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 Pages Tagged With: "watershed stewardship"

Chesapeake Bay Projects

This page includes information on some of the projects undertaken by DNREC and its partners to help meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.
Related Information Best Management Practices StoryMap Redden State Forest Project (2013)



Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan – Phase III

There have been three phases of Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay WIP. Delaware developed its Phase I WIP in 2010 and its Phase II WIP in 2012. Both the Phase I and Phase II WIPs describe actions and controls to be implemented by 2017 and 2025 to achieve applicable water quality standards. The Phase III WIP provides


Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan – Phase I

Draft Phase I Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) were due to EPA on Sept. 1, 2010. Final plans were submitted on Nov. 29, 2010. Following the release of Delaware’s Draft Phase I WIP, numerous comments and questions from both EPA and various stakeholder groups within the watershed were submitted.


Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan – Phase II

Delaware’s Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan for the Chesapeake Watershed was submitted to the EPA on Dec. 15, 2011. EPA reviewed the document and provided comments in Feb. 2012. Public comments were accepted through March 21, 2012. All suggestions were considered and the document was modified accordingly.


Events and Workshops

The DNREC Nonpoint Source Program has hosted and participated in a series of events, workshops, and presentations designed to promote and support improvements to the quality of Delaware’s waterways. Delaware Agriculture Week (January 8-11, 2024) Delaware Agriculture Week, held at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, is


Chesapeake Bay Milestones

To continue accelerating progress toward meeting water quality goals, the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Program jurisdictions, including Delaware, agreed to set interim two-year milestones – or short-term goals – as a critical part of an accountability framework.
ChesapeakeStat Find data and information


Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan

Delaware is among six Chesapeake Bay Watershed states – along with Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York – and the District of Columbia committed to a federal-state initiative to develop a pollution “diet” that will help restore the water quality of the Bay and its tidal waters by 2025. [column


Verification of Best Management Practices

The implementation, tracking and reporting of Best Management Practices (BMPs) has been at the center of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership’s restoration efforts for almost three decades. Properly installed and functioning practices and technologies reduce local flooding, protect sources of drinking water, ensure against the collapse of stream


Watershed Plans and Strategies

Numerous documents describing plans or strategies for water quality and watershed improvements have been developed over the years. Some of these efforts originated through the Tributary Action Team process while others came through other initiatives. All of the documents below can be considered watershed management plans for the Water Quality Improvement Projects grant program


Pollution Control Strategies and Tributary Action Teams

A 1997 federal court case required Delaware to set pollution limits for its waterways. These limits are called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs, a term you will hear a lot in water pollution discussions. In order to meet these new pollution limits, we are identifying ways to reduce water pollution. Usually, citizens don’t get


Integrated Report: 305(b) Report and 303(d) List

Section 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act requires that states and other entities prepare and submit Watershed Assessment Reports to the US EPA on April 1 of every even-numbered year.

Contact Us

Watershed Assessment and Managment Section 302-739-9939



You Can Help Protect Delaware’s Waterways

There are always things that you can do in your everyday life, no matter where you live, to help protect the waterways that serve as our drinking water sources, habitat for wildlife, and places of recreation. Maintain a Healthy Lawn and Garden A healthy lawn and garden makes a


Watershed Assessment and Management

The Watershed Assessment and Management Section oversees the health of the state’s surface water resources and takes actions to protect and improve water quality for aquatic life and human use.

Contact Us

Michael Bott 302-739-9939



Whole Basin Management

Beginning in the 1990s, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) took a different approach to assessing, managing, and protecting Delaware’s natural resources. This approach, known as Whole Basin Management, encouraged the various programs throughout DNREC to work in an integrated manner to assess different geographic areas of the state defined on the


Protecting Our Waterways

There are many things each of us can do to help reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering Delaware’s waterways. Our efforts will not only help protect the environment, but in many cases, when you lend a hand to protect our waterways, you will also find that you’re adding beauty to your yard,


Water Quality Monitoring

Delaware’s bays, ponds, streams, and rivers are monitored on a regular basis to assess the quality of Delaware’s surface waters. Much of the monitoring is done by DNREC, though other groups, including federal agencies, academic institutions, and citizen volunteer monitoring programs, also contribute to these efforts.



Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy

The Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) and accompanying regulations were finalized in Nov. 2008. This strategy is designed to improve the water quality of the bays (Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay), as well as the rivers, streams, and ponds that drain to the bays.
ADVISORY: A


Surface Water Quality Standards

The National Clean Water Act of 1972 set in place a program that is intended to restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. To reach these goals, a series of steps were mandated by Congress for the Environmental Protection Agency and the individual States to take. The first step was for


Promoting Shellfish Safety

To ensure the safety of Delaware’s shellfish growing areas, it is important that residents and visitors help maintain good water quality and limit pollution while recreating in or near shellfish growing areas.

Contact Us

Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939



Shellfish Plant Inspections

Plant inspections of all shellfish shippers and processors are conducted routinely by certified Shellfish Program staff to ensure compliance with national food safety regulations and those specific to the shellfish industry.

Contact Us

Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939


Delaware Shellfish Program

The DNREC Shellfish Program is responsible for protecting public health by minimizing the risk of food borne illness due to the consumption of shellfish.
Growing Waters and Plant Inspections Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939 Enforcement Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Ms. Linda Dressler and Mr. Christopher Randolf have filed an application for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to construct a third floor addition within the footprint of the existing dwelling on Lot 1, Block 40, Dewey Beach.


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Mrs. Catharine C. Dorrier has applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to build an elevator room within the existing porch on Lot 1112 and 910, Block 122, Bethany Beach.


Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook Details

The Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook provides background information on erosion and sedimentation, information on Delaware’s regulatory program and standards and specifications for erosion and sediment control. Download the full Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and any of the standard details to be used on Sediment and Stormwater Plans (below) that are needed.


Sediment and Stormwater Newsletter

The DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program offers an email-based newsletter that shares information on permitting, best practices, training opportunities, and more. Send a blank email to join-dnrec_sedstorm_news@lists.state.de.us to sign up for the newsletter. Past Issues 2024 Oct. 2024 Sept. 2024


Sediment and Stormwater Applications

The Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations require an approved Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan from the department or a delegated agency for regulated land-disturbing activities.

Contact Us

Sediment and Stormwater Program 302-608-5458
Applicants will use


Plan Review, Engineering, Construction and Maintenance Resources

The following are resources from the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program for sediment and stormwater plan reviews, engineering design, construction activities and maintenance of best management practices. Plan Review Engineering


Stormwater Watershed Reports

This page contains links to reports on the characteristics of specific Delaware watersheds for use in preparation of sediment and stormwater plans. Appoquinimink Scope of Work Hydrology Report – January 2009 Appendix A – TSDN Documents


Training and Certification

The DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program provides several different training opportunities to help those involved in land development and construction projects meet the requirements of the Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations.

Contact Us

Sydney Hall Sediment and Stormwater Program 302-608-5458



Sediment and Stormwater

The DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Management Program operates within the Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Conservation Programs Section. The program employs a comprehensive approach to sediment control (both during and after construction) and stormwater management that includes monitoring of stormwater quantity and water quality control.
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Sediment and Stormwater Delegated Agencies

The following agencies have delegation of Sediment and Stormwater Program elements, consisting of plan review, construction inspection, and maintenance inspection for their geographic boundaries. State Agencies Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Watershed Stewardship Sediment and Stormwater Program 285 Beiser Boulevard, Suite 102 Dover DE 19904 302-608-5458 DNREC is responsible


Public Hearing: Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution

The Division of Watershed Stewardship will conduct a virtual public hearing on proposed revisions to the Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution, Part 2 – Special Conditions for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities.


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Grinspoon have applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to construct a single family dwelling with an 11′ cantilevered porch/deck on Lot 50, Block 1, South Bethany.


Floodplain Management

The DNREC floodplain management program works to preserve public health, safety, and well-being and protect property by reducing flood hazard risks statewide.

Contact Us

Kathy Potter 302-608-5500
Flood Insurance Floodplain Mapping


The First State Watermark

An archive of past editions of The First State Watermark, Delaware’s floodplain management newsletter.
December 2021 July 2021 February 2021 June 2020 January 2020 June 2019 May


Resources for Communities

The federal government requires communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to adopt updated floodplain regulatory language to comply with NFIP requirements.

Contact Us

Kathy Potter 302-739-9921
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Floodplain Mapping

The DNREC Floodplain Management Program works with FEMA to improve the accuracy of Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which were originally created in the 1970s, and to provide technical support pertaining to flood risk.

Contact Us

Alicia Sweet 302-608-5500
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The National Flood Insurance Program

Homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Contact Us

Kathy Potter 302-608-5500
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Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

The City of Rehoboth has applied for a permit to replace 16 light poles, outfit them for wireless coverage and install conduits for cables on and around the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach.


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Kane have applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to construct a single family dwelling with a cantlievered deck/porch on Lot 5, Bayberry Dunes.


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Todd Nevin has applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to build a single family dwelling with a 12-foot cantilevered deck on Lot 15, Block 1, South Bethany.


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

The Port Lewes Association of Unit Owners has applied for a permit to construct a dune reinforcement system, including placement of sand, and a pedestrian dune crossover.


Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Duenkel have applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to renovate the existing dwelling, including the construction of a new second story and roof on Lot 3, Block A, in Bethany Beach.


Delaware’s Section 303(d) Waters and Data Solicitation

DNREC announces the availability and opportunity to comment on the Department’s Tentative Determination for Delaware’s 2020 Section 303(d) List (water quality limited segments) and the supporting Documents for the determinations.


Floodplain Mapping for Clear Brook

DNREC and the federal government are working on an update of floodplain maps for Clear Brook, near Seaford in Sussex County. The study involves new data and engineering models. DNREC is gathering input from local property owners and businesses as part of the update.
Update (4/1/2021): FEMA has issued the Letter of


Information About Vibrio Bacteria

Vibrio are bacteria that occur naturally in brackish waters such as the Delaware Bay, the Inland Bays and tributaries, especially during warm weather months. Vibrio infections are relatively rare in Delaware and nationwide. However, when Vibrio or other bacteria come into contact with an open wound, they can cause serious infections. Vibrio infections can be


What is a Red Tide?

“Red Tide” is the common term for a particular type of harmful algal bloom made up of large concentrations of toxic red dinoflagellates called Karenia brevis (K. Brevis). These are tiny red-colored, naturally-occurring aquatic microorganisms which, in sufficient concentrations, can cause a reddish tint to the water. At very high concentrations, they can cause toxic


Recreational Water Monitoring

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control monitors recreational waters to ensure their quality for swimming and other recreational uses. The Department tests for Enterococcus bacteria, which indicate the presence of other potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. The results of these tests are available online and though an email alert system.


Watershed Stewardship Contacts

Steve Williams, Director 285 Beiser Blvd., Suite 102 Dover, DE 19904 302-739-9921
Watershed Assessment and Management 302-739-9939 Shoreline and Waterway Management 302-608-5500 Conservation Programs 302-608-5458
Drainage Program 21309 Berlin


Determining Dredging Priorities

The DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section uses a data-based method to prioritize statewide dredging projects in Delaware’s Inland Bays and along the Delaware Bay coast.

Contact Us

Shoreline and Waterway Management Section 302-608-5500
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