May 13, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 219

Contact David Carter, Delaware Coastal Programs, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, 302-739-9921; or Melanie Rapp or Melinda Carl, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC Receives $200,000 EPA Grant to Assess
Wetlands at Wilmington’s Southbridge Area 

A $200,000 Brownfields Assessment grant to investigate environmental contamination and plan wetland restoration efforts in Wilmington’s Southbridge area has been awarded to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant is key to the area’s restoration and redevelopment efforts to promote a vibrant, equitable and healthy community in South Wilmington.

Brownfields are sites with the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfield properties often require extensive cleanup and restoration before redevelopment or reuse of the site can take place.

“Redeveloping brownfields is a critical component of my climate prosperity strategy,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Cleaning up historically contaminated sites will help us create jobs to get Delawareans back to work and help us improve Delaware’s environment.”

DNREC will use the grant to assess any related human health and environmental impacts of  cleanup and restoration efforts for a 27-acre brownfields area known as the South Wilmington Wetlands. In addition the grant will be used to develop a cost effective mitigation plan that will provide economic, social and environmental benefits to the community.

“The greenest development is remediating existing brownfield sites in our cities,” said Mayor James M. Baker. “Projects like this clean up our environment, create jobs for local residents and spur investment in all parts of our city. I look forward to working with DNREC and EPA.”

Over many decades, the South Wilmington Wetlands have been filled with debris including incinerator ash and slag, extensively drained by a tide-gate system, and dominated by Phragmites australis, an invasive reed.  By restoring the wetlands, a path can be established from the existing Southbridge community to new communities, businesses and job opportunities.

Restoration will include a central green space and trail that will enable residents to walk to stores and services along the waterfront. In addition, the restored wetland will reduce flooding to homes and businesses, decrease combined sewer overflows into the Christina River, and improve the urban wetland ecology and wildlife in the area.

“Creating a sustainable environment and vibrant economy will require strong partnerships between all levels of government and leaders of our communities,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “This project is a perfect example of how a successful collaboration can lead to a program that will eventually bring economic and environmental benefits to the people of Southbridge.”

The grant supports the Southbridge community’s efforts undertaken through the South Wilmington Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). First initiated in 2005 by DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs in conjunction with the City of Wilmington, a diverse group of stakeholders have worked together to develop the SAMP – a sustainable plan to revitalize South Wilmington.

A group, which includes Wilmington City Council member Hanifa G.N. Shabazz, community leaders from the Southbridge Civic Association, Neighborhood House Inc., Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, and several local churches, businesses and residents, has been instrumental in developing the plan. Since its inception, a community-driven Neighborhood Plan and strategies have been initiated. The South Wilmington SAMP is being used as a model for riverfront community planning in other locations across the country.

 “The funding will go a long way to improve the community and ultimately help revitalize Southbridge,” said Marvin Thomas, president of the Southbridge Civic Association. “We look forward to working with DNREC and the City of Wilmington to continue to implement the Special Area Management Plan that will help our residents.”

DNREC has completed or managed cleanup and redevelopment of about 1,000 brownfields across the state. Sites range from large urban projects on the Wilmington Riverfront to affordable housing townhouse projects completed in cooperation with program partners. Through efforts with the Division of Public Health, cleanups have ensured safe drinking water for Delawareans in communities such as Millsboro and Dagsboro. On April 22, a 45-acre section of Fox Point State Park north of Wilmington was officially opened to the public after extensive remediation from decades of contamination from industrial waste and sewage sludge.

Brownfield redevelopment has enormous support in Delaware from all segments of the population – business, government, environmentalists, non-profits, and the general population. Past project partners have included: Habitat for Humanity; the West End Neighborhood House; the Ministry of Caring; Sunday Breakfast Mission; the Riverfront Development Corporation; and the cities of Dover, Blades, Laurel, Lewes, Milton and Wilmington. Historically, brownfields grants have been used to assist private and not-for-profit organizations in cleaning up contaminated sites.

For more information on the South Wilmington Special Area Management Plan and the South Wilmington Wetland grant, visit
http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000/Divisions/Soil/dcmp/WilmSAMP/SAMP.htm.