BRIDGEVILLE, DEL. -
Jul 20, 2009
Gov. Jack Markell said Monday he will veto House Bill 201, which would have repealed Delaware's placement of a 5-cent deposit on beverage containers.
"Delaware is quickly earning a reputation as a leader in environmental issues like alternative energy and climate prosperity, in part, because we recognize the connection between the health of our economy and the health of our environment," Markell said. "This bill as written, without additional consumer protections or a plan to improve our recycling rate, does not move us forward. I am hopeful that by working cooperatively with many interested participants, we can, in fact, move forward."
The full text of the veto message follows:
"House Bill 201 repeals Delaware's "Bottle Bill," which can be found in Subchapter III, Chapter 60, Title 7 of the Delaware Code. I have considered this legislation in detail and I have met and discussed the issues related to this legislation with retailers, distributors, environmentalists, legislators, members of my cabinet and my staff. Pursuant to Article III, Section 18 of the Delaware Constitution and only after careful consideration, I am returning House Bill 201 to the Delaware House of Representatives without my signature.
By way of background, Delaware's Bottle Bill was enacted in 1982 and places a five-cent refund value on beverage bottles returned. The purpose was to reduce littering by encouraging the return, reuse and recycling of beverage bottles, and to reduce utilization of our landfills. It can be fairly said that Delaware's Bottle Bill has contributed to a reduction in litter alongside our roadways and parks, as well as reduced landfill usage. Indeed, some estimate that one-third of glass bottles are returned to retailers for recycling. House Bill 201 eliminates this initiative in its entirety, without any proposed alternative.
While the Bottle Bill does help reduce litter and promote recycling, the problems with this 29 year old initiative are notable. The use of plastic bottles in lieu of glass has grown significantly, but very few plastic bottles are returned. Cans are no longer included within the law's scope and the program is otherwise cumbersome and costly to administer for retailers. There is also very little accountability in this program, so its effectiveness is difficult to measure. If one assumes a 30% return rate for glass bottles, this equates to 70% of the deposits being collected not being returned to consumers. In the end, consumers are paying for a recycling initiative that is not very effective.
Importantly, there is nothing in House Bill 201 that prohibits distributors from continuing to charge five additional cents, or increasing their prices to offset any loss of bottle deposits they have become accustomed to keeping. Indeed, the legislation does not even provide a mechanism for consumers to recover their deposits on bottles purchased prior to the effective date of the repeal. While paying for an ineffective recycling initiative is bad, continuing to pay, after the program is abolished, is even worse.
There is widespread recognition that Delaware's recycling rate is too low and there have been various recycling initiatives proposed over the years. While proponents of House Bill 201, under the leadership of Representative John J. Viola, deserve significant credit for calling attention to the inadequacies of our current Bottle Bill, I believe we need to review this issue in a larger context that takes into consideration the environment, the industry and Delaware taxpayers. Although I am sympathetic to those who argue that the current Bottle Bill system is broken, I am committed to doing what I can to ensure that we replace it with something better.
To that end, I have directed Secretary Collin O'Mara of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Alan Levin, the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, to work with Representative Viola, other members of the General Assembly, beverage distributors and retailers, and the environmental community to comprehensively examine how beverage bottles are distributed, sold, returned and recycled. My hope is that we can propose a workable solution when the General Assembly returns in January, 2010.
This hope is bolstered by my recent meetings with beverage distributors, retailers and environmentalists, as I have heard good faith commitments to improve our current recycling efforts, based on best practices around the country and around the world. We should capitalize on this shared commitment to develop alternatives to the current Bottle Bill that will further promote waste diversion and recycling efforts in Delaware, while being fair to Delaware taxpayers.
In closing, Delaware is quickly earning a reputation as a leader in environmental issues like alternative energy and climate prosperity, in part, because we recognize the connection between the health of our economy and the health of our environment. This bill as written, without additional consumer protections or a plan to improve our recycling rate, does not move us forward. I am hopeful that by working cooperatively with many interested participants, we can, in fact, move forward.
For these reasons, I must veto House Bill 201 and return it to the House of Representatives without my signature."
- Source: Sussex Countian
News from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
NEWS OF THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 2, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 250
For more information contact Jeffrey Tinsman, Fisheries Section, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-4782; or Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
39 More Subway Cars Sunk at Redbird Reef
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife's Artificial Reef Program today oversaw the sinking of another 39 New York City subway cars at Delaware's largest and most popular artificial reef, Redbird Reef.
The subway cars were sunk to expand the capacity of the reef, enhance fisheries habitat, and increase fishing and diving opportunities for thousands of recreational anglers and divers who visit the site each year.
With the total surface area of the cars at more than 2.5 million square feet, Redbird Reef supports a marine life community up to 400 times richer than the natural bottom. In the Mid-Atlantic region, the ocean bottom is usually featureless sand or mud. Subway cars make ideal reef material, because voids and cavities in its structure provide the perfect sanctuary for reef fish. Within a few weeks, blue mussels, sponges, barnacles and soft corals attach to the structure, and in about a year, the reef will be fully productive, resembling natural habitat.
"The continued development of Redbird Reef supplies literally tons of ideal food for reef fish," said Jeffrey Tinsman, reef program manager with DNREC's Fisheries Section. "Each addition of subway cars increases the reef's capacity to support, for example, black sea bass and tautog populations."
Today's operation was carried out by the marine transportation division of Weeks Marine, Inc., a worldwide towing and barge operator contracted by MTA New York City Transit, which also completed the car cleanup to remove all greases and buoyant materials that might be harmful to the marine environment. The operation was funded by MTA New York City Transit. DNREC's role was to oversee the placement of the subway cars at the reef.
The addition of 39 subway cars brings the total number of sunken subway cars on Redbird Reef to 973. Although the artificial reef was created in 1997, the first subway car sinking at the reef occurred in August of 2001, when 27 cars were sunk. The most recent sinking at Redbird Reef was in April of this year, when 44 subway cars were sunk.
Redbird Reef is now more than 1.3 square nautical miles of ocean bottom located 16 nautical miles off the coast of the Indian River Inlet. Since the reef was first created, a variety of materials have been deployed at the site including the subway cars, 11 large vessels - including decommissioned barges, commercial vessels and tugboats, 86 armored military vehicles and 6,000 tons of ballasted truck tire units. The reef now supports more than 13,000 angler visits per year, up from fewer than 300 in 1997.
Delaware has 14 permitted artificial reef sites in the Delaware Bay and coastal waters, with five of these sites located in federal (ocean) waters. Development of the sites began in 1995 as part of a comprehensive fisheries management effort by the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Delaware Reef Program.
For more information, visit http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/ArtificialReefProgram.aspx or contact Jeff Tinsman, Delaware Reef Program administrator, at 302-739-4782.
News from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
May 21, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 234
Contact: Debbie Rouse, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9939; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
This press release is being reissued to correct the phone number for DNREC's 24-hour Beach Hotline to 1-800-922-WAVE. We apologize for the error.
DNREC Begins Recreational Water Quality Testing to Protect Public Health
DNREC Awarded $208,000 EPA Grant for Monitoring Efforts
DNREC's Division of Water Resources will begin its water quality testing of Delaware's guarded swimming beaches and nine freshwater ponds this week and continue through the third week in September. In addition, the Division will conduct routine sampling and testing at sites throughout the Inland Bays, at public boat ramps and other locations.
This spring DNREC was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant of almost $208,000 for Delaware's water quality monitoring and public notification program.
According to Debbie Rouse, environmental scientist with DNREC's recreational water testing program, the funds will increase testing efforts at locations from Slaughter Beach to the Maryland state line. "Through this testing, we can help ensure the safety of individuals and notify residents of any risks that may arise," said Rouse.
DNREC's recreational water testing program is part of the agency's longstanding commitment to analyze water quality at Delaware beaches and ponds, inform the public of results and protect public health.
Guarded swimming beaches will be sampled and laboratory tested twice weekly for bacteria levels and the results, including swimming advisories, if necessary, will be posted within 24 hours on DNREC's website. In addition, advisories will be available by calling DNREC's toll-free, 24-hour "Beach Hotline" at 1-800-922-WAVE. This week's testing results will be posted in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
For safety reasons, the Department recommends swimming only at guarded beaches.
DNREC's Division of Water Resources Watershed Assessment Section was awarded the 2009 EPA grant from the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Program. The funds will help DNREC meet the goals of protecting public health and the environment through: strengthening beach standards and testing; providing faster laboratory test methods; predicting pollution; investing in health and methods research; and informing the public.
To follow Delaware's Beach Monitoring information this summer, visit DNREC's website.
News from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
April 24, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 182
For more information contact Jeffrey Tinsman, Fisheries Section, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-4782; or Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
44 More Subway Cars Sunk at Redbird Reef
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife's Artificial Reef Program today oversaw the sinking of another 44 New York City subway cars at Delaware's largest and most popular artificial reef, Redbird Reef.
"The 44 new subway cars are a valuable addition to Redbird Reef," said Jeffrey Tinsman, reef program manager with DNREC's Fisheries Section. "The more extensive we can make our reef, the more opportunity we create for greater and more diverse fish and sea life as well as for providing greater fishing opportunities for anglers.&
The subway cars were sunk to expand the capacity of the reef, enhance fisheries habitat, and increase fishing and diving opportunities for thousands of recreational anglers and divers who visit the site each year.
The operation was carried out by the marine transportation division of Weeks Marine, Inc., a worldwide towing and barge operator contracted by MTA New York City Transit, which also completed the car cleanup to remove all greases and buoyant materials that might be harmful to the marine environment. The operation was funded by MTA New York City Transit. DNREC's role was to oversee the placement of the subway cars at the reef.
Each stainless steel subway car is 60 feet long. According to Tinsman, one barge carried all 44 cars stacked two-high from New Jersey, and "a large excavator with forklift-like tongs lifted each 18-ton car and set it overboard."
The addition of 44 subway cars brings the total number of sunken subway cars on Redbird Reef to 934. Although the artificial reef was created in 1997, the first subway car sinking at the reef occurred in August of 2001, when 27 cars were sunk. The most recent sinking at Redbird Reef was in March of this year, when 44 cars were sunk.
Redbird Reef is now more than 1.3 square nautical miles of ocean bottom located 16 nautical miles off the coast of the Indian River Inlet. Since the reef was first created, a variety of materials have been deployed at the site including 890 subway cars, 11 large vessels - including decommissioned barges, commercial vessels and tugboats, 86 armored military vehicles and 6,000 tons of ballasted truck tire units. The reef now supports more than 13,000 angler visits per year, up from fewer than 300 in 1997.
Reef construction is especially important in the Mid-Atlantic region, where the ocean bottom is usually featureless sand or mud. Subway cars make ideal reef material, because voids and cavities in its structure provide the perfect sanctuary for reef fish. Within a few weeks, blue mussels, sponges, barnacles and soft corals attach to the structure, and in about a year, the reef will be fully productive, resembling natural habitat.
Delaware has 14 permitted artificial reef sites in the Delaware Bay and coastal waters, with five of these sites located in federal (ocean) waters. Development of the sites began in 1995 as part of a comprehensive fisheries management effort by the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Delaware Reef Program.
For more information, visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/ArtificialReefProgram.aspx or contact Jeff Tinsman, Delaware Reef Program administrator, at 302-739-4782.
News from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
March 25, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 111
For more information, contact Jennifer Wheatley, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, 302-739-9921; or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
More than 900 Volunteers Join DNREC to Plant 150,000 Stems of Beach Grass in Annual Event Held March 21
On Saturday, March 21, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control staff and more than 900 volunteers arrived at Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay public beaches to help plant Cape American Beach Grass on the dunes. In the sunny but chilly weather, 150,000 stems of grass were planted over four miles of coastline between Bethany Beach and Kitts Hummock Beach.
Each year in the early spring since 1990, many dedicated volunteers have stabilized Delaware's sand dunes by planting more than 5 million stems of Cape American Beach Grass on Delaware's ocean and bay beaches.
Beach grass helps to build and stabilize dunes by trapping wind blown sand. As the beach grass traps sand, it builds the dunes higher and wider, which makes it more protective of the structures behind it. Sand dunes provide protection against damaging coastal storms by absorbing wave energy. They also act as major sand storage areas which replenish sand to eroded beaches during storm events. Without sand dunes, storm waves rush inland and flood properties.
"We would like to extend a great thanks to the many volunteers and DNREC employees who have taken the time out of their weekends to help plant the dunes and have made this event a huge success," said Jennifer Wheatley, event coordinator. "We would also like to thank the Town of Bethany Beach, Town of Slaughter Beach, the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association and the Broadkill Beach Preservation Association, for planting areas within their towns and communities and providing refreshments for volunteers," she added.
Wheatley also recognized the following groups and organizations for their contributions to the event:
- Delaware Mobile Surf Fisherman for assisting DNREC with volunteers and providing refreshments at Delaware Seashore and Cape Henlopen state parks.
- Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation for providing snacks for the volunteers at the Indian River Life Saving Station site.
- Cape Shores Homeowners Association and the Town of Dewey Beach for opening restroom facilities.
- Pepsi Co., Wawa and Super G Food and Drug for donating beverages.
View Photos Provided by Delaware Chapter Members |
Executive committee:
Chair: Melissa Dombrowski
Vice Chair: Jim Bourke
Water Quality & Environmental Issues: Bill Winkler Sr.
Secretary: Andy Benson
Volunteer Coordinator: Kyle Howard
PR Coordinator: Russ Merritt
Webmaster: Reed Dibeler |
Citizen Monitoring Program Reports for 2009
|
|
|
|
DE Chapter, Surfrider Foundation Cleans Indian River Beach (north side)
It was a great morning for the Indian River Cleanup. Eleven workers volunteered to help clean the parking lot, the inlet area, and the beach north of the four wheel drive section.
Large amounts of trash, a lot of butts, and enough fishing line to spool a reel were collected from the beach. We received a few "thank you's" from the fishermen and beach goer's along the way.
Thanks to Doug Long and the Division of Parks and Recreation for their assistance.
THANKS TO ALL WHO GAVE THEIR TIME!!!!! |
|
|