Delaware CMP Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

Delaware CMP Key Terms & Definitions

Beach Nourishment: The process of adding sand or sediment to a beach area to combat erosion and improve coastal resilience. Beach nourishment projects are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Management Program.

Coastal Waters: Waters within the coastal zone of Delaware, as defined by the Delaware Coastal Management Program. The program regulates activities that may impact the quality and ecology of these waters.

Coastal Zone: The geographic area covered by the Delaware Coastal Management Program, which includes the state's coastline and inland areas up to the boundary of the coastal watersheds. The specific boundaries are delineated in Section 2 of the program regulations.

Coastal Zone Act: The Delaware Coastal Zone Act, which is the primary statutory authority for the Delaware Coastal Management Program. The act is codified in Title 7, Chapter 70 of the Delaware Code.

Cumulative Impacts: The combined environmental effects of multiple activities or projects within the coastal zone. Following the Delaware Audubon Society v. DNREC case in 2020, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) must consider cumulative impacts when reviewing permit applications under the Delaware Coastal Management Program.

Delaware Coastal Management Program (DCMP): A comprehensive environmental regulation established in 1979 to protect and manage Delaware's coastal resources while balancing economic development and public access. The program is administered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC): The state agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Delaware Coastal Management Program. DNREC works in collaboration with other state agencies, local governments, and stakeholders to achieve the program's goals.

Dredging: The removal of sediment from waterways to maintain or improve navigation channels, marinas, and other coastal infrastructure. Dredging activities within the coastal zone are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Management Program.

Dunes: Natural or artificial ridges of sand or sediment that provide coastal protection and habitat. The Delaware Coastal Management Program regulates activities that may impact the integrity and function of dunes within the coastal zone.

Enforcement Actions: Measures taken by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to address violations of the Delaware Coastal Management Program. These may include notices of violation, administrative orders, civil penalties, and criminal penalties.

Estuaries: Partially enclosed coastal bodies of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean. The Delaware Coastal Management Program works to maintain the health and productivity of the state's estuaries.

Filling: The placement of material, such as sand, sediment, or rock, into wetlands, waterways, or other coastal areas to create new land or alter the existing landscape. Filling activities within the coastal zone are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Management Program.

Hazardous Materials: Substances that pose a potential threat to human health or the environment due to their toxicity, flammability, or other dangerous properties. The Delaware Coastal Management Program prohibits the dumping or disposal of hazardous materials within the coastal zone.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: Pollution that originates from diffuse sources, such as runoff from agricultural lands, urban areas, or construction sites. The Delaware Coastal Management Program regulates nonpoint source pollution to protect the quality of coastal waters.

Permitting Requirements: The specific conditions and criteria that must be met to obtain a permit for activities regulated under the Delaware Coastal Management Program. These requirements are outlined in Section 3 of the program regulations.

Point Source Pollution: Pollution that originates from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or outfall. The Delaware Coastal Management Program regulates point source pollution to protect the quality of coastal waters.

Regulated Activities: Actions or projects that are subject to the provisions of the Delaware Coastal Management Program, such as dredging, filling, construction, and discharge of pollutants. The specific regulated activities are defined in the program regulations.

Regulated Entities: Individuals, organizations, or companies that engage in activities subject to the Delaware Coastal Management Program. These may include industrial facilities, commercial developments, and public infrastructure projects.

Salt Marshes: Coastal wetlands dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation, which provide important habitat and ecosystem services. The Delaware Coastal Management Program works to conserve and restore salt marshes within the coastal zone.

Seagrass Beds: Underwater meadows of flowering plants that provide critical habitat for marine life and help stabilize coastal sediments. The Delaware Coastal Management Program works to protect and restore seagrass beds within the coastal zone.

Shoreline Protection Structures: Engineered features, such as seawalls, bulkheads, and revetments, designed to protect coastal properties from erosion and storm damage. The construction and maintenance of shoreline protection structures within the coastal zone are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Management Program.

Tidal Wetlands: Wetlands that are subject to regular inundation by tidal waters. The Delaware Coastal Management Program regulates activities that may impact the ecological functions of tidal wetlands, such as dredging and filling.

Untreated Waste: Wastewater or other materials that have not undergone proper treatment to remove pollutants or contaminants. The Delaware Coastal Management Program prohibits the discharge of untreated waste into coastal waters.

Violations: Actions or omissions that contravene the provisions of the Delaware Coastal Management Program. Violations may result in enforcement actions and penalties, as outlined in Section 5 of the program regulations.

Wetlands: Areas that are inundated or saturated by water, either permanently or seasonally, and support vegetation adapted to wetland conditions. The Delaware Coastal Management Program regulates activities that may degrade the ecological functions of both tidal and non-tidal wetlands within the coastal zone.