Contact:  Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Sen. Coons joins DNREC volunteers at Inland Bays Cleanup

MASSEY’S LANDING (June 25, 2011) – Delaware’s U.S. Senator Chris Coons will join DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara and more than 100 volunteers in the Seventh Annual Cleanup of the Inland Bays beginning at 9 a.m. today.

“Delaware’s beautiful Inland Bays provide recreation and enjoyment for thousands of Delawareans every summer,” said Sec. O'’Mara. “Through the focused attention of government and the tireless efforts of our dedicated volunteers and residents, we will protect this precious and fragile resource and improve the health of the Inland Bays.”

Sen. Coons and Sec. O’Mara will join the northern group of volunteers at the Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp at the end of Long Neck Road and concentrate on the Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay areas. The southern group of volunteers will meet at the Mulberry Landing Public Boat Ramp at the Assawoman Wildlife Area just southwest of Bethany Beach. A number of local businesses are donating money, food and equipment such as dumpsters.

Volunteers will include: personnel from the DNREC Divisions of Fish & Wildlife and Parks and Recreation; the Center for the Inland Bays; the Association of Fish, Wildlife & Boating volunteers; families; and community groups. Volunteers will be served lunch and receive commemorative t-shirts after the cleanup.  

Last year’s event drew 100 volunteers who collected a large quantity of debris, including soda bottles and cans, tires, derelict crab pots and large quantities of plastic. A large construction dumpster was donated and filled by the end of the day. 

The Inland Bays Cleanup is sponsored by: the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section; Delaware State Parks; the Center for the Inland Bays; and the Volunteer Association for Fish, Wildlife and Boating Enforcement.

Vol. 41, No. 239