1969 EFFORT TO SAVE THE DUNES

HISTORY OF CAPE HENLOPEN AND BEYOND

1969

SAVE THE DUNES

Delaware State Representative, George R. Quillen, Republican of Harrington, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has said the committee is waiting for an 'opinion' from the Delaware Attorney General on how to prevent the public from removing sand off the Cape Henlopen dunes. The matter had been brought to his attention by John Stenger, Lewes High School science teacher who has spent the past two years in an effort to protect the 'living dunes”, as they are called by many Cape Henlopen area natives. The call is to have legislation passed that brings the dunes under the jurisdiction of a State Agency of Recreation or Conservation like the State Park Commission or the State Forestry Commission.

The National Geographic Magazine has called the “dunes” of Cape Henlopen the great wonder of the Atlantic Coast, and meet visitors as they arrive on the Cape May -Lewes Ferry. Lewes town officials have allowed contractors to haul sand off the dunes and use for construction. Also interested is Delaware State Representative Robert M. Dodge, of Rehoboth, Republican, and is to discuss the matter with Lewes Mayor Al Stango as whatever is done should be done with approval from Lewes.

Stenger has said he will never cease the fight to save the dunes from ravage has taken his fight plans to The U. S, Secretary of Interior, Stewart Udall, Governor Charles Terry, and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson.

The National Geographic Magazine article described the Cape Henlopen dunes as a haven for highly specialized forms of life, are themselves alive and moving, born of the eroding coast, driven by winds and creep inland five to fifteen feet each year.

Abstract: Ted Miller, Sussex Bureau, Wilmington Morning News, Friday, May 9, 1969.