Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control finalized regulations for permits to develop areas of the state’s coastal zone.
This comes after a public comment period during which the regulations received criticism from both developersm who say they are “burdensome,” and environmentalists, who say they weaken protections for Delaware’s coastal environment.
“The regulations themselves do not appear to have significantly changed from the draft that was available to the public, prior to the June 24 public hearing, to the present day version, but they are the finalization of the regulations that are now going to govern that conversion permit process,” said Ken Kristl, Director of Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center at Widener University’s Delaware Law School.
The regulations take effect later this week. The permits will allow for heavy industry development at 14 different sites in Delaware’s coastal zone.
Kristl says he’s concerned an October first deadline may have rushed the process to create the regulations.
