The Sussex County Council is in the process of updating the county buffer ordinance. This ordinance sets the parameters for natural buffers that new development must follow. These natural buffers are important to maintaining the health of Delaware's coastal ecosystems and waterways, including our wetlands. The county used a working group to update the current ordinance, however several of their suggestions were removed or changed. We are asking for the county to reconsider the original suggestions and to update the ordinance.
The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) has made several suggestions that we as a chapter support. We have contacted the County Council directly with a letter from Brian Moran, the chapter Chair, stating our position. We have also published a Letter to the Editor which was published in the Coastal Point and Cape Gazette. Select this link to see the Coastal Point letter.
The next Sussex County Council hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for February 22. You can let your voice be heard by contacting the Sussex County Council directly. Contact information for the council is located on this website. You can also attend the hearing in person and add public comment.
The CIB will be hosting an information webinar if you are interested in hearing more about the buffer ordinance. You can find more information at their website.