Several issues are plaguing DNREC 

With a new governor taking office in 2025, there will surely be shakeups in many state agencies.

One such agency is the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, which has had a difficult few weeks in the wake of a second dune breach north of the Indian River Inlet bridge this year. 

The department is playing catch-up with much-needed repairs at the inlet. It has known for years that the north-side beach is receding, and with a critical sand bypass system that pumps excess sand from the south side to the north side offline for the last several years, there was no mechanism in place to protect Route 1 from the Atlantic Ocean. 

It’s finally all come to a head, with Gov. John Carney committing $15 million and Delaware’s federal delegation, specifically retiring Sen. Tom Carper, pledging an additional $10 million to expedite a project that will replenish the beach with 800,000 cubic yards of sand – significantly more than what was pumped in a recent nourishment project in Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach – and add steel sheet piles along Route 1 to prevent flooding. 

Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, has long been critical of the state’s slow response to an obvious problem, and we agree. This issue should have been handled a long time ago. 

Another controversial issue plaguing DNREC is its proposal to force local municipalities to contribute funds toward beach replenishment projects. DNREC leadership claims the existing funding model, in which the federal government pays for 65% of the project and the state pays the other 35%, isn’t financially sustainable. DNREC is proposing the beach and bay towns, as well as county governments, pay 50% to 75% of the state’s portion. The pitch has obviously been met with opposition from local leaders who say the beach is owned and maintained by the state, and it should stay that way. Also, Sen. Tom Carper has said the funding may soon change to 80% federal, 20% local. 

Given the uncertainty of federal funding levels and the promise of a new administration moving into the governor’s office this January, this is not the best time for DNREC to attempt such a substantial change. This issue should wait until 2025.