NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
May 29, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 247
For more information contact Robert Newsome, Site Investigation and Remediation Branch, 302-395-2600, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. PHOTOS AVAILABLE.
DNREC and Habitat For Humanity Partner on Building Safer Communities
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control proudly participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held today by Habitat for Humanity for its new Greenbridge housing site in Wilmington.
DNREC’s role in the construction project was to address environmental issues to ensure the site was safe for families to move into their new residences. Using funding from the Hazardous Site Cleanup Account, DNREC conducted a site investigation and cleanup of residual contamination – primarily oil and petroleum. The historic use of the site was auto salvage, storage and repair.
“Habitat for Humanity is perhaps our most valued partner in Brownfields development, and meets all of our preference criteria for funding cleanup projects,” said James D. Werner, DNREC Director of the Division of Air and Waste Management.
DNREC conducts site cleanups throughout the state. Sometimes known as “Brownfields” cleanups, the program involves efforts by both DNREC Site Investigation and Remediation Branch and the Tank Management Branch, which addresses petroleum and other leaks.
These cleanup programs are part of DNREC’s primary mission of protecting human health and the environment. They are also an important element of DNREC’s contribution to smart growth, with the goals of making Delaware more livable, and encouraging communities that are better suited to walking, biking and transit as transportation.
“By cleaning up these urban sites, we not only remove environmental hazards, we are part of a critically important team rebuilding communities, and we are doing this where there is existing infrastructure, saving tax money. We are also helping reduce air pollution by facilitating less reliance on the automobile as the sole option for transportation to work, shopping and school,” added Werner.
