Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

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We're hiring! Join our Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances as an environmental specialist! This position is responsible for auditing and assessing state-owned properties for compliance with the Universal recycling laws. This includes assessing existing levels of recycling in relation to the total waste stream generated. This position will also assist in developing marketing and educational materials and provide recommendations to recycling regulations. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ddiYZexN

Delaware was proud to join regional partners last week in celebrating a $249 million federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, which will support the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging infrastructure. With $12 million designated for Delaware, this project will fund one charging location with 25 chargers. DNREC contributed a central role in the development of Delaware’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan and in coordinating with other state and federal partners. The plan builds on the Climate Action Plan to reduce air pollution and advance environmental justice for communities disproportionately impacted by vehicle emissions.

Since 1987, we've hosted the Coastal Cleanup, an annual litter pick-up event. This year, on Sept. 14, we saw more than 1,000 volunteers participate at about 45 sites across the state. Delaware’s event is based off an international cleanup effort started by Ocean Conservancy in 1986. Since its inception, more than 18 million volunteers have cleaned up in excess of 190,000 tons of trash around the globe. Locally, the 2024 volunteers covered all 59 miles of the state’s beaches, with much of the attention going to Sussex County — no surprise given so much of the coast there consists of award-winning beaches. The volunteers represented a wide variety of ages and came from school clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, environmental groups and more, with many joining of their own volition simply to do their part in keeping nature clean. One of the main pluses of the cleanup, according to organizers, is that record-keeping is an important part of the annual event. That enables DNREC to track exactly how much garbage is collected, which can be used to look for trends, provide insight on policy proposals and even connect directly with manufacturers. When legislators were looking to pass a ban on single-use plastic bags in 2019, DNREC was able to let them know just how many bags had been collected in the most recent Coastal Cleanup, for instance. That ban, by the way, has had a positive impact since taking effect in 2021, with fewer plastic bags being found during the cleanup, according to organizers. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in this year's Coastal Cleanup! To learn more about this year's event, visit our recent Outdoor Delaware article: https://lnkd.in/eqRFWyJj de.gov/coastalcleanup

We recently spoke with Bill McAvoy, who has been DNREC’s foremost plant expert for 33 years about Delaware’s battle against invasive species threatening native wildlife. The exact number of invasive species in Delaware is unknown, but according to state botanist Bill McAvoy, the state has 798 non-native plant species, of which 175 — about 11% of all flora here — are invasive. "Non-native invasive species are so aggressive in their growth habits that they outcompete and displace native vegetation. They overtop, cast shade, and reduce available soil space for native species,” said McAvoy. “In time, native plant populations slowly contract and decline to the point where they die out. You multiply that with overbrowsing by deer and native species really struggle to hold on. Deer don’t eat non-native species, simply because they don’t recognize them, or they have a disagreeable taste. There is a cascading effect when native plant species decline. Native pollinators and other invertebrates, as well as mammals, birds, reptiles, etc., that depend on these species for food and nesting, also decline.” Learn more on our latest Outdoor Delaware article: https://lnkd.in/epfvDkts

We released findings today from a comprehensive study on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in surface waters across Delaware. The study, conducted in the fall of 2022, involved the collection and analysis of 83 surface water samples from 33 watersheds throughout the state. The study summarizes and presents analytical results used to evaluate existing concentrations of PFAS and prioritize future actions to address areas of the state most impacted by what have become known as “forever chemicals.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ed99mTAA El Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Control Ambiental (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, DNREC) publicó hoy los hallazgos de su estudio integral sobre las sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS) en las aguas superficiales de Delaware. El estudio, realizado en el otoño de 2022, incluyó la recolección y análisis de 83 muestras de aguas superficiales de 33 cuencas hidrográficas en todo el estado. El estudio resume y presenta los resultados analíticos utilizados para evaluar las concentraciones existentes de PFAS y priorizar acciones futuras para abordar las áreas del estado más afectadas por lo que se ha llegado a conocer como "químicos persistentes". Más información: https://lnkd.in/eXhSG_96 Depatman Resous Natirèl ak Kontwòl Anviwònmantal la te pibliye dekouvèt yo jodia ki soti nan etid global DNREC a sou PFAS (sibstans pè ak polifliyowoalkile) nan dlo sifas nan Delaware. Etid la, reyalize nan otòn 2022, te enplike koleksyon ak analiz 83 echantiyon dlo sifas nan 33 basen vèsan atravè eta a. Etid la rezime ak prezante rezilta analitik itilize pou evalye konsantrasyon PFAS ekzistan epi priyorize aksyon fiti pou adrese zòn nan eta a ki plis afekte pa sa yo te vin konnen sou non "pwodwi chimik etènèl." Aprann plis: https://lnkd.in/eAGK5Hxu

Two of our hydrologists, John Cargill IV and Todd A. Keyser, P.G., addressed the issue per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals" in our state, just published in Daily State News/BaytoBayNews.com: https://lnkd.in/efkht8Sg

DNREC encourages nonprofit groups, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowners’ associations to submit project proposals to be considered for matching grant funds from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program. Funding for grant award projects in this cycle is expected to range from $25,000 to $75,000. Projects recommended by DNREC staff for funding through a competitive grant process will be presented to the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council. Applicants may submit up to two project proposals per grant cycle. Project guidelines and the grant application can be found at de.gov/envfinance. Community Water Quality Improvement Grants assist in implementing projects or programs that improve water quality on developed lands with specific watershed improvement plans and strategies. Programs and projects selected for these grants must demonstrate innovative and sustainable methods, techniques, and/or practices for water quality improvements, with cost-effective and measurable results. Eligible projects may include: • Enhancement or restoration of water quality within an impaired watershed • Community stormwater management improvements in existing developments in partnership with municipalities • Non‐regulatory or voluntary plans involving pollution control strategies, watershed-based restoration plans, whole basin management preliminary assessments, or community‐based stormwater permits. Past projects that received Community Water Quality Improvement Grant funding have included: a green roof installation; living shoreline installation and marsh enhancement to stop erosion; a stormwater retrofit project featuring a wetland and bioswale to manage stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces; stream bank restoration to reduce erosion and sedimentation; and green stormwater improvements. Grant proposals should be submitted by email to NPS.grants@delaware.gov, with “Community Water Quality Improvement Grants” in the subject line. Emailed proposals must be less than 10MB. All grant proposals must be received by DNREC close of business (4:30 p.m.) Wednesday, Oct. 30. https://lnkd.in/e47N_C7F

Thank you to Ana Golia, our incredible summer intern, for all her excellent work during her time at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Ana joined our Public Affairs team after earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in May. (Go Blue Hens!) Her environmental communication professor (h/t Carolyn White Bartoo, APR) encouraged her to apply. We're so glad she did! During Ana's internship, she helped us create engaging content for our digital newsletter, online magazine, social media, website and more. She helped coordinate events to celebrate a new outdoor classroom in Wilmington, the installation of life rings at Woodland Beach and young environmentalists throughout the state. She staffed the Delaware State Fair and helped plan our annual Coastal Cleanup. She did it all with so much joy too! We wrapped up her last day with a fun visit to the scenic Blackbird Creek Reserve in Townsend. Though Ana is heading back to New England, we'll miss her in Delaware. Ana, we can't wait to hear what you'll do next!

In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS and sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals,” have entered the public consciousness as scientists have come to realize how prevalent these substances are in our water, soil, food and bodies. DNREC has stepped up to the plate to help develop solutions to the problem, and in 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the first official limits for PFAS, as low as four parts per trillion for certain substances. But how can policymakers even know if something is present in such a small amount? After all, four parts per trillion is literally 0.0000000004% — a total that can seem almost impossibly infinitesimal. That’s where DNREC’s Environmental Laboratory comes in. The team of about two dozen scientific, technical and support staff play a vital role in supporting DNREC by collecting and testing water samples for various contaminants, and their work helps inform the decisions of policymakers as they confront modern environmental and public health challenges. Laboratory staff look for various contaminants in samples collected, which can include nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals or bacteria. Their work helps detect potential pollution concerns for both humans and the environment and is of course vital as Delaware continues to respond to the growing issue related to PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Currently, Main is working on environmental DNA, which is DNA that can be found in the natural environment from skin cells, feces and other environmental sources and can be used for the detection of rare and invasive species. Read more on our new Outdoor Delaware article, "Inside the DNREC Environmental Laboratory Responsible for Testing for Forever Chemicals and Other Contaminants". https://lnkd.in/ep54FW2k