David Small sworn in as new DNREC secretary
David Small was sworn in July 2 as the 10th Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, after having been unanimously confirmed by the State Senate for the cabinet position following his nomination by Gov. Jack Markell. Small was administered the oath of office today by Alan Davis, Delaware’s Justice of the Peace Court Chief Magistrate.
Small’s career at DNREC has spanned 27 years, serving six cabinet secretaries at the department. He has served as the deputy secretary since 2001. Sec. Small also worked as executive assistant to the secretary from 1998 until 2001 having joined the department in 1987 as chief of the Office of Information and Education.
He has represented Delaware on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and is a member of the state’s Nutrient Management Commission, the Board of Directors of Wilmington’s Riverfront Development Corporation and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club. He is a past president of the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Information and Education Association, and a former State of Delaware Employee of the Year. Small, 56, is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and resides with his family in Dover.
During his tenure at DNREC Small has led, coordinated or supported the development and implementation of legislative and policy initiatives including:
• Enhancement of public reporting of environmental releases
• Establishment of DNREC’s community ombudsman and the Community Involvement Advisory Council
• Establishment of the state’s aboveground storage tank program to assure their safe operation
• Development of the state’s Dam Safety Program assuring the safe operation and maintenance of regulated dams
• Development of the Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy to reduce nutrients and improve water quality
• Regulatory and voluntary approaches to improve water quality involving the state’s agriculture industry
• Passage of legislation authorizing the use of environmental covenants in Delaware to protect public health and the environment
• Enhancing public/private business opportunities in Delaware State Parks through legislation allowing longer contract terms
• Universal recycling for Delaware
• Coordinating with state’s business community on updating standards and programs such as on-site waste water regulations designed to protect water quality and Title V air program
• The public and agency review of more than 100 regulations under Executive Order 36 leading to the repeal of three regulations and changes to eight others.
Small succeeds Collin O’Mara, who this month left DNREC and Markell’s cabinet to become president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation.
