New canal dock proposed across from Rehoboth treatment plant

For the second time in recent months, construction plans have been submitted to the state for a new dock in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal near Rehoboth Beach’s wastewater treatment facility.

The state’s Coastal Management Program issued a notice Oct. 15 for the proposed dock. According to the notice, an application has been submitted for the construction of a 3-foot-wide, 127-foot-long walkway that’s elevated 3 feet above existing tidal wetlands; a 4-foot-wide, 26-foot-long pier, 16 feet of the pier to be located from mean high water to mean low water and 10 feet channelward of mean low water; and a 5-foot-wide, 40-foot-long dock in the canal. The project site is at the end of Basin Street in Bay Vista outside Rehoboth Beach.

The canal is a federally regulated body of water, and the state’s notice included an application from Millsboro-based Marine Permitting & Consulting to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlining the project in more detail.

The application said the length of the pier has been designed for two vessels to be able to maneuver at low tide.

“The goal is to place the least amount of structure within the wetlands and canal as possible,” said the application

The application said the lot associated with this project is currently vacant, but there are plans to build a single-family home.

“The wetland walkway, pier and dock will allow the family to access the berthed vessels which will be used for fishing, crabbing and other water sport activities,” reads the application.

Earlier this year, DNREC issued a public notice for a proposed dock on the same side as the city’s wastewater treatment plant that would be for residents of Tradewinds Grove Condominiums. That project includes a 4-foot-wide, 12-foot-long pier; a 6-foot-wide, 99-foot-long fixed dock; three boat lifts that are 12 feet by 12 feet; another fixed dock that is 6 feet wide and 40 feet long; a 4-foot-wide, 12-foot-long gangway; and a floating dock that’s 6 feet wide and 20 feet long.

DNREC spokesperson Michael Globetti said, as of Oct. 16, the permit for this project has not been issued because the Division of Water is waiting for supplemental information from the applicant.

Comments concerning the new application will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 14.

Comments may be sent to: DNREC Coastal Programs, Jesse Hayden, Administrator, 100 W. Water St., Suite 7B, Dover, DE, 19904, or electronically to DNREC_DCP_PublicComment@delaware.gov. For submission materials and additional information, go to de.gov/dnrecnotices or call 302-739-9283.