Category: ENVIRONMENT

The Point at Cape Henlopen Oceanside Beach Reopens

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen a stretch of oceanside beach at The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Point’s bayside beach will remain closed until Thursday, Oct.1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The Point has closed annually since 1993 every March for the benefit of threatened and endangered beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds, including piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns, red knots and other species before it reopens in the late summer-early fall for beachgoers and anglers.

The DNREC Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to increase beach-nester and migratory shorebird populations. Closing The Point to park visitors provides an area of undisturbed beach and intertidal habitat for a host of shorebirds, gulls, terns and other waterbirds to rest and feed after the breeding season, one of only three in the state.

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Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve to Host Research and Stewardship Symposium

In celebration of National Estuaries Week (Sept. 19 to 27), the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) will hold a two-day Research and Stewardship Symposium at the St. Jones and Blackbird Creek Reserves on Sept. 22 and 23. The symposium will showcase the Reserve’s mission of engaging people, applying science and protecting places.

“For those interested in learning about current research or habitat management projects, both symposium days will provide ample opportunities to view both and to engage with reserve staff,” said Lynne Pusey, DNERR training and engagement coordinator for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources (DNREC) Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy.

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180-Foot Fishing Vessel Added to Artificial Reef

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has once again expanded Delaware’s renowned artificial reef system, creating more marine habitat by sinking the Calcasieu Pass, an offshore oilfield supply vessel turned menhaden processing ship, onto Reef Site 13 following environmental remediation and approval. Also known as the Del-Jersey-Land Reef, the site is the centerpiece of the reef system – with its offshore location equidistant from ports in the three states that make up its name.

The Calcasieu Pass, 180 feet long with a 40-foot beam, will provide valuable habitat for aquatic life, along with angling and diving opportunities for outdoor recreationalists. Originally built in 1982 as an offshore supply vessel, later joining the East Coast menhaden fleet, the ship’s final repurposing is expected to buoy both economic and environmental opportunity for Delaware.

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NJ, Feds Sue Commission to Protect Drinking Water From Contamination

 Federal and state authorities sued the Passaic Valley Water Commission on Aug. 12, 2026, accusing the public water system of longstanding noncompliance for failing to cover three reservoirs that provide drinking water to about 800,000 people. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

By Dana DiFilippo

The state and the feds have teamed up to compel a North Jersey water system to cover three reservoirs that provide drinking water to nearly a million people.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office accuse the Passaic Valley Water Commission in a new federal lawsuit of violating the Safe Drinking Water Act by failing to properly protect and treat water from the Great Notch Reservoir, Levine Reservoir, and New Street Reservoir to ensure it’s free of pathogens and safe to consume.

The public water system serves about 800,000 people in Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Prospect Park, Lodi, North Arlington, and Woodland Park, and 22 wholesale customers (municipalities and independent water companies) in Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties.

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Philadelphia Zoo Announces End-of-Summer Spectacular 

The Zoo’s Calendar is Packed with Wild Celebrations to Close Out Summer 2026

Philadelphia, PA –Philadelphia Zoo announces its jam packed calendar of events to end the summer of America’s 250th anniversary at America’s First Zoo. Philadelphia Zoo’s End-of-Summer Spectacular runs Tuesday, August 18 through Sunday, September 13 with select events happening over the four weeks. Specialty events include a visit from a viral musician seen by millions online playing music for animals with his signature pink guitar; the return of the region’s wildest beer festival featuring 60+ breweries, distilleries and more; a chance to explore the Zoo and see what the animals are up to after hours; a new art festival with 30+ vendors inspired by the natural world; a  picnic with Mama and Papa Bear of the Berenstain Bears plus a chance to take a favorite teddy bear for a checkup; and the chance to see more than 100 truly wild rides. Tickets to each event supports the Zoo’s mission to flourish as an urban oasis where people and animals thrive, transformative memories are made, and passion for conservation helps save wildlife. Tickets available exclusively on the Zoo’s website, philadelphiazoo dot org. Philadelphia Zoo is located at the corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia’s historic Fairmount Park at 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

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Air Quality Alert until 12:00AM Monday

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Sunday for Ocean County and southeastern Burlington County New Jersey. A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children…people suffering from asthma… heart disease or other lung diseases…and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles…visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/

* AFFECTED AREAS: OCEAN … COASTAL OCEAN … SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON

2026 DNREC Photo Contest Winners Unveiled

Winners of the second DNREC Photo Contest were announced during Governor’s Day (July 30) at the Delaware State Fair. Left to right as shown above are contest winners and the categories for which they were cited: Vicente Pineda, People Enjoying Nature; Bill Cheadle, Watersheds: Landscapes and Waterways; Emma Serbinski, Youth; and Fred Waski, Hunting and Fishing. /Delaware DNREC photo

Winners of the 2026 DNREC Photo Contest gathered at the Delaware State Fair today to be honored by Governor Matt Meyer and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.  This year – the second for the annual contest – DNREC encouraged photographers of all ages and skills levels to submit eye-catching images they had taken of the natural world in Delaware spanning five categories: People Enjoying Nature, Watersheds: Landscapes and Waterways, Wildlife and Aquatic Life, Hunting and Fishing, and Youth Entries.

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Joint Media Release From Gloucester County OEM: Grenloch Lake Investigation

On Thursday, July 30, 2026,  a complaint was filed to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regarding a substance on Grenloch Lake in Washington Township, Gloucester County that was white and filmy in appearance. Officials from Gloucester County HazMat Response Unit, within the Office of Emergency Management, responded to investigate along with Washington Twp. Fire Department. The substance on the lake was discovered as described in the complaint to NJDEP. Through the investigation, it was later discovered that an accidental discharge of an ABC dry chemical fire extinguishing agent took place at the New Jersey Transit Bus Garage on SR42 (Black Horse Pike) which entered a nearby waterway, and later collected in a southern section of Grenloch Lake.

Officials on scene coordinated with NJDEP – Bureau of Emergency Response and environmental officials of NJ Transit during the investigation. Less than 25lbs of this low toxicity extinguishing agent was released during the incident, which is anticipated to have a minimal impact to aquatic life.

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DNREC to Host Introduction to Living Shorelines Training

Participants in a two-day Introduction to Living Shorelines training event (Sept. 22 and 23) offered by DNREC will make field trips to existing projects/Delaware DNREC photo

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a two-day training event Tuesday Sept. 22 and Wednesday Sept. 23 for anyone interested in an introduction to the development process and components of living shorelines in Delaware. Presented in conjunction with the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee, the in-person training event will be held at the DNREC Field Office on Pilottown Road in Lewes, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m. each day.

The training focuses on the ecology behind living shorelines and implementing projects based on specific goals. On day one of the training, participants will learn about the causes and kinds of shoreline issues, define the types of living shoreline solutions, and become acquainted with the plants and animals comprising and living in shoreline habitats. Day two of the training will span techniques and applications, an introduction to living shoreline materials, designing for specific goals and a review of project permitting.

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EPA Proposes Arsenic Cleanup at Vineland Chemical Site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing an interim cleanup plan to address arsenic contamination remaining beneath the surface at the Vineland Chemical Superfund site in Vineland, New Jersey. The proposed plan focuses on arsenic-contaminated saturated soil, which is soil below the groundwater table, that continues to act as a source of contamination to groundwater, sediment, and nearby floodplain areas.

“To protect human health and the environment, EPA is taking an important step to keep arsenic from spreading,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “EPA’s proposed plan targets a remaining source of arsenic contamination at the Vineland Chemical site and builds on years of cleanup work already completed.”
 

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