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Briefing on NOAA’s Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program and Urban Waters Federal Partnership for Congressman John Carney in Wilmington

OR&R's Simeon Hahn and partners from the state, city and community met with Congressman John Carney, staff from Senators Coons and Carper, notable officials from the City of Wilmington, and community leaders to discuss a variety of urban revitalization and restoration issues.

This two-hour event was held on September 26 in Wilmington, Delaware, and included presentations, discussions and site visits.

Simeon presented NOAA’s efforts to support a resilient Wilmington coastal community via brownfields revitalization opportunities and the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP), and cleanup and restoration of waste sites and oil spills via the Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) program. Community leaders and city officials presented options for urban watershed revitalization and plans for the South Wilmington Wetlands Restoration Project, which NOAA had provided some funding for. The Wilmington area faces multiple challenges related to brownfields, waste sites, limited open space, flooding, and combined sewer overflows (CSO). It was recognized that these problems also present opportunities that require thoughtful, integrated solutions that include cleanup and habitat restoration, redevelopment, and infrastructure upgrades that promote economic development, recreation, resiliency from climate change, and improved quality of life. NOAA's contributions to helping improve conditions in the Brandywine River watershed were noted by the community and city officials.

Congressman Carney, who grew up in the area, was particularly engaged and asked several questions regarding brownfields projects, cleanup and restoration opportunities, CSO’s, and the UWFP. The discussions continued on site visits to a large brownfields site and quarry in Brandywine Village and to the Kalmar Nyckle waste site.

For further information, contact Tom.Brosnan@noaa.gov.

Go back to OR&R Weekly Report.

Three men walking on a road.
NOAA’s Simeon Hahn (on left) on a tour of a Wilmington brownfields site along the Brandywine River with Congressman John Carney and Jeffrey Starkey, Wilmington Public Works Commissioner.
Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:54pm PST