The Delaware Water Resources Center, University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration Water Resources Agency, Delaware Geological Survey, Center for Inland Bays, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control co-sponsored a public water quality forum with the University of Delaware on October 2, 2003 at the University's Clayton Hall in Newark.   More than 120 people attended the event.  Lee Ann Walling, Deputy Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office and Special Advisor to Governor Minner was the Keynote Speaker.

This important event brought together residents, state, county, and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, industry, commercial interests, students and others with an interest in Delaware water resources.  Discussion focused on the current status and future trends of land use change and consequent water quality impacts. A variety of speakers discussed a broad range of topics related to land use and water quality in Delaware.

There are many perspectives and challenges associated with land use planning and water quality in our state.  Ed Ratledge, Director of the Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research at the University of Delaware was the first speaker of the day and set the stage for the those who followed.   He discussed the historical perspective and pointed to future trends of land use change in Delaware.  His presentation included eye-opening information, including population growth and housing development trends.  We learned that:

• The number of acres of farmland is decreasing.  Delaware had around 900,000 acres of farmland in 1920.  Now we have about 580,000 acres in the state.  Famland acres are projected to continue to decrease until we reach about 380,000 acres by 2030.

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• The number of housing units in the state is increasing, but there are fewer people living in each unit today.
• Every 2 person household requires approximately 1.5 acres of land.   This figure includes living space plus work space, rights of way, shopping, etc.
• Middletown and the Appoquinimink watershed is currently the area with the most growth in the state.
• The average commute in Delaware is 20-24 minutes.  Only about 3% of people use transit and most commuters drive alone rather than carpooling.

Following Ed Ratledge’s opening presentation, Dr. Tom Sims, Director of the Water Resources Center, moderated four speakers on the current status of and major challenges for Delaware’s water quality. 

Kevin Donnelly, Director of the Division of Water Resources for DNREC presented an overview of the state basin and the multitude of water quality problems we see in Delaware today. He talked about the 2002 305(b) Report, development and land use in the Appoquinimink watershed, public health protection areas and activities, and the extensive volunteer water monitoring network in Delaware.

Dr. John Mackenzie, associate professor in the Food and Resource Economics Department at the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, continued the discussion of the status and challenges for water quality by discussing the trends in agricultural land use and water quality challenges faced by agriculture.  He talked about the range of environmental benefits provided by land protection, pointing out that water quality and habitat quality seem to be secondary, compared to other concerns people have, such as the visual quality of land.

Scott Andres, a senior scientist with the Delaware Geological Survey, discussed how mapping groundwater recharge areas is important for state and local land use plans that address water quality.   His perspective is that groundwater and surface water contamination are usually directly related to land-use.  he also believes that “excellent recharge areas” should be afforded higher protection status because contamination in such areas can create major impacts to our groundwater supplies and quality.

Dave Athey, from URS Corporation, works with DelDot on Phase II of the NPDES Stormwater Program.  He talked about how stormwater management programs in Delaware, along with current and planned activities by DelDOT, involve efforts to develop land use plans that protect and improve water quality.   Direct and indirect impacts of roadways included in additional development and changes to watershed hydrology are important factors in our future.  He mentioned factors that can be controlled, such as paved areas, drainage methods, and the traffic amounts.  Planning in these areas help mitigate uncontrollable factors, including precipitation levels and receiving waterway characteristics.

Connie Holland, Director of the Office of State Planning and Coordination, spoke about the state’s effort to link land use and water quality.  She discussed House Bill 255, which states that municipalities must have a comprehensive land use plan that protects and improves water quality.  She also covered OSPC's role in Livable Delaware, established by Executive Order 14, and the passing of the PLUS bill.

Speakers in the following session, moderated by Jerry Kauffman, Director of the Water Resources Agency, discussed local perspectives about the link between land use and water quality.  Speakers were Charles Baker, New Castle County Department of Planning; Hans Metlarz, Kent County Department of Public Works; and Bruce Richards, Director of the Center for Inland Bays.  They covered current and planned county-level efforts to develop comprehensive land use plans to help improve and protect water quality.

Charles Baker talked about property rights issues, flood plains, and the “Environment First” ordinance implemented by New Castle County.  He suggested that responsibility for water resources should be combined in Delaware; currently water resources responsibility is fragmented amongst state, county and municipal agencies.

Hans Medlarz talked about Kent County’s investment in sanitation services, including $14 million for new transmission lines and pump stations to improve service.

Bruce Richards closed the day by with his discussion about property rights issues, especially those surrounding property values in Sussex County.

As we move forward, there are many complex issues surrounding the question of how to best manage coming changes for Delaware.  Your participation in the process is valuable to your neighbors and the rest of us, and we look forward to taking part with you now and in the future.

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