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Markell signs waterway protection bill

July 30, 2016

A bright, sunny day in the shadow of the  Indian River Bridge was the backdrop for Gov. Jack Markell to sign Senate Bill 261, legislation that increases boater registration fees in order to fund dredging and debris removal from state waterways.

Under the bill, boater registration fees will double, generating what state officials say will be $1.3 million in additional revenue for dredging projects to create safer conditions for boating and improve conditions for recreational fishing. Markell signed the bill at Indian River Inlet as much of the dredging projects are in the Inland Bays, such as Massey’s Ditch, connecting Rehoboth and Indian River Bays; the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, Herring Creek, Love Creek, and Whites Creek.

State officials say the Massey’s Ditch project is estimated to cost $4 million, with an additional $2.4 million for the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and Herring Creek projects.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary David Small said, “This legislation is essential in helping DNREC achieve its mission of keeping Delaware waterways safe and navigable for boaters. The responsibility for dredging and channel marking in federally-authorized waterways has fallen to DNREC in recent years, but during an era of challenging state budgets, funding has not kept pace with need. Having a dedicated revenue stream will be a great boost to our waterway management program.”

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