News Briefs 12/27/19

Route 1 traffic pattern change over Lewes-Rehoboth Canal bridge
The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced that work on the southbound portion of the Route 1 bridge crossing the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Bridge is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 2. In a press release Dec. 26, DelDOT said the southbound bridge lanes will be redirected onto the northbound bridge, with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane available. Due to the impact of the work required to switch traffic, motorists should anticipate delays.

The traffic pattern change marks the halfway point for completion of the rehabilitation for the entire Lewes-Rehoboth Canal span. Once traffic is switched, contractors will perform structural repairs to the southbound span identical to the work that was completed on the northbound span. DelDOT anticipates the repairs to the southbound span to complete in early spring, with lane closures on both spans to follow for preparation of the final riding surface. Project completion is expected before the upcoming 2020 summer season.

Surfgimp Beach Bash tickets on Sale
The second annual Surfgimp Foundation Winter Beach Bash will take place from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson Ave., Dewey Beach. Ticket prices are $80, and they will be on sale up to Thursday, Jan. 9. VIP tables for 10 can be reserved for $1,000. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com under Surfgimp Foundation. There’s also a donate button on the eventbrite page for those who aren’t going to the bash, but would like to support the foundation.

Lewes Yacht Club wants to dredge marina basin
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a notice Dec. 25 for a number of wetlands and subaqueous lands applications.

One of those applications is for the Lewes Yacht Club, which has submitted an application to hydraulically maintenance dredge 4,830 cubic yards of material, dredging to a depth of 6 feet below mean low water from the marina basin. The material would be disposed of at a confined disposal facility, off Park Road, in Lewes.

Additional application notices include one for Anchor’s Run Investments Inc. in Milton, to place an additional 150 square feet of rip-rap for outfall scour protection in Walls Branch; one for IPOD LLC to add a 4-foot-wide by 35-foot-long pier, a 6-foot-wide by 20-foot-long dock, and a 5.5-foot-wide dock by 16-foot-long kayak launch platform connecting to a previously authorized structure in the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal at 3 Harbor Dr., Rehoboth Beach; and one for Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation to install a 40-linear-foot rip-rap revetment directly abutting an existing bulkhead and unstabilized shoreline on the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal at 210 Pilottown Rd., Lewes.

A public hearing on the above applications will not be held unless DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin determines that a public hearing is in the public interest or if a written meritorious objection to the application is received within 20 days from this notice.  Writers should indicate if the letter is requesting a public hearing or providing comments for consideration. Comments must be made by Tuesday, Jan. 14. These documents/applications are available for review by contacting Gayle Calder, Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, by calling 302-739-9943 or by fax at 302-739-6304.

Dewey Beach planners to meet Jan. 4
The Dewey Beach Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.
Members will discuss Ordinance 696D, as referred to commissioners from town council, and may possibly vote to provide recommendations, including a list of pros and cons to town commissioners regarding increasing the number of off-season temporary expansions that can be applied for to take place at in-town businesses.

Bethany Beach firefly could make Endangered Species list
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Dec. 19 it will move forward with considering Endangered Species Act protection for the Bethany Beach firefly and Gulf Coast solitary bee. In a press release from the federal agency, it said both coastal species face increasing threats from climate-driven sea-level rise, unchecked coastal development, and pesticides.
The Bethany Beach firefly has been documented at only seven sites along the Delaware coast - virtually all of them smaller than a football field.

The wetland area that is home to the firefly’s largest-remaining population is currently being developed. The Fish and Wildlife Service found that protecting the Bethany Beach firefly may be warranted due to several ongoing threats, including wetland conversion and light pollution. Both species are also threatened by the failure of current state and regional regulatory mechanisms to protect the insects adequately.

According to the press release, protecting the two insects under the Endangered Species Act would be an historic first for both fireflies and native, solitary bees in the continental United States. The Fish and Wildlife Service will now initiate a scientific status review and public comment period before making a final decision on whether to protect the firefly and native bee.

Christmas Bird Counts coming up
The Delmarva Ornithological Society manages six Christmas Bird Counts in Delaware. Two counts - Wilmington and Bombay Hook - have taken place, but there are still four remaining. All skill levels of birders are welcome, including ones that like to feeder-watch at home.

In Rehoboth, the count takes place Saturday, Dec. 28. To sign up, contact compiler Sally O’Byrne at 302-584-4783 or salobyrne@gmail.com. In Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the count takes place Sunday, Dec. 29. To sign up, contact compiler Bruce Peterjohn at bpeterjohn@verizon.net.

In Milford, the count takes place Saturday, Jan. 4. To sign up, contact compiler Chris Bennett at 302-424-1126 or cpb2564@gmail.com.

Finally, in Middletown, the count takes place Sunday, Jan. 5. To sign up, contact compiler Anthony Gonzon at 302-598-5893 or atgonzon@verizon.net.

The society will host its Annual Chili Night and Christmas Bird Count Wrap-up and Review at the Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Rd., Hockessin, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15.
For more information on the counts or to sign up for chili night, go to dosbirds.org.

Cape school board to hold retreat Jan. 9
The Cape Henlopen school board will hold a retreat Thursday, Jan. 9, at the district office. Executive session, which is closed to the public, begins at 5 p.m., with open session following. Board members will discuss school academic improvement plans, the board strategic plan and the National School Boards Association.