DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announces
upcoming project to build new Cedar Creek Boat Ramp 

DOVER (Aug. 15, 2011) – The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is awaiting final federal funding approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to begin the construction process on a new boat ramp at Cedar Creek near Milford. Once approved, the project will go out for bids, with work possibly beginning in the fall.

Like the recently completed Lewes Boat Ramp, the new Cedar Creek facility has been designed following national standards and guidelines developed by the States Organization for Boating Access. The facility will have eight 16-foot wide concrete launch lanes with a deep V groove finish; five full-floatation boarding docks and one full-floatation courtesy dock, all in low-maintenance aluminum; a lighted parking area with 184 spaces, including 141 car/trailer spaces, 10 single car spaces, nine handicapped spaces, seven staging spaces and six spaces reserved for enforcement/fire rescue/emergency vehicles.

Funding for the project consists of 75 percent federal Sport Fish Restoration funds allocated by the USFWS and 25 percent state matching funds from fishing and boating license fees.

Due to liability considerations, the entire Cedar Creek site will be closed to the public for the duration of the construction project. Signs will be erected on site, news releases will be issued and regular website updates will be posted to keep the public informed of progress. The time frame for the project is estimated at approximately 180 days.

“We know this project will have an impact on fishing access, and we regret any inconvenience to the public. However, when completed this new facility will provide greatly improved access for many years to come,” said Project Manager Lacy Nichols. “We looked at doing the construction in phases so we could keep part of the ramp and parking lot open during the project, but the additional cost was prohibitive – $400,000 or more – and we need to be cost-conscious in managing the project in order to make best use of our available funding,” Nichols added.

Timing for the project is governed by two primary considerations:

1.       Weather – The ideal period with the lowest potential for weather delays would have been July through December. However, working from September-October through March will still allow enough time to complete the project for the spring fishing season.

2.       Federal permit restrictions prohibit in-water construction activities in Cedar Creek from March through June 30.

The existing facility, which is one of the busiest boat launch locations in the state, has exceeded its useful lifespan, Nichols added, with the 6-lane portion built in the early 1970s and the original 2-lane launch area even older. The facility was repaired in the early 1990s and is now due for a full replacement. The new facility will feature slightly wider lanes, more stable full-floatation docks and improved lighting.

Two alternate water access areas suggested for anglers and boaters during Cedar Creek’s construction closure are nearby Bowers Beach, which has four launch lanes and ample parking, and the Lewes Boat Ramp, a new six-lane facility completed in 2009 and located at the end of Pilottown Road in Lewes.

For updates on the Cedar Creek Boat Ramp project, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries/Pages/Fishing-Boating-Access.aspx .

Vol. 41, No. 317