DNREC is set to begin the annual spring spraying of woodland pools to control aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes as soon as Friday, March 20 – with the spring spray campaign carrying on as late as mid-April, weather permitting. Targeting larval mosquitoes limits the emergence of biting adult mosquitoes later in the spring coming from these habitats.
A controlled burn is planned for Brandywine Creek State Park in March to help clear meadows to encourage the growth of native wildflowers and seasonal grasses and to create habitat for grassland birds and pollinators.
DNREC encourages Delaware non-profit organizations, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowners’ associations to submit project proposals to be considered for grant funds from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program.
The Junction and Breakwater Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park will close for repairs on weekdays for three weeks starting March 9, followed by the Gordon Pond Trail, which will close weekdays only for two weeks to fix small sections breeched by high tides.
Ahead of the spring wildfire season, the Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service today announced $90,000 in grants to 22 communities statewide to support wildfire risk-reduction projects, part of the Sherrill Administration’s mission to deliver to protect New Jersey communities from lengthening wildfire seasons amid a changing climate.
Continue reading “Sherrill Administration Awards $90,000 in Grants to Help Communities During Wildfire Season”By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – A community is fighting to stop a proposed rail line in Elk County that would move trash through Horton Township to a landfill in nearby Fox Township, warning it could harm the quality of life and the local environment.
The project, currently under federal review, has been paused, though, and whether it resumes may hinge on a 1.5-mile stretch of sewer line.
Supporters say it could reduce long-haul truck traffic by shifting waste transport to rail, while opponents argue it would cut through private property and raise concerns about impacts on homes, churches, and waterways.
It would add 3.87 miles of new track along an abandoned rail bed, beginning at the end of an active Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad line – commonly referred to as the “Toby Branch” – near the O-I Crenshaw Glass Plant, and ending at the Greentree Landfill. The landfill is operated by Noble Environmental, the parent company of Lampwrights LLC, which was formed to develop the proposed rail line.
Continue reading “Proposed Rail Line in Elk County, Pa, Has Community Concerned”We celebrated Whale Week from February 9–13. If you missed it, be sure to check out some of our great whale content!
Whale Week: Celebrating the Wonder of Whales
Whales are among the largest and oldest animals on Earth. They can be found in every ocean and range in size from the small dwarf sperm whale to the massive blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. Explore NOAA Fisheries’ whale science and conservation efforts through the features and videos below.
Celebrate Whale Week with Us: A Message from the Director of Protected Resources
Director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources, Kim Damon-Randall, shares a message inviting everyone to learn about the types of technology we use to study whales, how to watch whales responsibly, and how you can help whales.
Follow the Whales: How Tagging Supports Whale Research and Rescue
Scientists at NOAA Fisheries attach electronic tags to individual whales to safely and remotely collect powerful data. Marine animal telemetry allows the scientists to monitor the movement and behavior of a tagged whale and learn how whales use their ocean habitats.
An active outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) throughout the State of New Jersey is being monitored by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and federal partners. Since the beginning of the U.S. outbreak in January 2022, avian influenza has impacted wild birds in every state.
If you see sick or dead birds, particularly in groups of 5 or more, please report your finding to the Wild Bird Disease Reporting Form.
Typical signs of HPAI include diarrhea, discharge from the nose, coughing, sneezing, and incoordination, but some birds may show no signs before death.
While HPAI can infect humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that the ongoing HPAI outbreak is primarily an animal health issue that poses low risk to the health of the general public.
Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that the Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project has officially been authorized to move forward, securing more than $24.3 million to protect one of the most vulnerable areas along the Jersey Shore.
“I just heard directly from the Secretary of Homeland Security’s office that this project has officially been authorized,” said Congressman Van Drew. “This is a major breakthrough for Cape May and for our entire shoreline. This section of Cape May was identified after Hurricane Sandy as a serious weak point, and that vulnerability has not gone away. The next major storm is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. This seawall project is making sure we are not caught unprepared. Thank you to the administration for making our coastline a priority. This has been a big week for our shore. I am proud to keep delivering real results and making sure South Jersey gets the attention it deserves.”
NOAA Fisheries has transferred 30.8 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the Reserve category to the Longline category. The resulting adjusted quotas are:
Each eligible Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) shareholder will receive 893 lbs (0.4 mt) of IBQ. IBQ shareholders can expect for individual accounts to be updated shortly.
The adjusted Longline and Reserve quotas will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2026 fishing year or until otherwise adjusted. Note that NOAA Fisheries intends to take separate rulemaking action as soon as possible in 2026 to consider modifying the baseline Atlantic bluefin tuna quota consistent with the quota adopted at the 2025 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas annual meeting.
This action applies to Atlantic Tunas Longline category limited access permit holders.