NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE DELAWARE ESTUARY

Contact:  Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902; and Shaun Bailey, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, 302-655-4990, ext. 113

Photos available upon request

Governor announces investment in Delaware Bay jobs and oyster reefs

Similar past investments yielded $25 to $50 for every dollar spent

LEIPSIC (March 9, 2011) – At one of Delaware’s most picturesque towns along Route 9, the fishing village of Leipsic in Kent County, Governor Jack Markell today announced the state’s plan to invest in habitat that will help restore and stabilize the oyster population in the Delaware Bay.

The Governor was joined by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara and Executive Director of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Jennifer Adkins and commercial oyster harvesters, seafood wholesalers and restaurateurs committed to the revitalization of the state’s oyster industry and the ecological restoration of our native oyster.

David E. Carlson, chief scientist and manager of future technology programs for BP Solar, will speak at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Seminar Series sponsored by the University of Delaware Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Carlson will speak on the topic “Photovoltaics and its Potential Impact on Climate Change.”

The lecture will be held in Room 206 Kirkbride Hall with a reception to follow in the lobby of DuPont Hall.

The lecture will be available via webcast. (full article)

The Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) has published a new geologic map of the Rehoboth Beach area in eastern Sussex County entitled Geologic Map of the Fairmount and Rehoboth Beach Quadrangles, Delaware. Geologic Map 16 presents the results of research by Kelvin W. Ramsey of the DGS.

The map shows and describes the geologic units found at the land surface and in the shallow subsurface in the map area. The purpose of the map is to provide geologic information that can be used for determining such things as the geology of watersheds, recognition of the relationship between geology and regional environmental or land-use issues to support land-use and regulatory decision making, and identification of potential locations of sand and gravel resources.

When used in conjunction with subsurface geologic information, the map can be used to aid in locating water supplies for public, domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, mapping groundwater recharge areas, and protecting ground- and surface-water resources in a rapidly growing area in Sussex County. (full article)

In a unique partnership between the departments of Fashion and Apparel Studies and Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware, faculty and students are designing and developing apparel and footwear using renewable sources and waste, with hopes that their end products will be fashionable, affordable and environmentally sustainable.

The undergraduate research team includes Paula Bonanno, Jillian Kramer and Stacey Lipschitz from fashion and Quan Dan from chemical engineering. Their project aims to solve many of the environmental problems currently plaguing the fashion industry, from a growing dependence on nonrenewable petroleum-derived materials to carbon emissions associated with traditional textiles such as leather, PVC and wool. (full atrticle)

The University of Delaware's 2-megawatt wind turbine is the site of new research that will help answer a common question about the alternative energy producers: How do they affect birds and bats?

The two-year project, which will assess the mortality risk of birds and bats around the turbine, is led by UD Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology researchers Jeffrey Buler and Gregory Shriver. It is funded by First State Marine Wind, a partnership between UD-owned Blue Hen Wind and turbine manufacturer Gamesa. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) also committed funds to support the effort.

A complementary project at the wind turbine that focuses solely on bats is being conducted by an expert at Delaware State University and is funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. (full article)

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Contact:  Melanie H. Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902; and DHSS Division of Public Health at 302-744-4704.

Protecting water sources is goal of Delaware River Basin Forum March 10 in Newark

DOVER (Feb. 24, 2011) – The Delaware River Basin Drinking Water Protection Forum will be held March 10 at sites throughout the region, including Delaware’s location – the University of Delaware’s (UD) Trabant University Center in Newark. The free forum will electronically connect regional and local officials, planners, water suppliers and other stakeholders at eight satellite locations in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Contact:  Melanie H. Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara and Clean Water Advisory Council announce the next $16 million of clean water infrastructure projects benefiting Delaware communities

DOVER (Feb. 16, 2011) – Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara and the Clean Water Advisory Council have announced the next $16 million in water infrastructure projects through the Delaware Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), bringing the number of ongoing projects to 41, totaling nearly $100 million. The loans will finance 16 new projects that will protect public health and the environment and are vital to the economic vitality of Delaware communities.

The CWSRF facilitates financing for construction projects for water infrastructure, such as treatment plants and upgrades to existing sewer systems. In addition, green projects - those that control flooding, reduce stormwater runoff and erosion and improve energy efficiency - are funded through the program.

Recyclemania 2011, an eight-week competition among college campuses to help reduce waste, is now under way.

During last year's campaign, UD recycled 275,000 pounds of material. This year's goal is 300,000 pounds.

To reach that goal, the participation of everyone is needed. And it's easy to participate. Just dispose of recyclables properly on campus.

The following items can be recycled: