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MILFORD, DEL. —
THE DETAILS Sen. Gary Simpson (R-Milford) and Rep. Harvey Kenton (R-Milford) sponsored a meeting at the Carlisle Fire Hall in Milford to discuss and explain the plans for correcting flood problems at the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge as well as the continuing threat that the flooding produces for more than 200 homeowners in the area.
They had U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials provide the community with a presentation regarding the challenges to the current marsh system. Susan Guiteras, the wild life biologist for the refuge, also explained how the ecology and hydrology of the area contribute to the breaches at Fowlers Beach as well as flooding at Prime Hook Road.
Michael Stroeh, manager of the refuge, also presented information regarding the refuge’s comprehensive planning process that included the complexities required to gain federal environmental clearance that is needed for any substantial work that occurs in the refuge, including any potential action on the breaches.
THE PRESENTATION The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offered people a background of the refuges as well as information regarding the marshes, sea level rise, and overwash in both Unit 1 and Unit 2.
The science behind restoration, the impact on the roadways, and plans for the future were also covered.
Stroeh noted that he understood the concerns of the community and hoped that people who attended the meeting left with more answers than questions regarding a subject that is close to many hearts: possibly losing a hard-earned home.
“Unfortunately, everyone focuses on the dunes as a solution to the flooding but that just postpones things,” Stroeh said. “My job is to be concerned with the whole system. We still have a lot of questions and we’re still collecting data.”
Many people had questions and comments regarding the future of their homes as well as the process involved in completing the refuge’s comprehensive conservation plan.
Many people seemed to have similar views, stating that the people and their homes should be given more consideration than the animals and wildlife of the refuge.
Dr. Jack Gingrich a retired biologist with a home in Slaughter Beach was the first to speak and many people echoed his remarks Friday night.
“We as humans are a part of the ecosystem and we deserve as much consideration as species in the marsh, refuge, and so forth, in my view,” Gingrich said. “Secondly, the Corps of Engineers has had a plan on the books for at least 15 years to provide dredged sand from the channel that would solve a good deal of these problems if it were not being impeded by all kinds of other extraneous facts.”
THE DETAILS Sen. Gary Simpson (R-Milford) and Rep. Harvey Kenton (R-Milford) sponsored a meeting at the Carlisle Fire Hall in Milford to discuss and explain the plans for correcting flood problems at the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge as well as the continuing threat that the flooding produces for more than 200 homeowners in the area.
They had U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials provide the community with a presentation regarding the challenges to the current marsh system. Susan Guiteras, the wild life biologist for the refuge, also explained how the ecology and hydrology of the area contribute to the breaches at Fowlers Beach as well as flooding at Prime Hook Road.
Michael Stroeh, manager of the refuge, also presented information regarding the refuge’s comprehensive planning process that included the complexities required to gain federal environmental clearance that is needed for any substantial work that occurs in the refuge, including any potential action on the breaches.
THE PRESENTATION The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offered people a background of the refuges as well as information regarding the marshes, sea level rise, and overwash in both Unit 1 and Unit 2.
The science behind restoration, the impact on the roadways, and plans for the future were also covered.
Stroeh noted that he understood the concerns of the community and hoped that people who attended the meeting left with more answers than questions regarding a subject that is close to many hearts: possibly losing a hard-earned home.
“Unfortunately, everyone focuses on the dunes as a solution to the flooding but that just postpones things,” Stroeh said. “My job is to be concerned with the whole system. We still have a lot of questions and we’re still collecting data.”
Many people had questions and comments regarding the future of their homes as well as the process involved in completing the refuge’s comprehensive conservation plan.
Many people seemed to have similar views, stating that the people and their homes should be given more consideration than the animals and wildlife of the refuge.
Dr. Jack Gingrich a retired biologist with a home in Slaughter Beach was the first to speak and many people echoed his remarks Friday night.
“We as humans are a part of the ecosystem and we deserve as much consideration as species in the marsh, refuge, and so forth, in my view,” Gingrich said. “Secondly, the Corps of Engineers has had a plan on the books for at least 15 years to provide dredged sand from the channel that would solve a good deal of these problems if it were not being impeded by all kinds of other extraneous facts.”
