The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is advancing the Delaware River Dredged Material Utilization (DMU) Project, also known as the Bay Beach Nourishment Project.

Each year, approximately three million cubic yards of sand are dredged from the Delaware River. This project will beneficially use material dredged from the Delaware River navigable channel for beach nourishment projects for coastal storm risk management for Delaware’s Bayshore communities. This will reduce the harmful impacts of flooding and coastal storms by reducing vulnerabilities, enhancing resilience and protecting lives, property and natural resources.

Project Overview

The project includes:

One-Time Sand placement to rebuild beach berm and beaches.

Habitat improvements that support coastal ecosystems.

Public access considerations consistent with state and federal requirements.

Real estate coordination with property owners for easement acquisition.

The project agreement is for the one-time placement of sand. Additional federal funds would need to be obtained for further nourishment in the future.

Project Benefits

The project will provide enhanced storm protection and reduced flood risk for homes, businesses and infrastructure. It will also improve recreational opportunities and public beach access while supporting wildlife and coastal habitats.

Contact Information

DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section
302-739-9921 | DNREC_Shorelines@delaware.gov

Communities

Four Bayshore communities — Kitts Hummock, Pickering Beach, North Bowers Beach and Slaughter Beach — are currently moving forward with design and pre-construction activities. These communities represent the initial priority areas based on shoreline conditions and project need as presented at an initial town hall meeting on July 29, 2025.

As the design phase continues, community selection for replenishment construction may be altered based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• Available federal and state funding
• Easement acquisition and real estate coordination
• Environmental and engineering considerations

Detailed maps and project footprints will be provided as design progresses.

Project Easements

Beach replenishment requires a variety of easements from property owners in the project area. Easements allow construction and nourishment activities to occur.

Below are the various types of easements required for this project:

Perpetual Beach Storm Damage Reduction Easement – Allows construction of projects on properties and allows access for beach maintenance and public use.

Road/Access Road Easement – A temporary easement for project access, generally within private roads/property for project construction.

Mobilization and Construction Access Easement – A temporary easement for the lay down and storage of contractor materials and equipment.

Property owners will be contacted directly with information packets if required to furnish easement(s) for this project.

Public Access

Federal regulations require that reasonable public access be provided in accordance with the recreational use objectives of the particular area. Public use is “construed to be effectively limited to within one-quarter mile from available points of public access to any particular shore.” No two public access points can be further than half a mile apart, and no visitor can be further than a quarter of a mile from an individual access point.

The federal regulations also discuss parking requirements and state that parking on free or reasonable terms should be available within a reasonable walking distance of the beach.

Public access and parking available and/or needed to comply with federal regulations in each community.

Learn more about shoreline public access requirements in Delaware.

Project Timeline

Winter 2025/2026: Initial Town Hall Meetings

Winter 2026: Shoreline Public Access Requirements

Winter/Spring 2026: Easement collection and design finalization

Spring 2026: Final community selection and construction contract award[FJ4] 

Fall/Winter 2026: Beach replenishment construction begins (in selected communities)

Timeline subject to change based on permitting, funding, public access, real estate coordination, and weather conditions.

How to Stay Involved

This web page will be updated as project planning progresses. Interested residents are welcome to join any of the community meetings, which will be listed here and on the main DNREC calendar of events.

Related Topics:  beach nourishment, beaches, delaware bay, shorelines, watershed stewardship