The following letter was sent to DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin with a copy provided to the Cape Gazette for publication.
This letter is to provide comment to DNREC that it is both in the public’s interest and a written meritorious objection to the NV Homes/Osprey Point LLC request for an Arnell Creek commercial marina, which will cause permanent harm, and must be rejected by DNREC. If not immediately rejected, there should be a public hearing after generous advance notice to the public and directly to the surrounding communities. There is no valid emergency or hardship basis for DNREC to rush approval of the request.
Arnell Creek and its surrounding wetlands and watershed are teeming with wildlife. The area serves as a source for Rehoboth Bay crabs and feeder fish, and as a nesting area for osprey and many other local and migratory birds. These natural resources are recreationally enjoyed for kayaking, paddleboarding and bird watching. A marina will bring excessive boat and Jet Ski traffic to the sensitive wetlands, and oil, gasoline and trash pollution from those watercraft. There will be noise, water wakes and churning with disruption of the creek bed, burying fragile habitats. A commercial marina will create a bottleneck for marine life such as crabs that begin life along Arnell Creek, journey into Rehoboth Bay, and then must return to start the cycle over. Motorized watercraft traffic also represents a safety hazard, blocking safe access to and from Arnell Creek for kayakers and paddleboarders. Boating recreation, both motorized and non-motorized, is a valuable and important use of natural resources; Rehoboth Bay and Indian River are suitable and safe locations for commercial marinas.
The above should be sufficient for DNREC rejection of the proposed commercial marina. DNREC cannot put blinders on to the circumstances and consequences of permitting this commercial marina. The Osprey Point community was granted zoning for residential development after a comprehensive evaluation. The developers are now seeking to rezone, expand and carve out a spot commercial zoning in a residential area for a commercial entertainment venture. Along with the DNREC commercial marina facility, Osprey Point LLC is also planning a restaurant and entertainment venue with a restaurant bar, an outdoor tiki bar, an outdoor swimming pool bar and a deck/boardwalk and beach, all where seating and consumption of alcohol is intended.
The proposed marina will not be minor for Arnell Creek and the surrounding wetlands. Boats and Jet Skis will be pulling up and leaving after brief visits, resulting in Arnell Creek watercraft traffic vastly greater than would be projected for a minor marina where boats are stored and serviced for owners, except for day trips. The marina will serve as a boat-in parking lot and a means for boaters to obtain and consume alcohol, creating a dangerous boating safety hazard. Boats will anchor in Arnell Creek in this party area creating more congestion. All of this will cause permanent harm in a residential, wetlands, watershed area.
Whatever DNREC regulations pertain to the permits being sought must not be interpreted to allow the request. The request thwarts responsible stewardship, conservation and preservation of natural resources for all of Delaware and for future generations. The request must be rejected.
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