AGP Executive Report

Beach Wildlife & Public Safety: Prime Hook biologists will host a Sept. 3 program on protecting Delaware’s beach-nesting birds at Fowler Beach, with registration required. Health & Water/Coast Impacts: Jellyfish are crowding Delaware beaches this summer, with lifeguards and swimmers reporting hundreds of stings and longer-lasting symptoms. Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis linked to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce may have reached more areas, with Delaware listed among additional states/jurisdictions. Conservation & Land Stewardship: Sussex County Land Trust added Eric Williams as a full-time stewardship manager to expand care for preserved lands and public-access sites. Wildlife Funding Through Art: DNREC named George Bradford (trout stamp) and Jonathan Milo (waterfowl stamp) as 2027 stamp art winners, with proceeds supporting conservation and stocking. Energy Policy Watch: Delaware’s Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force faces criticism over whether its review was technically deep enough to guide long-term electricity decisions. Local Government & Infrastructure: Delaware County reported $18 million in capital budget savings after mid-year updates to its facilities plan. Tech for Government: UD and state agencies ran a three-day AI hackathon, pairing students with agency teams on real Delaware government problems.

Land Conservation Staffing: Sussex County Land Trust added Eric Williams as a new full-time stewardship manager to boost care for its growing portfolio of preserved lands and public-access sites. Wildlife & Habitat Funding: DNREC announced 2027 Delaware stamp art winners—Georgetown’s George Bradford won the trout stamp for a sixth time, and Connecticut’s Jonathan Milo won the waterfowl stamp—supporting conservation and stocking. Community Land Preservation Milestone: SCLT celebrated the Ard Na Greine milestone, a public-private effort that protected an 88-acre Lewes-area farm with major county and foundation support. AI for Public Services: Delaware state agencies and UD teamed up for the “Hennovate the State” AI hackathon, pairing students with agency teams to tackle records, customer service, transportation planning, and more. Pet Reunification Upgrade: Delaware’s Office of Animal Welfare is rolling out Petco Love Lost statewide, using AI photo matching to speed up lost-pet reunions. Energy & Environment Policy Watch: A Delaware nuclear feasibility task force faces criticism over whether its review was technical enough to guide long-term energy decisions. Coastal Ecology Note: Delmarva Sea Grant reported jellyfish influx along the coast, tied to warmer conditions. Storm Impacts: Severe storms and flooding risk across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast included reports of tornado damage in Dover, Delaware. Food Safety: FDA said recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce may have reached additional states, including Delaware. Mosquito Control: Delaware planned targeted evening mosquito spraying near Prime Hook and Broadkill Beach, with EPA-approved products. Port Expansion Legal Fight: New lawsuits challenge Delaware’s approval steps for the Edgemoor port expansion, raising concerns about habitat and pollution. Agriculture Innovation: UD demonstrated an AI-powered precision sprayer aimed at reducing herbicide use by treating only where needed. Soil Health & Regenerative Farming: A Delaware Soil Health Field Day highlighted regenerative practices like cover crops and reduced disturbance to improve resilience and water retention.

Port Fight: Two new lawsuits renew the fight over Edgemoor’s port expansion, with residents challenging a Delaware Environmental Appeals Board decision that cleared dredging and a new wharf—critics warn of impacts to sturgeon habitat and air pollution from added truck traffic. AI for Animals: Delaware’s Office of Animal Welfare is upgrading its lost-and-found system by partnering with Petco Love Lost, using AI photo-matching to reunite pets with families statewide. Wildlife & Funding: DNREC announced winners of the 2027-28 Delaware Waterfowl and 2027 Trout stamp art contests, with proceeds tied to waterfowl conservation and trout stocking. Energy & Oversight: A Delaware nuclear feasibility task force faces fresh criticism over whether its review was technical enough to guide long-term energy decisions. Farming Tech: UD demonstrated an AI-powered ultra-precise sprayer that targets weeds/crops with spot treatment to cut chemical use. Mosquito Control: Delaware plans Friday evening naled spraying near Lewes and at Prime Hook/Broadkill Beach. Storm Impacts: A tornado hit Dover; the state of emergency was later lifted after cleanup and damage assessments. Climate Signals: Forecasters warn El Niño could become the largest in living memory, raising the odds of major extreme weather into 2027.

Data Centers & Power Demand: A new analysis says AI-driven data centers are already straining the grid and could consume a huge share of U.S. electricity in coming years, raising concerns for local rates and planning. Local Tree Safety: Rehoboth Beach closed Grove Park after experts flagged multiple hazardous trees and ordered a deeper assessment, prompting the city to cancel the farmers market for public safety. Delaware River Region Permitting: Pennsylvania’s DEP is still reviewing permits for Amazon’s proposed backup natural gas generators near the Delaware River, while Gov. Shapiro’s new data-center guardrails could slow fast-track approvals. HOA Rules vs Sustainability: A Michigan study finds many HOA rules still block solar, EV chargers, and even clotheslines—rules that can push residents toward higher water and energy use. Severe Weather Impacts: Storms brought flash-flood risk across the I-95 corridor, with reports of tornadoes and downed trees including in Delaware. Wildlife & Land Stewardship: Delaware’s DNREC is moving ahead with deer hunting emergency rules amid chronic wasting disease concerns, while the state also continues reef-building efforts by sinking retired vessels off Sussex County.

Delaware DNREC/DNREC: DNREC Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn named Jake Novitsky assistant district forester for Weiser State Forest, a nearly 30,000-acre public lands hub on the Susquehanna with major recreation and stewardship responsibilities. Coastal & Wildlife: DNREC is also gearing up for its Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend at Camp Barnes (Oct. 2–4), with hands-on classes like surf fishing, birding, archery, and a mentored crossbow deer hunt for a small group. Water & Pollution: Delaware-based DeepGreen Cook Inlet SPV LLC unveiled plans for an underwater AI data center off Alaska’s Cook Inlet, raising fresh questions about how “clean” cooling and power claims will play out in real marine conditions. Resilience & Planning: Lewes officials are exploring a possible partnership with UD’s First State AI Institute for “digital twinning” to model scenarios and strengthen planning for hurricanes, wildfires, and critical infrastructure. Land Conservation: Sussex County Land Trust celebrated permanent protection of the 88-acre Ard Na Gréine farm in Lewes, adding to its growing portfolio of preserved open space. Storm Risk: A major East Coast storm system is pushing flash-flood risk up along the I-95 corridor, with watches stretching into Delaware and nearby states. Policy & Safety: Delaware’s School Safety Center is emphasizing reunification training and early-year drills so families know what to expect during weather disruptions, outages, and other emergencies.

Data Center Power Crunch: A new analysis warns AI data centers could drive U.S. electricity use sharply higher, raising pressure on power grids and local utility rates. Local Tech + Resilience: Lewes is exploring a partnership with UD’s First State AI Institute to build a “digital twinning” model for planning around storms and other climate risks. Subsea Data Center Proposal: An East Coast firm has floated an underwater AI data center off Alaska’s Cook Inlet—an idea that could reshape how (and where) data centers get cooled and powered. DNREC Outdoors Program: Registration opens Sept. 1 for Delaware’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend at Camp Barnes (Oct. 2–4), with courses from fishing and birding to archery and a mentored crossbow deer hunt. Conservation on the Ground: Sussex County Land Trust permanently protected an 88-acre Lewes farm, Ard Na Gréine, keeping open space from development. Estuary Science Event: The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve will host a free, registration-required Research and Stewardship Symposium Sept. 22–23 for National Estuaries Week. Wildlife Habitat Tip: After storms, downed trees can still support wildlife—snags and fallen wood can feed insects and birds and help stabilize soil.

Artificial Reef Expansion: DNREC sank the 180-foot Calcasieu Pass to grow the Del-Jersey-Land Reef (Reef Site 13), adding new marine habitat and angling/diving opportunities off Sussex County, with $285,000 in federal Sport Fish Restoration funds. Wildlife Disease Rules: Delaware adopted emergency deer hunting regulations to curb chronic wasting disease, including a ban on bait/feed in the CWD management zone and limits on moving or rehabilitating deer and fawns from affected areas. Estuary Science & Stewardship: The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve will host a free, registration-required Research and Stewardship Symposium for National Estuaries Week on Sept. 22–23, with presentations, tours, and hands-on activities at the St. Jones and Blackbird Creek Reserves. Local Data Center Fight: Delaware County communities are revisiting zoning as data center backlash spreads, with multiple municipalities considering ordinance changes amid shifting state rules. Community Outdoors: DNREC announced registration for the 2026 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend at Camp Barnes (Oct. 2–4), with skills courses for up to 60 participants.

Artificial Reef Expansion: DNREC has sunk the 180-foot Calcasieu Pass (now part of Reef Site 13, the Del-Jersey-Land Reef) off Sussex County, using $285,000 in federal Sport Fish Restoration funds to boost marine habitat plus angling and diving opportunities. Wildlife Health Rules: Delaware also rolled out emergency deer hunting regulations in a CWD management zone, including bans on bait/feed and “buck lures,” plus limits on moving harvested deer and relocating rescued fawns. Coastal Policy Debate: New Castle County council races are reigniting arguments over data center rules, including whether stricter requirements should apply retroactively to existing projects like Delaware City’s Project Washington. Public Health & Safety Training: University of Delaware resident assistants trained with local fire departments for smoke-filled dorm emergencies, aiming to improve response before students move in. Energy & Costs Watch: Gas prices are rising again nationally amid higher crude oil costs and ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruption, keeping pressure on pump prices. Research Spotlight: A University of Delaware study reports hormone-linked mechanical changes in the rat hippocampus as estrogen levels shift, adding a physical layer to how reproductive hormones may reshape the brain.

DNREC & Wildlife Health: Delaware adopted emergency deer hunting rules to slow Chronic Wasting Disease, including a CWD Management Zone in lower and central Sussex County and limits on baiting and “buck lures,” plus added testing. Coastal Marine Life: Jellyfish have surged along the Delmarva coastline, with lifeguards pointing to warm, salty estuary conditions and shifting tides that can change sting risk quickly. Marine Habitat & Reuse: DNREC expanded Delaware’s artificial reef system by sinking the retired Calcasieu Pass (a former oilfield supply/menhaden ship) at Reef Site 13 after remediation, aiming to boost habitat and fishing/diving opportunities. Local Land Use: Rehoboth Beach area plans moved forward for a 144-resident senior living center and two office buildings near Plantation and Cedar Grove, with stormwater infrastructure planned. Dam Safety: Griffith Lake Dam spillway reconstruction in Milford is set to start, with closures during work to address seepage and reduce dam-failure risk. Community Flood Resilience (regional): Philadelphia’s Eastwick flood plan pairs drainage upgrades, a wetland park, and buyouts to tackle storm surge and heavier rain tied to climate change.

Dam Safety & Recreation: DNREC says reconstruction of the Griffith Lake Dam spillway in Milford starts in August 2026, with parking and the boat ramp closed during work to fix seepage and voids that raise dam-failure risk, aiming to finish by December 2027. Wildlife Disease Response: DNREC adopted emergency deer hunting rules to slow Chronic Wasting Disease, creating a CWD Management Zone in central Sussex County, restricting baiting, and boosting deer check-in and testing starting Aug. 17. Clean Water & Public Health: A PennEnvironment report finds unsafe E. coli levels in many monitored Pennsylvania waterways, with Philadelphia’s stretch of the Delaware River repeatedly exceeding health recommendations—highlighting how stormwater and sewage overflows can make rivers unsafe for swimming. PFAS Accountability: Veolia filed a Delaware lawsuit against nine companies, seeking to recover PFAS treatment costs and keep the burden off drinking-water customers. Climate-Linked Farm Resilience: A state grant helps Bennett Orchards test wind machines to protect fruit from spring freezes after earlier frost losses. Urban Tree Safety: Rehoboth Beach closed Grove Park after a tree assessment found multiple hazardous trees, forcing the farmers’ market to relocate. Mosquito Control: Delaware plans evening mosquito spraying around Milford and parts of Sussex and Kent counties using EPA-registered products.

DNREC Deer Disease Response: Delaware has adopted emergency deer hunting rules to slow chronic wasting disease after it was found in central Sussex County, creating a CWD Management Zone, banning bait/feed to keep deer from gathering, and adding hunter check-in and expanded testing. PFAS Accountability: Veolia filed suit in Delaware Superior Court against nine companies, arguing PFAS contamination is driving costly drinking-water treatment and should be paid by alleged polluters, not about 40,000 Veolia customers. Water Safety in the Region: A PennEnvironment report says unsafe E. coli levels showed up across Pennsylvania waterways, including the Delaware River near Philadelphia, where many testing sites exceeded recommended levels—linked to sewage and stormwater discharges. Local Tree Health: Rehoboth Beach closed Grove Park and relocated the farmers’ market after a Forest Service assessment found multiple hazardous trees, citing soil and root compaction from heavy use. Clean Energy Win: The Food Bank of Delaware in Milford is installing a large rooftop solar array, backed by Energize Delaware funding, expected to save over $2 million over the system’s life. Wildlife & Community: A Bucks County conference next month will focus on compassion for animals and the environment, with speakers including Delaware Riverkeeper Network representatives.

PFAS Lawsuit in Delaware: Veolia, a major Delaware water utility, sued nine companies in Delaware Superior Court, alleging PFAS contamination in waterways that supply about 100,000 residents in New Castle County and warning the firms’ releases forced costly treatment and cleanup. Local Water Safety After Leaks: In Upper Makefield, residents near a Sunoco jet-fuel pipeline leak say they want a permanent public water system, but many doubt current filtration will stay safe long term. Solar for Food Security: The Food Bank of Delaware in Milford is installing a large rooftop solar array, funded by Energize Delaware, aiming to cut energy costs by more than $2 million over the system’s life. Climate Planning in Delaware: Delaware’s climate plan update highlights land-use choices—like protecting forests and wetlands and avoiding flood-prone development—as key tools to reach net-zero goals. Sussex Forest Rules Debate: Sussex County Council members discussed draft forest preservation rules, with concerns the definition and thresholds could end up favoring development over protecting small woodlands. Permitting Speed vs Fairness: Delaware’s JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator will fast-track select broadband and health projects, but the program raises questions about why only some applicants get quicker reviews.

Clean Energy in Delaware: The Food Bank of Delaware in Milford is adding more than 700 rooftop solar panels, backed by a $1 million Energize Delaware grant, expected to cut energy costs by over $2 million and stretch resources to about 6 million more meals. Climate Planning: DNREC is sharing Delaware’s climate plan priorities, including net-zero goals, using land-use choices to cut emissions and manage flood risk, and preparing the workforce for clean energy. Permitting Reform: Delaware is fast-tracking select broadband and ChristianaCare projects through its JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator, aiming for decisions in about six months—while raising questions about why speed is reserved for some applicants. Local Water & Land Protection: Sussex County council debates draft forest preservation rules, with concerns the definition could weaken protections and favor development. Delaware Courts: The Delaware Supreme Court revisits conditions tied to a Sussex County subdivision near wetlands and flooding, remanding one condition and affirming another. Community & Wildlife: Delaware Womenade’s Wimbledon Whiteout raised $10,000 for survivors of abuse, supporting emergency programs.

Flood Response: Indiana’s White River crested above the 1913 benchmark as storms triggered emergency declarations, evacuations, and a FEMA request after multiple deadly floods. Local Water Safety: Upper Makefield residents near a Sunoco jet-fuel pipeline leak are pushing for a permanent public water system, citing lingering well contamination and worries about long-term treatment reliability. Delaware Permitting & Climate: Delaware is fast-tracking select broadband and health projects through a JobsFirst “priority lane,” raising questions about why speed can’t apply to everyone; meanwhile, DNREC/UD-linked climate planning highlights land-use and natural-lands strategies to reach net-zero targets. Chesapeake Bay Pollution: Maryland says it hit nearly all 2025 Bay restoration goals, but some watermen dispute whether the numbers match what they see on the water. Sussex Forest Rules: Sussex County council debates draft forest preservation rules, with concerns the definition could enable “forest destruction” via loopholes and exceptions. DNREC Enforcement: DNREC closed the Seaford Fishing Pier after unsafe structural findings. Wildlife Protection: A New Jersey op-ed warns Trump-era ESA rollbacks could weaken habitat protections for imperiled species.

Chesapeake Bay Pollution Progress (Maryland): Maryland says it hit nearly all 2025 Chesapeake Bay restoration targets—100% for sediment and phosphorus, 99% for nitrogen—but watermen dispute whether the numbers match what they see on the water, as nitrogen and phosphorus drive algal blooms that can fuel low-oxygen “dead zones.” Delaware Climate Plan Update: Delaware’s climate plan leans on land-use choices—protecting farmlands and forests, better wetland management, and avoiding new development in flood-prone areas—to close the gap between current policy and modeled emissions reductions. DNREC & Water Access: DNREC moved to close Seaford’s fishing pier after unsafe structural findings, underscoring ongoing upkeep challenges for coastal infrastructure. Sussex Forest Rules Debate: Sussex County council members weighed how effective draft forest preservation rules will be, with concerns the definition could become “forest destruction” for developers unless key limits stay in place. Permitting Speed vs Fairness (Delaware): Delaware’s JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator will fast-track select broadband and ChristianaCare projects, but critics question why only some applicants get quicker decisions. Shoreline/Water Safety: A Delaware Womenade tennis fundraiser raised $10,000 for emergency programs supporting survivors of abuse, while local beach safety updates continue to matter for summer conditions.

Chesapeake Bay Pollution: Maryland says it hit nearly all 2025 Chesapeake Bay cleanup targets, but some watermen argue the numbers don’t match what they’re seeing on the water—raising fresh questions about how progress is measured and how quickly oxygen-depleting algal blooms are improving. Delaware Climate Plan: Delaware’s climate plan leans heavily on land-use choices—protecting forests and farms, improving wetland management, and steering development away from flood-prone areas—to close the gap between current policy and long-term net-zero goals. DNREC & Coastal Infrastructure: DNREC moved to close the Seaford Fishing Pier after unsafe structural findings, a reminder that coastal recreation depends on ongoing maintenance and inspections. Local Conservation Win: Delaware Wild Lands’ Milford Neck Preserve is expanding after a 37.6-acre donation from The Nature Conservancy, boosting wetland restoration, invasive species control, and wildlife habitat. Sussex Forest Rules: Sussex County council debates how effective draft forest preservation rules will be, with concerns the definition could end up favoring developers. Grid Resilience: Senators Coons and Rounds introduced a bill aimed at strengthening electric grid cybersecurity against future quantum threats.