Conservation News
State dredge plan yields suggestion to stem fish kills
By Michale Short
A new proposed dredging plan for Delaware's inland bays drew a mixed audience reaction during a public hearing April 11.
The plan offered an update on the criteria used to decide what areas get dredged in the inland bays, an environmental practice that has fallen out of favor in the minds of many.
Critics of dredging argued that dredging does environmental harm by disturbing important habitat. Til Purnell and Steve Callanen said dredging usually does more harm than good and Callanen said people have no right to expect deep water at their doorstep when the inland bays are notoriously shallow.
The plan won't eliminate dredging, although it's far more tightly regulated than it was years ago. The proposal is an update of the old plan, which dates back to approximately 1985.
Supporters of more dredging said waterways are becoming more shallow and that the state is falling down on its responsibility to keep waterways open for boating.
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