Delaware’s seven beach mayors as part of the Association of Coastal Towns are discussing whether to accept US Wind donations to each town and how this will be tied to DNREC's withdrawal of financial support of beach replenishment.
US Wind is proposing $100,000 per year to each town that accepts its offer to stay silent and not protest the possible devastating consequences to the environment, to our military security, to our fishing industry and to our pocketbooks.
Gov. John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin are committed to allowing foreign offshore wind farm entities access to the most precious natural resource that Delaware has, our coastline, to bring cables ashore. But what many may not realize is that the mayors still have a powerful voice and ability to impede US Wind and stop its cables from coming ashore in Delaware. Citizens should focus their attention on these mayors and the deals they are making.
The mayors are deciding whether to accept payments from US Wind in exchange for their silence. There's the carrot. But there is also a big stick that is being applied to bear against them as well. Delaware is letting the beach towns know it may no longer cover a portion of the cost of beach replenishment and the beach towns may have to pick up that cost. In this way, DNREC is encouraging the mayors to take the money from US Wind, or else cough up much more in the form of beach replenishment requirements.
For beach nourishment projects, costs are shared – 70% from the federal government, 30% from DNREC. To be eligible for a project with the Army Corps, the beach must also meet certain public accessibility requirements. It is clear our towns' beaches are not only accessible to the public, but also a huge financial benefit to the state. In 2021, the tourism industry generated $620 million in tax revenue. Without tourism, each Delaware household would pay an additional $1,608 in taxes, per VisitDelaware.com. A report from 2012 showed that beach communities and surrounding areas support 59,000 jobs and generate $711 million in tax revenue, ranking the coast-related economy on par with agriculture among the state’s top industries. The coast-related activity also provides more than 10% of the state’s total employment, taxes and business production.
But now DNREC is threatening to withdraw its portion of beach replenishment and shift this burden onto the beach towns. DNREC announced a new study that will explore the economic benefits of beach nourishment, as well as search for new ways to fund the projects.
Right now, state and federal taxes cover the project, but DNREC says due to increased demand and rising costs, it may become difficult to pay for it.
Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger has already declined to accept US Wind’s money. Bethany Beach will hold a meeting at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 12 about the topic.
Please contact our beach mayors and tell them to decline US Wind’s proposal.
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