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October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Free Basic Emergency Class on August 26 and 27 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DelDOT Offers Sign Placement Law Reminder Ahead of Election Season Date Posted: August 13, 2022
DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts Date Posted: August 12, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: August 12, 2022
Statement From Auditor McGuiness On Judge’s Ruling Date Posted: August 11, 2022
Auditor’s Office to Release Fifteen Examinations of Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Date Posted: August 11, 2022
AG Jennings Unveils AG’s Abortion Legal Helpline Date Posted: August 10, 2022
State Launches Education Funding Study Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Northern California Date Posted: August 9, 2022
Family Emergency Preparedness Day Returns on September 17 Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project Date Posted: August 9, 2022
2022 State Test Results Provide Baseline for Pandemic Recovery Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DNREC, DelDOT To Deploy New EV Charging Stations Along State’s Major Travel Routes Via BIL Initiative Funding Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DPH Seeks Community-Based Applicants For Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Mini-Grants Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Sherman W. Tribbitt Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips In Dog Abandonment Case Resulting In Death Date Posted: August 5, 2022
Delaware Captive Bureau to Welcome New Director Date Posted: August 5, 2022
DPH Announces Additional Cases Of Monkeypox Date Posted: August 4, 2022
State of Delaware Commits to Filling Job Vacancies Date Posted: August 3, 2022
Mud Mill Pond Boat Ramp to Temporarily Reopen Due to Change in Dam Construction Schedule Date Posted: August 3, 2022
AG Jennings Applauds CJC Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Policy Changes Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces Formation of Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force Date Posted: August 2, 2022
El Programa de Pandemia EBT de Delaware Proporcionará Beneficios para Alimentar a Niños/as Durante el Verano Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Delaware’s Pandemic EBT Program will Provide Benefits to Feed Children During the Summer Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Division of Small Business Accepting Applications for Site Readiness Fund Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: An Oral History of Elbert Carvel Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Hunters Must Now Register Trail Cameras, Deer Stands and Ground Blinds Left on State Wildlife Areas Date Posted: August 1, 2022
CDC Raises Delaware’s COVID-19 Community Levels To High In All Counties Date Posted: July 29, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Jamaican Journey” by Katie West Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Winners to be Exhibited at CAMP Rehoboth Date Posted: July 29, 2022
DNREC Seeks Volunteers for Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sept. 17 Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Middle and High School Students Win Digital Mapping Awards Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Statewide Training on Reunification for School Emergencies Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Celebrating National ABLE to Save Month Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Aglands Permanently Preserves 3,800 Acres; Largest Number of Inland Bays Easements Ever Selected Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Delaware Health Agencies Seek Community-Based Applicants For Healthy Women, Healthy Babies Zones Mini-Grants Date Posted: July 28, 2022
DNREC Honors Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament Winners at Delaware State Fair Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Migrant Summer School Supports Students, Families Date Posted: July 28, 2022
AG Jennings Announces Major Settlement With Former Top Mortgage Lender Over Allegations Of Redlining Date Posted: July 27, 2022
Why Mental Health is Key to a Child’s Overall Health and Wellbeing Date Posted: July 27, 2022
DNREC Set to Begin Emergency Dredging Project Restoring Navigability in the Murderkill River Date Posted: July 26, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 28 de Julio Date Posted: July 26, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on July 28 Date Posted: July 26, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Multiple Pieces of Legislation Related to Maternal and Infant Health Date Posted: July 25, 2022
William Ushler indicted for Child Pornography, Sexual Solicitation of a Child Date Posted: July 25, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week is about Delaware City Date Posted: July 25, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of West Nile Virus Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: July 22, 2022
La DPH De Delaware Informa Dos Casos Nuevos De Viruela Símica; El Riesgo Para El Público Permanece Bajo Date Posted: July 22, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Free Basic Emergency Class on August 26 and 27 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DelDOT Offers Sign Placement Law Reminder Ahead of Election Season Date Posted: August 13, 2022
DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts Date Posted: August 12, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: August 12, 2022
Statement From Auditor McGuiness On Judge’s Ruling Date Posted: August 11, 2022
Auditor’s Office to Release Fifteen Examinations of Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Date Posted: August 11, 2022
AG Jennings Unveils AG’s Abortion Legal Helpline Date Posted: August 10, 2022
State Launches Education Funding Study Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Northern California Date Posted: August 9, 2022
Family Emergency Preparedness Day Returns on September 17 Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project Date Posted: August 9, 2022
2022 State Test Results Provide Baseline for Pandemic Recovery Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DNREC, DelDOT To Deploy New EV Charging Stations Along State’s Major Travel Routes Via BIL Initiative Funding Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DPH Seeks Community-Based Applicants For Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Mini-Grants Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Sherman W. Tribbitt Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips In Dog Abandonment Case Resulting In Death Date Posted: August 5, 2022
Delaware Captive Bureau to Welcome New Director Date Posted: August 5, 2022
DPH Announces Additional Cases Of Monkeypox Date Posted: August 4, 2022
State of Delaware Commits to Filling Job Vacancies Date Posted: August 3, 2022
Mud Mill Pond Boat Ramp to Temporarily Reopen Due to Change in Dam Construction Schedule Date Posted: August 3, 2022
AG Jennings Applauds CJC Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Policy Changes Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces Formation of Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force Date Posted: August 2, 2022
El Programa de Pandemia EBT de Delaware Proporcionará Beneficios para Alimentar a Niños/as Durante el Verano Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Delaware’s Pandemic EBT Program will Provide Benefits to Feed Children During the Summer Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Division of Small Business Accepting Applications for Site Readiness Fund Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: An Oral History of Elbert Carvel Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Hunters Must Now Register Trail Cameras, Deer Stands and Ground Blinds Left on State Wildlife Areas Date Posted: August 1, 2022
CDC Raises Delaware’s COVID-19 Community Levels To High In All Counties Date Posted: July 29, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Jamaican Journey” by Katie West Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Winners to be Exhibited at CAMP Rehoboth Date Posted: July 29, 2022
DNREC Seeks Volunteers for Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sept. 17 Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Middle and High School Students Win Digital Mapping Awards Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Statewide Training on Reunification for School Emergencies Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Celebrating National ABLE to Save Month Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Aglands Permanently Preserves 3,800 Acres; Largest Number of Inland Bays Easements Ever Selected Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Delaware Health Agencies Seek Community-Based Applicants For Healthy Women, Healthy Babies Zones Mini-Grants Date Posted: July 28, 2022
DNREC Honors Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament Winners at Delaware State Fair Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Migrant Summer School Supports Students, Families Date Posted: July 28, 2022
AG Jennings Announces Major Settlement With Former Top Mortgage Lender Over Allegations Of Redlining Date Posted: July 27, 2022
Why Mental Health is Key to a Child’s Overall Health and Wellbeing Date Posted: July 27, 2022
DNREC Set to Begin Emergency Dredging Project Restoring Navigability in the Murderkill River Date Posted: July 26, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 28 de Julio Date Posted: July 26, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on July 28 Date Posted: July 26, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Multiple Pieces of Legislation Related to Maternal and Infant Health Date Posted: July 25, 2022
William Ushler indicted for Child Pornography, Sexual Solicitation of a Child Date Posted: July 25, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week is about Delaware City Date Posted: July 25, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of West Nile Virus Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: July 22, 2022
La DPH De Delaware Informa Dos Casos Nuevos De Viruela Símica; El Riesgo Para El Público Permanece Bajo Date Posted: July 22, 2022
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Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Watershed Stewardship | News | Office of the Secretary | Date Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
The Murderkill River, shown here where it meets the Delaware Bay at Bowers, will be dredged in August to improve navigation for commercial and recreational vessels. DNREC photo.
An emergency dredging project is set to begin and be completed by the end of August to restore navigability in the Murderkill River, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Permitted by and with modification approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DNREC regulators, the project calls for removing approximately 52,000 cubic yards of sediment from the river’s navigation channel. DNREC will then make beneficial reuse of the dredged sand to nourish up to 1,000 feet of eroding shoreline at South Bowers Beach.
Funding for the $2.3 million project comes from appropriations to DNREC made under fiscal year 2022 and 2023 Bond Bills, both of which named the Murderkill River as a dredging priority.
“This important state-funded dredging project in the Murderkill River will restore navigability of the channel while bolstering shoreline resiliency in South Bowers,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “It’s a win-win in two critical DNREC areas of responsibility: navigable waterways and infrastructure support. Thanks to our partners – the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the town of Bowers and the South Bowers Volunteer Fire Company – for working with us to bring a much-needed dredging project to fruition.”
U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure this project could begin.
“After working to secure the necessary federal permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, I’m so glad that this project will now be able to begin and restore the Murderkill River to its full potential,” said Senator Carper. “In the Senate, I’m leading the effort to pass bipartisan legislation that would support navigability in our waters for years to come. Enacting this legislation will ensure towns across our state can better access the help they need to maintain their infrastructure.”
The Murderkill River is a federally-authorized navigation project that requires periodic dredging to maintain the safety and navigable access to the river, critically important to commercial and emergency vessels as well as recreational boating. The river forms the southern boundary of the Town of Bowers – a popular boating area with its docks, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife-owned boat launch and large parking area – before flowing into the Delaware Bay.
In early 2022, DNREC removed sand from the Murderkill Inlet’s navigation channel but was limited by having to use a land-based excavator, and navigation continued to be challenge at low tide, especially in the mile-long approach channel to the Inlet. Nautical dredging equipment to be deployed next month will deepen the channel. An onshore staging area, made possible through a temporary construction easement agreement between DNREC and the South Bowers Volunteer Fire Company, will help facilitate the project. Dredging will be carried out by Cottrell Contracting Corp. of Chesapeake, Va., with almost a century-long record of Eastern Seaboard infrastructure dredging.
“Nourishing the South Bowers shoreline is a vitally important defense of the coastal community against extreme weather, an impact of climate change,” said Jesse Hayden, DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section administrator. “The beach-quality sand from this latest dredging project will be used to extend the area of an earlier beach replenishment project that also utilized dredged sand from the Murderkill’s navigation channel.”
With the project expected to start on or about Aug. 1, the U.S. Coast Guard soon will give notice for mariners to exercise caution and maintain safe distance from the dredging activity – to include floating and submerged pipelines in the Murderkill, and the dredge and support vessels in the area. The USCG also advises that commercial fishing nets, crab pots and other structures removed from the dredging area before work begins.
About DNREC The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
Related Topics: beach replenishment, climate change, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Dredging, Murderkill River, outdoor and recreation, US Army Corps of Engineers
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Watershed Stewardship | News | Office of the Secretary | Date Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
The Murderkill River, shown here where it meets the Delaware Bay at Bowers, will be dredged in August to improve navigation for commercial and recreational vessels. DNREC photo.
An emergency dredging project is set to begin and be completed by the end of August to restore navigability in the Murderkill River, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Permitted by and with modification approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DNREC regulators, the project calls for removing approximately 52,000 cubic yards of sediment from the river’s navigation channel. DNREC will then make beneficial reuse of the dredged sand to nourish up to 1,000 feet of eroding shoreline at South Bowers Beach.
Funding for the $2.3 million project comes from appropriations to DNREC made under fiscal year 2022 and 2023 Bond Bills, both of which named the Murderkill River as a dredging priority.
“This important state-funded dredging project in the Murderkill River will restore navigability of the channel while bolstering shoreline resiliency in South Bowers,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “It’s a win-win in two critical DNREC areas of responsibility: navigable waterways and infrastructure support. Thanks to our partners – the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the town of Bowers and the South Bowers Volunteer Fire Company – for working with us to bring a much-needed dredging project to fruition.”
U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure this project could begin.
“After working to secure the necessary federal permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, I’m so glad that this project will now be able to begin and restore the Murderkill River to its full potential,” said Senator Carper. “In the Senate, I’m leading the effort to pass bipartisan legislation that would support navigability in our waters for years to come. Enacting this legislation will ensure towns across our state can better access the help they need to maintain their infrastructure.”
The Murderkill River is a federally-authorized navigation project that requires periodic dredging to maintain the safety and navigable access to the river, critically important to commercial and emergency vessels as well as recreational boating. The river forms the southern boundary of the Town of Bowers – a popular boating area with its docks, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife-owned boat launch and large parking area – before flowing into the Delaware Bay.
In early 2022, DNREC removed sand from the Murderkill Inlet’s navigation channel but was limited by having to use a land-based excavator, and navigation continued to be challenge at low tide, especially in the mile-long approach channel to the Inlet. Nautical dredging equipment to be deployed next month will deepen the channel. An onshore staging area, made possible through a temporary construction easement agreement between DNREC and the South Bowers Volunteer Fire Company, will help facilitate the project. Dredging will be carried out by Cottrell Contracting Corp. of Chesapeake, Va., with almost a century-long record of Eastern Seaboard infrastructure dredging.
“Nourishing the South Bowers shoreline is a vitally important defense of the coastal community against extreme weather, an impact of climate change,” said Jesse Hayden, DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section administrator. “The beach-quality sand from this latest dredging project will be used to extend the area of an earlier beach replenishment project that also utilized dredged sand from the Murderkill’s navigation channel.”
With the project expected to start on or about Aug. 1, the U.S. Coast Guard soon will give notice for mariners to exercise caution and maintain safe distance from the dredging activity – to include floating and submerged pipelines in the Murderkill, and the dredge and support vessels in the area. The USCG also advises that commercial fishing nets, crab pots and other structures removed from the dredging area before work begins.
About DNREC The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
Related Topics: beach replenishment, climate change, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Dredging, Murderkill River, outdoor and recreation, US Army Corps of Engineers
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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