Share: 

Survey shows Dewey residents aware of flooding

First step in 2018 referendum on how to pay for mitigation
August 10, 2017

Story Location:
105 Rodney Ave.
Dewey Beach, DE 19971
United States

According to a survey recently completed by some of Dewey’s property owners, bayside flooding in Dewey is a real problem and it’s an issue that can’t be ignored.

During town council’s July 14 meeting, Commissioner Gary Persinger said 95 percent of respondents to a survey about bayside flooding were very much aware of the problem. He said the survey was initiated in early June by emailing the link to 812 people; 383 people responded.

The survey was conducted to sound out the public on the overall issue of sea level rise, said Persinger.

Town commissioners are considering a referendum for the 2018 municipal election that would ask if property owners are in favor of the town playing a financial role in mitigating bayside flooding and sea level rise, and, if yes, how much money should the town raise?

Months ago, officials discussed holding the referendum during this year’s election, but commissioners decided not to rush the issue, choosing instead to gather information and educate the public.

According to the survey, 66 percent of respondents said the town should have a financial role in mitigating bayside flooding.

Commissioner Mike Dunmyer said the level of awareness and the overall level of commitment to the town participating in mitigation, was higher than he expected.

“It’s an interesting starting point,” he said.

Dunmyer reminded the public about a stormwater master plan for Dewey that’s being finished by the Center for the Inland Bays. He said he’s expecting to see the plan by the end of summer, with education sessions to follow.

Dunmyer emphasized flooding is a townwide issue.

“A lot of bayside flooding is coming from drainage on the oceanside, so it is much more of a townwide issue than we thought,” he said.

Earlier during the same council meeting, commissioners had voted to suspend public comment throughout the meeting, so public participation was limited.

However, the commissioners did allow attorney Stephen Spence, who represents a number of clients in town, including multiple-business owner Highway One, to ask if there were any questions about instituting a property tax to help fund construction.

Dunmyer said, “No, we did not ask that question.”

Dewey doesn’t join Climate Alliance

Dewey commissioners have shown they’re committed to working on climate-related issues, but they also don’t want to be told how to do it.

Following a brief discussion during the July 14 meeting, the commissioners voted 4-1 against a resolution to join the United States Climate Alliance. The resolution was in response to the United State’s withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a worldwide effort that, among other things, says countries signatories will make efforts toward reducing greenhouse emissions by 2020. In early June, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement.

Persinger said there’s a huge cavern between the international agreement and the practical effects on Dewey. In some sense, he said, it’s only a political statement.

Commissioner Courtney Riordan said he thought joining the alliance went beyond his scope as a commissioner.

Dunmyer said he liked the idea of the town being on the record on the issue, but he said he thought there could be other groups that were more appropriate. He suggested the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda or We Are Still In, a group of mayors, governors, college and university leaders, businesses, and investors.

Charlie Garlow, representing the Delaware’s Citizens’ Climate Lobby, was in attendance to encourage the town to join the alliance, noting it is a pledge to do the town’s part to reduce emissions.

“It’s not like you’re jumping off a cliff. It doesn’t have to be costly or expensive,” Garland said.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter