DCZAP Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

DCZAP Key Terms & Definitions

Bulk Product Transfer Facility: A port or dock facility that is used for the transfer of bulk products, including, but not limited to, crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal, from vessel to onshore or vice versa. These facilities are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act to minimize their environmental impact on the coastal zone. (7 Del. C. § 7002)

Coastal Waters: The waters of the State located within the boundaries of the coastal zone, including the edge of the sea and all waters draining into the sea. This term is used throughout the Delaware Coastal Zone Act to define the geographic scope of the regulation. (7 Del. C. § 7002)

Coastal Zone: The specific geographic area within the State of Delaware that is subject to the provisions of the Delaware Coastal Zone Act. The coastal zone is defined as all that area of the State, whether land, water, or subaqueous land, between the territorial limits of Delaware in the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and Atlantic Ocean, and a line formed by certain Delaware highways and roads. (7 Del. C. § 7002)

Coastal Zone Conversion Permit: A permit issued under the 2017 amendments to the Delaware Coastal Zone Act that allows for the redevelopment of 14 former industrial sites within the coastal zone. These permits are subject to strict environmental standards and public input requirements. (7 Del. C. § 7014)

Coastal Zone Permit: A permit issued by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) for the construction, operation, or maintenance of a facility or activity within the coastal zone. The permit may include conditions to ensure compliance with the Delaware Coastal Zone Act and its implementing regulations. (7 Del. C. § 7004)

Dredging: The removal of materials, including sand, gravel, silt, and mud, from the bottom of waterways, such as rivers, bays, and harbors. Dredging activities within the Delaware coastal zone are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act to minimize their environmental impact. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Environmental Impact Assessment: A detailed analysis of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or activity within the coastal zone. The assessment must consider factors such as air and water quality, wildlife and habitat, and public health and safety. (7 DE Admin. Code 101, Section 7.0)

Filling: The depositing of materials, such as sand, gravel, or soil, into waterways or wetlands to create new land or to elevate existing land. Filling activities within the Delaware coastal zone are regulated under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act to minimize their environmental impact. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Grandfathering Provision: A clause in the Delaware Coastal Zone Act that allows certain existing heavy industry facilities to continue operating within the coastal zone, even though they may not meet the current environmental standards or permitting requirements. These provisions are intended to balance environmental protection with economic considerations. (7 Del. C. § 7004)

Heavy Industry: Manufacturing facilities and operations that are characterized by the use of large amounts of raw materials, energy, and water, and the production of significant quantities of waste or pollutants. Examples include oil refineries, steel mills, and chemical plants. New heavy industry development is prohibited within the Delaware coastal zone. (7 Del. C. § 7002)

Manufacturing Facility: A building or structure where raw materials are processed and transformed into finished products. The construction and operation of manufacturing facilities within the Delaware coastal zone are subject to permitting requirements and environmental standards under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Offset: A compensatory measure that is required as a condition of a Coastal Zone Conversion Permit to mitigate the environmental impacts of redeveloping a former industrial site within the coastal zone. Offsets may include the restoration of wetlands, the reduction of air or water pollution, or the conservation of natural resources. (7 Del. C. § 7014)

Oil Refineries: Industrial facilities that process crude oil into various petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. The construction and operation of new oil refineries are prohibited within the Delaware coastal zone. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Pipelines: Infrastructure used for the transportation of liquids or gases, such as oil, natural gas, or water, over long distances. The construction and operation of pipelines within the Delaware coastal zone are subject to permitting requirements and environmental standards under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Port: A harbor or dock where ships load and unload cargo or passengers. Port facilities within the Delaware coastal zone are subject to permitting requirements and environmental standards under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act, particularly if they involve the transfer of bulk products. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Public Hearing: A formal meeting or proceeding where members of the public are invited to provide comments and input on a proposed project or activity within the coastal zone. Public hearings are required as part of the permitting process for certain activities under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act. (7 Del. C. § 7004)

Recycling: The process of collecting, sorting, and processing waste materials, such as paper, glass, and plastics, for reuse in the manufacturing of new products. The Delaware Coastal Zone Act encourages the development of recycling facilities within the coastal zone as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heavy industry. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Redevelopment: The process of repurposing or rebuilding on a site that has previously been developed, often for a different use than its original purpose. The 2017 amendments to the Delaware Coastal Zone Act allow for the redevelopment of 14 former industrial sites within the coastal zone, subject to certain conditions and permitting requirements. (7 Del. C. § 7014)

Steel Mills: Industrial facilities that produce steel from raw materials, such as iron ore and coal, using a variety of processes, including smelting, refining, and casting. The construction and operation of new steel mills are prohibited within the Delaware coastal zone. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Transmission Lines: Infrastructure used for the transmission of electricity from power generation facilities to substations and distribution networks. The construction and operation of transmission lines within the Delaware coastal zone are subject to permitting requirements and environmental standards under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Waste Handling: The collection, transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Waste handling facilities within the Delaware coastal zone are subject to permitting requirements and environmental standards under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act. (7 Del. C. § 7003)

Wetlands: Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands are protected under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act, and any activities that involve the filling or dredging of wetlands require a permit from DNREC. (7 Del. C. § 7002)