WHO HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT PROBLEMS ON THE NANTICOKE RIVER

 
DNREC - Former Secretary John Hughes did not consider boats or barges an issue. Present Secretary Omeara seems more environmentally sensitive and will hopefully address the problems. U.S. COAST GUARD - Transferred problem from the Baltimore sector to the Delaware Bay sector. They now say they will penalize barges that hit docks or the shoreline - but have done nothing about the previous collisions. The USCG is now actively enforcing barge/tug regulations on the Nanticoke River - but only when violations are reported to the USCG. So there has to be witnesses and many of these Barges/Tugs operate after dark. SUSSEX COUNTY - Is supporting dredging the Nanticoke River so larger barges will have a chance to cause more damage. The damage is being done when the barges leave the navigation channel of the river. It has not been demonstrated that dredging is absolutely necessary -- but dredging could definitely make the problem worse. (See Loaded vs. Empty Barges) CORPS OF ENGINEERS - The Corps is responsible for maintaining a safe navigation channel - but have not done anything to stop the damage and are supporting dredging the river. There has not been any obvious effort by the Corps to make needed changes in navigation channel markers. Nor any support for homeowners on the river. However, the Corps seems to have unlimited funds to pump sand onto beaches? (See Dredging the Nanticoke) (Also see Where the Money Goes) BARGE COMPANIES - Are being a little more cautious now that the U.S. Coast Guard is watching more closely. However they have not done anything about the damage already caused. They are also supporting dredging the Nanticoke River AND ACCIDENTS ARE CONTINUING TO HAPPEN. WHO KNOWS OF THE DAMAGE AND HAS ONLY REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO OTHERS?? Former Governor Minner Representative Gerald Hocker U.S. Senator (now Vice President) Joseph Biden U.S. Representative Michael Castle Numerous Delaware State Senators and Representatives DNREC Administration U.S. Corps of Engineers Sussex County Council and Administrators. Who has shown concern for problems on the Nanticoke River: U.S. Senator Carper Senator Thurman Adams (deceased) Senator Robert Venables Representative Dan Short Representative Joe Booth (now State Senator) U.S. Coast Guard Loaded_vs_Empty_Barge.htmlDredging_the_Nanticoke_River.htmlWhere_the_Money_Goes.htmlWhere_the_Money_Goes.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3