Pine Haven residents pleading for help

Residents of the Pine Haven manufactured home and camping park near Milford appeared before Sussex County Council Jan. 3 pleading for help.

However, they were told without creation of a water or sewer district, the county can't address their issues.

Residents said they are the end of their rope trying to resolve ongoing water, sewer and electric issues, some of which have plagued the community for years.

They also claim that the new owners have other plans for the park and want residents out over the next three years. The park has been in existence for decades, and includes a mixture of RVs and manufactured homes.

Residents said the immediate need is safe drinking water. They claim people are getting sick and getting rashes because of the water. Some donations of bottled water have been made to the community, but it's not enough, residents said.

“The water is so contaminated you can't drink or bathe in it,” Linda Lucido told council members. “And they tell us the water is safe. We don't have a sewer system. We have cesspools that are outdated and can't be fixed. DNREC has refused to come out. We need someone to take a serious look because this is not going away.”

Residents said the park has recently been sold to Blue Water Development Co. with plans to convert the property into a water park.

Pine Haven is located adjacent to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park-Delaware, which is owned by Blue Water Development.

Resident Joy Kaiser, who does not have running water in her home because of a broken pipe, said, “We are ignored just like we don't exist. I had a 90-year-old couple crying in my home because they don't know where to go. You are one of our last resorts.”

“We are getting a push-out feeling at the park. We are trying to find places to take us in, but it's not possible,” she added.

In addition, she said, most of the homes are older and can't be moved.

Mike Murphy, who has a long background in wastewater management, said the cesspools are supposed to be pumped out and the effluent hauled away at regular intervals. “Where are the records of that?” he asked. “People have seen 200-gallon tanks being dumped on the back of the property on dry land that feeds into Cedar Creek,” he said.

“Where is DNREC?” he asked. “This is not a third-world country.”

Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Lincoln, also addressed council. “This community has a serious problem that needs to be addressed, and we need to do something today,” he told council. “DNREC has said they are not interested. Well, I'm very concerned and interested. I've seen electric lines laying on top of the ground in water. It's not safe.”

He also said there are no state funds for relocation of the residents.

He said he would put pressure on DNREC officials to take a serious look at the issues in the community and urged council to do the same thing. “Right now, nobody is coming to the plate to help them,” he said.

DNREC spokesman Michael Globetti said, “DNREC is aware of the environmental issues at the Pine Haven campground community, and is investigating.”

District 2 Councilwoman Cindy Green said the county collected $4,000 in taxes over the year from the park. “We have some responsibility. They need help,” she said.

What can the county do?

Council President Mike Vincent asked county engineer Hans Medlarz what authority the county has to assist the community.

“We have none without creating a sewer or water district,” Medlarz answered. “At this time, it's a DNREC and board of health issue.”

Councilman John Rieley said residents claim the new owners have given them three years to vacate the community, adding that it would not be feasible to create either district within that time frame.

“The county really has no other option than a sewer or water district. I do not see another path forward,” Medlarz said.

Purchased as a campground

Blue Water spokeswoman Nicole Faries provided the following statement: “Blue Beach Bungalow LLC purchased a seasonal campground from the prior owner. It was represented as a seasonal campground, and all the pre-purchase, due-diligence and inspection proved it was regulatory licensed and operated as a seasonal campground. The infrastructure is a seasonal campground. Blue Beach Bungalow is privately working with all licenses to help assist in any way it can.”