Bill Text: DE HR39 | 2013-2014 | 147th General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: Recognizing The Unique Outdoor Recreational Attractions And Activities Available In Delaware.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 13-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-26 - Passed in House by Voice Vote [HR39 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2013-HR39-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Smyk;
	Reps. D. Short, Hudson, Briggs King, Dukes, Gray, Kenton, Miro, Peterman, Ramone, Spiegelman, Wilson, Baumbach

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.

RECOGNIZING THE UNIQUE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES AVAILABLEIN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Delaware is exceedingly rich with natural resources and native habitats; and

WHEREAS, the State includes 25 miles of ocean coastline, 841 square miles of bay, 2,509 miles of rivers and streams, and 2,934 acres of lakes and ponds; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's water supply contributes between $2 billion and $6.7 billion annually to the regional economy and the Delaware Estuary raises that estimate to more than $10 billion in annual economic activity from recreation, water quality and supply, hunting and fishing, forest, agriculture, wildlife conservation areas, and parks; and

WHEREAS, Delaware ranks #1 out of all 30 U.S. coastal states in ocean water quality, as determined by the U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council(NRDC), while Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach haveconsistently rated high at 5 star, superstar beaches; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is widely known for its popular and pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, attracting millions of visitors year-round and boosting the First State's economy with millions of tourism and eco-tourism dollars; and

WHEREAS, one of Delaware's "best-kept secrets" is its Bayshore Region from New Castle in the north to the Point of Cape Henlopen in the south, where visitors and residents can enjoy low-impact outdoor recreation including fishing, hunting, birding, wildlife watching, hiking, biking, kayaking, nature photography and more; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's location on the Eastern Flyway makes the First State one of the premier waterfowling and birding areas in the United States, drawing both hunters and birdwatchers as millions of migrating ducks, geese and other waterfowl pass through our airways, waterways, estuaries, woodlands, farms and fields as they journey south in the fall and back north in the spring; a variety of migratory shorebirds also visit Delaware, including red knots and piping plovers; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's Children in Nature Initiative aims to involve children in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity, and promote healthy lifestyles as part of the national No Child Left Inside program; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's mission is "to conserve and manage Delaware's fish and wildlife resources, provide safe and enjoyable fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities"; and

WHEREAS, DNREC operates and maintains 16 state parks and 28 nature preserves and greenways totaling more than 26,000 acres, and 19 wildlife areas and one conservation easement area totaling more than 60,000 acres throughout Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Delaware has premier opportunities to allow more public access along its coastal waterways for alternative public transportation and recreation called "Blueways", such as the public water shuttle transportation along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, the Broadkill River, and the Mispillion River,in addition to Greenways as part of the overall trails network; and

WHEREAS, Delaware has  more than 563 miles of  shared-use trails serving bicyclists, hikers, walkers, equestrians and nature enthusiasts that support non-motorized travel and outdoor recreation opportunities and connect Delawareans and visitors with the outdoors; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Outdoor Trail features outdoor adventures that include walking/hiking/running activities, biking activities, wildlife viewing and water activities that showcase Delaware's diverse natural beauty and assist travelers in exploring trails and outdoor attractions throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is ranked 4^th in the nation among Bicycle Friendly States in 2014 for  efforts to increase the reach of existing trails and pathways, while constructing new trails, where opportunities are the greatest; and

WHEREAS, Delaware boasts a healthy abundance of large and small game animals and birds, including white-tailed deer, Eastern wild turkeys, and a dozen other species that attract wildlife and bird watchers, hunters, and outdoor sports enthusiasts to Delaware, thereby contributing to our conservation economy; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's 17^th annual "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" weekend is slated for October 3^rdthrough 5^th at Cape Henlopen State Park, offering a unique opportunity to learn or hone outdoor skills such as archery, surf fishing, camping, shotgun handling, basic boating, canoe/kayaking, hunting, fly-fishing, and nature photography; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's two national wildlife refuges, Bombay Hook near Smyrna and Prime Hook near Milton, are great places to go birding, especially during the spring and fall migrations where you can spot some 400-plus species; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) preserves slightly more than 6,200 acres in two components – the Blackbird Creek Reserve in Townsend and the St. Jones Reserve in Dover – through coastal stewardship as a place for research and education, promoting better understanding and informed decision-making about our coastal and estuarine resources; and

WHEREAS, Lewes Canal Front has a convenient public boat ramp that is open year round, one of more than 50 public boat launches throughout the state, along with nearly 60 tidal and freshwater fishing access areas; and

WHEREAS, Delaware offers anglers a wide range of fresh water and salt water fishing opportunities year-round, including black sea bass season May 19^th through September 18^th, and October 1^stthrough December 31^st , and tautog season July 17^th through August 31^st, and September 29^th through December 31^st; and

WHEREAS, on June 7^th and 8^th Delaware had its annual "free fishing days" when anyone could fish for free; and

WHEREAS, DNREC has slated a number of"Take a Kid Fishing" days, when kids fish free, including June 21^st at the Aquatic Resource Education Center in Smyrna, and July 19^th at Redden State Forest in Georgetown; and

WHEREAS, special hunting days are set each year for youth and non-ambulatory disabled hunters to hone their waterfowl, turkey and deer hunting skills; a variety of facilities from boat ramps to deer stands and waterfowl blinds also are equipped to accommodate disabled and handicapped users; and

WHEREAS, the Aquatic Resource Education Center near Smyrna offers a variety of educational programs for schools and youth groups, from teaching fishing skills to learning about marsh life and water quality; and

WHEREAS, the DuPont Nature Center near Slaughter Beach provides a great viewing area for the annual spectacle of horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds, drawing visitors from all over the country and the world, in addition to educational programs and aquariums offering a close-up look at a multitude of native aquatic species; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's state park system provides a valuable opportunity for educators as outdoor classrooms, and an immense resource for outdoor recreation including summer sports camps, hiking, fishing, and swimming, while providing recreational opportunities all year-round; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Seashore State Park has beach walks from May to August when you can walk with a park ranger and learn about the creatures that livejust offshore by collecting items that wash up on the beach; and

WHEREAS, Cape Henlopen State Park is a favorite with visitors and residents alike, offering drive-on beaches for surf fishing, a disc golf course along the sandy dunes, and a slice of history at Fort Miles, among its many attractions; and

WHEREAS, Trap Pond State Park has biking trails and activities that are often free for the entire family and is the most northern point for bald cypress trees; and

WHEREAS, Killens Pond State Park has activities for all ages in its nature center, and you can go "glamping" in rental cabins or cool off at its water park featuring thrilling slides, toddler splash areas and a zero-entry pool; and 

WHEREAS, Lums Pond State Park has a high-flying zip line adventure through the park; and

WHEREAS, northern Delaware has the Mt. Cuba Center and the Nemours mansions and gardens which are great places to see spring flowers in bloom; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's Natural Resources Police strive for public compliance through education and enforcement actions to help conserve Delaware's fish and wildlife resources, habitats and natural areas, and to ensure safe boating and public safety on the state's waterways, wild lands and parklands; and

WHEREAS, DNREC's mission also encompasses education and outreach, including boating safety education courses and a variety of hunter education courses, as well as offering a public shooting range, Ommelanden Hunter Education Center, to promote public safety; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's resident and visiting hunters, anglers and outdoor sports enthusiasts serve as the backbone of the conservation community, contributing millions of dollars in Delaware licensing fees and in voluntary fees and taxes to the federal Pittman-Robertson Fund, to help support the state's conservation efforts and further enhance DNREC's ability to safeguard and nurture the First State's fin, fur and feather resources and their habitats.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 147^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that we recommend everyone take the time to explore Delaware's natural wonders – sandy beaches, coastal forests, nature preserves and waterways – and choose "from adventures mild or wild."

SYNOPSIS

This resolution highlights the many and diverse outdoor recreational attractions available in The First State.