biodiversity and improve water quality. Thoughtful planning that considersOffshore Energy
Offshore energy is an emerging facet of Delaware’s blue economy, with offshore wind leading the way in providing clean power, economic investment and job creation. Projects like US Wind’s MarWin and Ørsted’s Skipjack are expected to deliver over a gigawatt of power. Newer technologies and forms of marine energy being explored in other parts ofMaritime Activities
Maritime activities are vital to Delaware’s blue economy, supporting jobs, economic growth and coastal communities. Marine transportation facilitates the movement of goods through the Port of Wilmington, a key regional hub. Commercial fishing and aquaculture contribute to the state’s seafood industry and cultural heritage, while military operations provide national security and generate local economic activity.Recreation and Tourism
Recreation and tourism play a major role in Delaware’s blue economy, supporting a wide range of businesses in Delaware, such as restaurants, hotels, marinas and sporting goods stores, especially in the summer months when beach visitation is at its peak. Recreation Photo: Sharon Denny TheTechnical Climate Advisors
The Technical Climate Advisors are experts from state agencies, higher education and other institutions tasked with evaluating and updating the State’s sea level rise, temperature and precipitation scenarios every five years to be used in the state Climate Action Plan and in support of other climate and sustainability initiatives. TheClimate and Sustainability Initiatives
The DNREC Climate and Sustainability Section is charged with coordinating state actions that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and improving Delaware’s resiliency to climate change impacts. They use technical assistance, financial incentives, policy development, pilot projects and education initiatives to meet this charge. The Division is committed toMeet Your Chemical Neighbors: DNREC’s New Portal Reveals Local Chemical Hazards
Do you know what chemicals are stored in your community? For four decades, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act has helped keep Americans safe by requiring officials to track hazardous substances, develop emergency plans in case of spills or leaks and make information available to the public. That includes providing details about businesses, schools and other places storing chemicals, which Delawareans can now view through a new portal from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.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.Contact Us
Kristen L. Thornton Delaware Coastal Programs 302-739-9173
Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, known as the SCORP, tracks the state’s recreation inventory, identifies needs for infrastructure and programs and guides public and private planning and investment to meet those needs. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation has released the 2025 – 2030 SCORP, Expanding Outdoor Recreation for All,Proposed Offshore Wind Cable Landing at Delaware Seashore State Park
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is working with park visitors and residents of coastal Sussex County to plan for potential recreational impacts of a proposal to bring power lines from an offshore wind project ashore at 3Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park.Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan
DNREC’s Coastal Programs is spearheading the development of a Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan to identify responsible management and stewardship practices that are applicable to the use and conservation of marine resources off Delaware’s coast. Ocean and Bay Planning Area [buttonResource Protection Section
The Resource Protection Section evaluates and protects Delaware’s water resources through technical assistance, field monitoring and sampling services, regulatory implementation, and standardizing processes for the Division’s inspection, compliance, and enforcement actions. Professional Licensing The division oversees licensing for wastewater system operators, professionals involved in on-site wastewater treatmentCity 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 willPrevious Planning and Research
The Christina-Brandywine River Remediation Restoration Resilience (CBR4) project area has seen more than two decades of planning work, to understand the needs of the community, and scientific research, to understand contamination sources. CBR4 Project MenuOutdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program
The DNREC Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program (ORPT), formerly known as the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund (DTF), is a matching grant program assisting with public park land acquisition and outdoor recreation facility development in Delaware.White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has adopted the White Clay Creek Master Plan. The plan presents a vision and framework for White Clay Creek State Park for the next 10 years.Tri-Valley Trail at White Clay Creek State Park
The White Clay Creek State Park Trail Plan, adopted in 2011 after extensive public outreach, addressed a future segment of the Tri-Valley Trail. Combined with other trails, the proposed Tri-Valley Trail is part of an 18-mile Greater Newark regional trail network. The Division of Parks and Recreation proposes to fill the trail system gapKillens Pond State Park Trail Concept Plan
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of developing a plan to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system of Killens Pond State Park.Contact Us
Fork Branch Preserve
The Division of Parks and Recreation proposes to build a small trailhead and 2.75 miles of trail to create public access to the Fork Branch Nature Preserve, in Dover.Contact Us
Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Plan
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of updating the Trail Plan for Cape Henlopen State Park. The purpose of the Trail Plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system in the park. [panel type=”success” heading=”ContactBrandywine Zoo Master Plan
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation held an open house in June of 2018 to present future plans for the Brandywine Zoo, in Wilmington.Contact Us
Division of Parks and Recreation 302-739-9210
Brandywine Creek Trail Plan
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation has updated the Brandywine Creek State Park Trail Plan. The purpose of the trail plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system of Brandywine Creek State Park. Final Trail PlanAuburn Valley Master Plan
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of updating the Auburn Valley Master Plan, which guides development of Auburn Valley State Park. About the Park Nestled along the Red Clay Creek and home to the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley SteamerAssawoman Canal Trail Concept Plan
A group of local community leaders and area residents interested in expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities developed the Assawoman Canal Trail Concept Plan. This work led to the 2015 opening of a 1.1-mile trail segment between Route 26 and Elliott Avenue along the west bank of the canal in Ocean View.Planning, Preservation and Development
The Planning, Preservation and Development Section administers land acquisition and protection programs, including the Open Space Program, the Office of Nature Preserves and the Cultural Resource Unit.Contact Us
Brooks Cahall Section Administrator 302-739-9210
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 [columnNew 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 NewDelaware 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
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 February of 2025. Surveys were also conducted in 2009, 2014 and 2019.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,Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards
This course, from the NOAA Office of Coastal Management, prepares planners and communities for planning and implementing green or natural infrastructure projects to reduce coastal natural hazards. Nature-based solutions, sometimes called “green infrastructure,” incorporate the natural environment and constructed systems that mimic natural processes in an integrated network thatFacilitation Basics for Coastal Managers
This two-day instructor-led course from the NOAA Office of Coastal Management is designed to increase participants’ ability to plan and facilitate a meeting (or a series of meetings) that minimize conflict and enhance problem solving. Collaboration is often cited as a good way to address coastal resource managementCreating a Flood Ready Community
This course, presented with the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration, Delaware Sea Grant and DNREC Coastal Programs, reviews the multiple sources of flood risks to Delaware communities that can be addressed and mitigated through planning, codes and ordinances. This training covers floodplain requirements for municipalities. It presentsRegister for Coastal Training
Coastal training and education programs are open to all, but registration is required. Registration is through the Delaware Learning Center, unless otherwise noted. Please login (see below) to the Learning Center then select the training from the My Training widget on the Welcome Page and follow the registration process. Or search for the courseSlaughter Beach Resilient Community Events
The public participation portion of the Slaughter Beach Resilient Community Partnership included a series of three public meetings at which residents and stakeholders were able to brainstorm and contribute their input to the partnership. July 22, 2017 Resilient Community Day Public Workshop Town of Slaughter Beach residents and stakeholders were invitedResilient Community Partnership: New Castle
The City of New Castle, like other low-lying Delaware communities, is vulnerable to natural hazards from multiple sources. New Castle is particularly at risk due to its location along the Delaware River, which makes it susceptible to upstream flooding, downstream tidal surge, and combinations of the two. AResilient Community Partnership: Slaughter Beach
The Town of Slaughter Beach, like other low-lying Delaware Bayfront communities, is vulnerable to natural hazards from multiple sources. Slaughter Beach currently experiences frequent flooding of streets and property during high tide. The town is also at risk for less frequent, but more extreme flooding events from stormCoastal Training Program
DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs offers training and assistance to coastal decision-makers through the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Coastal Training Program offers resources to help communities make informed decisions.Contact Us
Lynne Pusey Training and Engagement Coordinator 302-735-3417
