Center For The Inland Bays

Summer Internship Opportunity Available at CIB

~Brittany Kiessling, 2007 CIB Summer Intern from Salisbury State University~

The Center for the Inland Bays is seeking a self-motivated individual for a 30 hour per week Watershed Internship. The Center for the Inland Bays is a private non-profit community based watershed organization responsible for coordinating the protection and restoration of Rehoboth, Indian River and Little Assawoman Bays in coastal Sussex County, Delaware. Our offices are located at the Indian River Inlet between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach.

The qualified intern should currently be studying in or recently completed a degree in biology, natural resources, or environmental policy. The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks in the field and in the office. The internship is designed to expose the applicant to the different aspects of community-based, collaborative watershed restoration for water quality improvement in Delaware’s Inland Bays. Activities may include 1) assisting with maintenance of a 150 acre ecological preserve: including care of plantings and mowing 2) organizing the Center’s science library, 3) producing scientific literature reviews and searches on estuary ecology, 4) assisting with programs such as terrapin monitoring, oyster restoration, stormwater planning, and wetlands research and 5) community outreach.

The position will run from June to August and start and end dates are flexible. Salary will be $9.00 an hour. The position is limited to 30 hours per week. Time will generally be split between office work and work on the preserve and in the field.

For more information or to submit a resume please contact Chris Bason, Science and Technical Coordinator, at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE; phone 302 226-8105; email chrisbason@inlandbays.org

Special Events

All the information you need for Paddlin' for the Bays, the Native Plant Sale, Decked Out, our Inland Bays Clean-up, and the 8th Annual Governor's Wade-In events!

Rehoboth Beach, DE: When the non-profit Center for the Inland Bays began its search to fill its vacant Development Coordinator position, it had to look no farther than another local National Estuary Program. Jennifer Jones was employed with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, where she had spent seven years developing a Corporate Environmental Stewardship Program (CESP). This initiative provides corporations across the Philadelphia metropolitan region with the technical expertise they need to better manage and enhance their lands by using native species and restoring natural habitat. Recently, through Jones’ efforts, CESP became a self-sufficient membership program.

Jones plans to build on the current strategy to broaden financial support for the Center’s mission and ensure that it can continue its work in the Inland Bays watershed. “"I'm looking forward to promoting the organization and highlighting the significance of the Inland Bays Estuary to the tens of thousands of people who visit the watershed annually. I would also like to expand the current link with local businesses that depend on the Inland Bays' resources to sustain our local economy," she said.

Ensuring property rights and protecting critical natural resources are not mutually exclusive goals in growth management
Commentary by Carol Bason, Vice Chair, Citizens Advisory Committee, CIB
As evidenced by recent commentaries in the press and at review meetings, the process of performing the five-year update of the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan (2007 Plan) has become a contentious issue.

The State of Delaware, environmental organizations, and pro-growth organizations, have registered their concerns, opinions, and in some cases outrage with the November draft of the 2007 Plan, citing a lack of vision, lack of enforceable language that leads to protective ordinances, and lack of an overall implementation plan. The Council has stated that they don’t want land use regulations to impact property rights.

These goals are NOT mutually exclusive. The 2007 Plan suggests guidelines for the use of design and development tools that, if implemented, can accomplish growth while protecting our fragile coastal environment, our natural resources, our economy, and our property rights.

The 2007 Plan references growth tools such as transfer of development rights and cites community design guidelines that, if implemented, promote our traditional Eastern shore neighborhood design, town centers with pedestrian friendly streets, environmentally protective design, and protection of critical natural resources through open space preservation. These tools are being used today in many jurisdictions to promote “smart growth” – providing incentives to developers to rebuild communities that protect tradition, culture, environmental resources, and business.

What the 2007 Plan does not include is a commitment from the County to implement these tools and methodologies. Most comprehensive plans include a vision, stated goals for accomplishing that vision, a list of ordinances that will be developed and enacted in support of those goals, and an implementation plan that will support and enforce the plan.

As written, the 2007 Plan provides no more than a set of guidelines that may or may not be used in Sussex County growth management. The 2007 Plan must define the vision for Sussex County, analyze where we are right now with regard to that vision, where we are going with regard to growth, and how will we get to there.

Indian River Inlet: Despite bitterly cold winds and the season’s first snowfall, volunteers from the Hunters’ Run subdivision in Ocean View planted native trees in community open space areas to provide habitat and help improve water quality.
Orvin Strickler, Hunters’ Run resident and organizer of the tree planting, said a decision was made to plant larger trees to give the habitat areas in the subdivision a head start. “We’ve been working with the DE Center for the Inland Bays on several habitat projects and when they approached us about planting trees, the only question was, “When can we get started?”
This project began in the spring of 2007 when the CIB provided funding to the homeowners’ association for several demonstration plots of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. “The residents of Hunters’ Run have been a real inspiration,” said EJ Chalabala, Wildlife Manager with the Center and local contact for the Urban and Community Forestry Program. “Each time we have a planting day, we always have more than enough volunteers, and they are a real pleasure to work with.”
The CIB will continue to work with the homeowners’ association over the winter identifying other areas for habitat enhancement and to transplant smaller trees from wooded areas within the subdivision.
The Hunters’ Run homeowners’ association was awarded a $5,000 grant to purchase and plant trees to enhance water quality. To find out if your subdivision is eligible, or for more information about the Urban and Community Forestry Program, contact EJ Chalabala at the Center for the Inland Bays at 302-226-8105 or by email at wildlife@inlandbays.org

Commentary by Valerie Cloutier, Esq., CIB, Citizens' Advisory Committee
For nearly four decades my husband and I have been enthralled with the natural wonders of the Inland Bays watershed area, first as frequent vacationers, then as small condo owners, and for the last three years as full time permanent resident home owners. Our enthrallment, however, has turned to deepening sadness as we see the ravages caused by unplanned and uncontrolled sprawl in this ecologically fragile and precious area.

When I learned that the Sussex County Council as required by Delaware law was in the process of updating its five-year Comprehensive Plan, I eagerly awaited the publication of the draft update. The 2003 Update contained at least 18 requirements for the enactment of enforceable ordinances dealing among others with future land use, water and wastewater treatment, conservation, open space and transportation. But I knew that in the ensuing five years only 11 of the required ordinances have been drafted with a mere nine enacted.

As I began reading the 07 draft, I was heartened by the intent expressed on page 2: “Because this Plan is an update, the focus is on refining, not reinventing, the County’s approach to planning.” After a careful review of the draft, however, I find rather than “refinement”, the plan is a regression from the 2003 Update. For starters, there is no reference to 2003 tasks unfinished or not yet begun. Once the 2007 Update is finalized, those promised but undone mandates are lost.

Moreover, the 07 draft update contains no new mandates. Rather than “shall”, the 07 draft repeatedly uses “may”, “should”, and “could”. While these are comfortable terms in casual conversation, they have no legal clout Yet, the 07 Update is replete with such “toothless” words:

“The following major guidelines should apply to future growth in the Town Centers...”
“The following major guidelines should apply to future growth in the Developing Areas...”
“The following major guidelines should apply to future growth in the Environmentally Sensitive Developing Areas...”

“The following major guidelines should apply to future growth in Mixed Residential Areas...”.
Yes, these terms might provide guidance, but guidance is not a legal mandate.

For the watershed area, the equivocation continues: “The County may also consider an additional layer of protection in the Environmentally Sensitive Developing Areas. Tidal wetland could be subtracted from the total tract size so that “net” tract size is used as the basis for calculating how much development is allowed....Central water and sewer facilities are strongly encouraged. If central utilities are not possible, permitted densities should be limited to 2 units per acre.”

Another example is the ambiguously vague language in the section on Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs), defined by the county as a method of land use planning that can use dollars paid by developers to preserve certain land permanently: “The following are generalized guidelines for developing a voluntary TDR program and establishing effective procedures to govern its operation.”

The litany of good intentions goes on in the segment on eligible open space: “Sussex County is interested in establishing standards to ensure preserved open space is well-located and serves a public function. In many cases, mature woods, steep slopes and creek valleys should be preserved in their natural state. In other cases, the open spaces may be intended for active recreation. In still other cases, trees should be planted in the open spaces and trails should be installed...Valid public purposes for open space include...The following are useful criteria for assessing the value of open space areas proposed as part of a new development...” While all of the verbiage set out above sounds well intentioned, it is just that - full of guidance and good intentions, but woefully absent of specific mandates.

The Citizens Advisory Committee(CAC) of the Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) has developed a resolution setting forth necessary ordinances that must be adopted by the County Council in an effort to protect and begin restoration of the Inland Bays. The resolution in amended form was adopted recently by the CIB Board and forwarded to the County Council for action. Consistent with its resolution, the CAC has developed the following set of outcomes for consideration by the State as it determines whether to certify the SCCP 2007 Plan Update:

• That the State NOT APPROVE the SCCP Plan Update UNLESS it includes a list of ordinances in priority order and time line that the County Council will enact within 18 months of adoption of the Plan Update and that the list include at a minimum the ordinances listed in the CAC/CIB resolution;

• That the State require that the list of ordinances in the CAC/CIB resolution apply preferably to the entire watershed and not just to the Environmentally Sensitive Developing Area;

• That the County revise the text of the Plan Update to be consistent with and reflect all mandates including the list of required ordinances;

• That the County describe in the Plan Update how it will enforce Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) in the watershed area and by what date;

• That the County include in its annual budget a funded item specifically for enforcement of the listed ordinances; and

• That while the CAC strongly advocates for public sewer in the ESDA, as a temporary fall back measure, all water treatment companies be publicly controlled and monitored for compliance with pollution control measures.

In my view the current housing slump provides the County Council an opportunity for reflection and time to plan future growth responsibly with the requisite supporting infrastructure. I earnestly challenge everyone to a call for action: If you share my love of the ecological wonders of this area, please contact your County Council member and your State representatives. Urge them to act responsibly in adopting the modest outcomes set out above that implement genuine measures to protect and begin restoring the ecology of our natural wonder, the Inland Bays.

Commentary to the Press from CAC Chair, Ron Wuslich
Not until I became chair of the South Bethany Planning Commission in 2004 and co-author of its Comprehensive Plan did I take an introspective interest in water quality in the Inland Bays. Of course, we had algae blooms, but my main interest was in how to remove them, and not in what caused them to occur.
But, the more that I learned about the condition of our Inland Bays, the more concerned I became about their future.

I believe that if other citizens become aware of the facts, that citizens in Sussex County will demand better public policy to protect water quality in the Inland Bays because this is not just an environmental issue, it is an economic issue and a public health issue as well.

A healthy environment is critical to our quality of life in the Inland Bays watershed so that it continues to be a desirable and healthy place to live and vacation.
These are facts that all citizens should know:
• Our Bays are not “fishable or swimmable” under EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines;
• All of the Inland Bays are on the state 303D list of “impaired waters;”
• The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ( DNREC) warns visitors to state parks and wildlife areas located on the Bays that “Waters of the Inland Bays may contain organisms that could be harmful to your health. Swimming could result in an increased risk of rashes, infections or gastrointestinal distress; especially during and after rainfall;”
• Only 29% of the streams that empty into the Inland Bays fully support aquatic life;
• The waters of the Inland Bays are highly enriched with nitrogen and phosphorous;
• The primary activities causing a eutrophic (low oxygen) condition in the Inland Bays are agriculture and urbanization;
• The Sussex County population increased 56% between 1990 and 2005, not including approximately 37,000 homeowners who live in other states;
• Most of that growth has been concentrated near already congested communities; Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island;
• Growth will put people and buildings closer to sensitive natural areas increasing the potential for their degradation;
• Developed areas with a high percentage of impervious surfaces contribute to significant pollution loads in waterways.;
• Sussex County records show that through 2006, a total of 26,233 residential lots have been approved and recorded, but not yet developed;
• Promulgation of the Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy has repeatedly been delayed;

In the upcoming months, DNREC will again attempt to promulgate a “Pollution Control Strategy” and Sussex County will seek state approval of its 2007 Update of the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan which is mandated under Delaware law. Once approved, these two critical pieces of public policy for protecting our Inland Bays, will not be re-visited for ten and five years respectively.

So, if you love the Inland Bays as I do, here is what I am asking you to do:
1. Call your Representative, State Senator, and your County Commissioners and tell them you want the Inland Bays to be “fishable and swimmable” again and that they should make this objective a key element of their mission.
2. Call the DE Center for the Inland Bays at (302) 226 8105 and ask for an application to become a member of the CIB’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee, or print out an application from our website and send it to the Center for the Inland Bays, 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Thank you,
Ron Wuslich
Chair, Citizens’ Advisory Committee
DE Center for the Inland Bays

CIB Board Accepts CAC Recommendations on County Land Use Element
Sussex County 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update
Future Land Use Element Draft (July 31, 2007)
CAC Management Committee – Review, Comment & Recommendations
Click here to read the report:
FutureLandUseElement_recommendations_final.pdf

STAC Presentations from November 2007 Meeting on Website
The presentations from the November 16th meeting of the Science and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) are available online at http://www.inlandbays.org/cib_pm/tech_committee.php

The DE Center for the Inland Bays and Delaware State University have announced a shellfish aquaculture research partnership which will further the work of the oyster gardening project in the three Delaware Inland Bays.

The three year grant has four objectives: 1) to apply various shellfish aquaculture techniques for better shellfish growth and maximum survival; 2) to study the habitat value of shellfish aquaculture gears; 3) to enhance current oyster reef restoration work, including the citizen volunteer oyster gardening program through long term research efforts; and 4) to study lagoon systems along the barrier islands in Delaware to determine suitable and self-supporting locations for shellfish spawning.

The Delaware State proposal cites the excellent potential for aquaculture in Delaware, but stresses the critical need to better understand the dynamics of local waters. The Delaware Inland Bays system consists of three shallow coastal bays, Rehoboth, Indian River and Little Assawoman, with a combined surface water area of 32 square miles and an associated watershed of approximately 320 square miles.

The Inland Bays support commercial and recreational fisheries for hard clams,
blue crabs and a variety of other commercially and environmentally important aquatic species. But, the potential impact of enhancing shellfish aquaculture with community-based restoration and environmental conservation is promising according to Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay, project director.

Photo-L to R-Kate Rossi-Snook, DE State Technician; Dr. Ozbay, Project Director; Frank Marenghi, DE State Graduate Student, E.J. Chalabala, CIB, John Ewart, U of DE, College of Marine and Earth Studies.

In 2004 the Center published its first Environmental Indicators Report. Environmental indicators form the bridge between the science and monitoring in the watershed and the public audiences that rely on this information to make informed decisions. Indicators are intended to educate and engage audiences and, developed correctly, can together tell a complete and coherent story about the changing health of the Bays. Some of the current indicators include nutrient concentrations, recreational fishing, and the conversion of septics systems to sewer. The STAC of the CIB is now working to update and revise the indicators into a defensible group of measurements that describe Bay health over time and in a way that everyone can understand.

In the spring and summer of 2006, residents of the watershed began to notice an unhealthy appearence of many saltmarshes in our Bays. Work by DNREC and the CIB with help from volunteers later revealed that almost 40% of the marshes in the Inland Bays may be experiencing Sudden Wetland Dieback (SWD).

This apparently new phenomenon degrades salt marsh grasses over the course of weeks to months and can causes a marsh to fail to produce any substantantial crop of vegetation.

The cause of sudden wetland dieback remains unknown. This paper describes the research to date on SWD in the Inland Bays and the importance of its occurence to the health of our highly valuable saltmarshes. SWD in other areas of the country is also reviewd, and suggestions on the best approach to monitoring for restoration are provided.

Click here to download the white paper. ...or... Click here to visit the CIB SWD page.

Diamondback Terrapin

The coastal dunes along Delaware Seashore State Park are a favored nesting area of Diamondback Terrapins. Unfortunately, Rt. 1 bisects this important, narrow strip of land that serves as a transitional zone from marsh to dunes. So patrols are needed to protect this native species.

"Portrait of an Estuary," on view from June 3rd through Labor Day at the Center for the Inland Bays. The Center is located at 39375 Inlet Road on the north side of the Indian River Inlet directly behind the U.S. Coast Guard Station. The display is open to the public from Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Read the CIB 2005 Annual Report

Progress can come in many forms. In the last year, the Center for the Inland Bays has continued to demonstrate its ability to drive progress towards implementation of the Inland Bays Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan through a variety of environmental initiatives. The CIB is proud to have achieved recognition for a number of quality programs such as our Inland Bays Wetlands Research Project, the creation of “model farms” in the Little Assawoman Bay watershed as a component of the Poultry Integrators Nutrient Effort, and our highly publicized Terrapin Education & Rescue Program (T.E.R.P.).

Click here to read the full report in PDF.

A full copy of the Rehoboth Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Disposal Study is available for download. The report, produced by Stearns & Wheler, LLC, evaluates four alternatives to direct wastewater discharge to the Bays including Land Application, Rapid Infiltration Beds, Subsurface Injection, and an Ocean Outfall. Advantages, disadvantages, and costs of each alternative are presented. Click here for the full report in pdf or click here to view the JAN 13 ’06 STAC powerpoint presentation of the report.

Pat Drizd, Volunteer Coordinator for the DE Center for the Inland Bays

Volunteer Program to be Expanded for New CIB Center Opening Early 2006

The DE Center for the Inland Bays announced the appointment of Pat Drizd of Dagsboro as Volunteer Coordinator. Drizd served as an instructor in the James Farm Education program this spring.

Our native Diamondback Terrapin

Lewes, Delaware: Preliminary data from the 2005 Diamondback Terrapin nesting season shows an encouraging trend for these Inland Bays natives. Twenty eight terrapins were reported killed on the road this season, down from 44 last year. The highest number of road-killed females recorded since the state began collecting data was 62 in 2003. In past years, total terrapin mortality counts for all sex and age classes have been as high as 121 turtles.