NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Feb. 20, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 59
Contact: Eric Buehl or E.J. Chalabala, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, 302-226-8105; M.Q. Riding, Conectiv, 302-451-5528; Melinda Carl or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Marsh Enhancement Project Underway at James Farm
Project Improves Habitat for Native Species
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - Construction on a 24-acre salt marsh enhancement project at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays’ (CIB) James Farm Ecological Preserve is underway after several years of monitoring, evaluation, planning and design. Located in Ocean View, Del., on the east side of Cedar Neck Road, the project is intended to return a more natural flow of water into the marsh by filling in grid ditches (aka mosquito control ditches) and creating more natural meandering tidal creeks, mudflats and pools.
This work will benefit the wide variety of birds, fish and other wildlife species that inhabit Delaware’s Inland Bays. “We are excited about the opportunity to participate in such a large-scale enhancement project at the James Farm,” said E.J. Chalabala, Wildlife Manager for CIB. “The pools and channels will provide habitat for fish and crabs, and feeding areas for wading birds, more like what a natural or unaltered marsh does.”
The CIB has been working closely with Conectiv Energy, ENTRIX, Inc., an environmental and natural resource management consulting firm, and Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and others to make this project a reality.
The James Farm marsh enhancement project is the final step in the natural resource damage assessment process to restore and compensate for environmental impacts resulting from a fuel oil release at the Indian River Power Plant (IRPP) owned at that time by Delmarva Power & Light Company (DP&L), into the Indian River Estuary that occurred in early 2000.
As a Natural Resource Trustee, DNREC is authorized by law to recover damages for injuries to natural resources resulting from the fuel oil release. DNREC’s Divisions of Air and Waste Management and Water Resources led the state’s effort, with technical assistance, including design review, provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The James Farm project site was proposed to DNREC several years ago by DP&L. Conectiv Energy, an affiliate of DP&L, which was created as a competitive energy generation provider with the deregulation of the utility industry in Delaware, provided expertise and assistance to DP&L in satisfying the obligation to clean up the spill and provide appropriate compensation. DP&L currently focuses on the transmission and distribution of electricity and does not generate electricity.
In 2007, the fringing salt marsh impacted by the release was restored, leading the way to implementing the James Farm project. This project site was selected for several reasons, including the continuing opportunity for Conectiv Energy to work with CIB, the project’s positive impact on the environment and community, and because this marsh and surrounding area would benefit from this kind of work.
Beyond the physical enhancements to the marshland, the project also includes educational components for the public such as signage that describes the restoration efforts and how this project will benefit the environment. “This project will serve the community for generations to come,” said E.J. Chalabala.
The construction portion of the project started in mid-January and will continue into late winter/early spring, depending on the weather. DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section, within its Division of Fish and Wildlife, is constructing the project, applying their specialized equipment and wealth of knowledge and experience working in sensitive wetland habitats.
Members of the community will begin to see re-growth in the marsh as early as this spring and summer. For safety reasons, the upland area near the project site will be closed until the project is completed. The observation platform on the east side of the James Farm remains open to the public. Information and updates will be posted on the kiosk at the James Farm parking lot and on the CIB Web site at www.inlandbays.org. For more information, contact Eric Buehl, Habitat Coordinator at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, at 302-226-8105.
The CIB, established as a nonprofit organization in 1994, manages the James Farm Ecological Preserve for Sussex County and is supporting the enhancement project efforts. The CIB is a non-profit organization working in four areas of mission; science and research, habitat protection and restoration, public policy, and education and outreach - to protect and restore the Delaware Inland Bays and its watershed.
