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Total plastic bag ban begins July 1

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Do you use reusable grocery store bags? Beginning July 1, you’ll have to choose between reusable and paper — and there won’t be any other options. Under Delaware’s 2019 plastic bag ban, stores were allowed to use the thicker 2.25 millimeter-thick plastic film bags, which were considered reusable under the law. Last June, the General Assembly enhanced the state’s plastic …

DE State Parks

Delaware State Parks on track to set visitation record

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

After breaking attendance records in 2021, Delaware State Parks is on pace to set another visitor attendance mark by the end of 2022, DNREC announced Friday. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation had 47,250 active annual passes that allow daily entry into Delaware State Parks compared with 61,744 in 2021, a 31% increase. …

a boat on a body of water

Offshore wind research to begin near DE Seashore State Park

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Visitors to Delaware Seashore State Park will see an increase in research activity in the coming months, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Monday. US Wind and Ørsted, two offshore wind energy development companies, will conduct research and collect data to determine the best paths forward for their offshore wind projects. Both companies plan to update and …

a close up of a lush green field

Earth Day celebrations offer new rain garden, salt marsh tour, more

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

    The Aquatic Resources Education Center on Saturday will host one-hour ‘Marsh Madness’ tours highlighting the tidal salt marsh to mark Earth Day. Photo courtesy of DNREC.   Delaware organizations are offering a variety of ways to celebrate Earth Day Friday and Saturday. New Castle County is inviting residents to participate in the installation Friday — which is Earth …

Copy of Taxes 2

Wells among concerns at first clean water committee hearing

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A new committee focused on improving water quality in Delaware offered a glimpse into some of the projects it hopes to tackle during the first of three public meetings Tuesday. The Delaware Clean Water Trust Oversight Committee has a broad list of objectives, including improving flood resilience, repairing failing sewer pipes, improving drinking water quality, removing pollution from Delaware’s waterways …

a close up of a pond

Delaware state parks receive national award for excellence

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Trap Pond State Park. Photo courtesy of DNREC. Delaware’s state parks have won a national award for excellence in park and recreation management. The recognition from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and National Recreation and Park Association is judged on long-range planning, resource management, innovation and fiscal responsibility. This marks the second time Delaware’s state parks received …

a pond next to a body of water

$80 million Clean Water Act sets up trust to direct cash into projects

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Wetlands in Sussex County. Photo by Joann Kingsley/Delaware Community Lens   A bipartisan bill aimed at addressing wastewater and drinking water issues in Delaware’s underserved communities was signed into law by Gov. John Carney Thursday after six years in the making. House Bill 200, the Clean Water for Delaware Act, creates a framework and funding source which lawmakers say will …