NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
March 13, 2009 -Vol. 39, No. 88
For more information, contact Maria Sadler, Environmental Scientist, 302-739-9921, or Joanna C. Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Citizens Reminded to Keep Off-Road Vehicles Off Beaches, Wildlife Areas
Driving trucks, ATVs and other off road vehicles on the beach may seem fun and adventurous, but the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control would like to remind citizens that they must follow laws and regulations.
Driving four-wheel drive and other off road vehicles is unlawful in coastal areas managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, including state owned and maintained beaches and state wildlife areas. On property managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the law requires that vehicles must stay on designated and established roadways. All vehicles must have a current vehicle registration and the operator must have a valid driver’s license.
Delaware State Parks offers limited off-road vehicle access by permit only to several park beach areas for the sole purpose of surf fishing. Four-wheel drive vehicles with permits may enter and leave the beach only at designated dune crossings and must meet requirements which include carrying a low pressure tire gauge, tow rope/chain and a board, jack and shovel.
“No one should ever drive on or over the dunes except at designated vehicle crossings. Driving should only take place on that portion of the beach which lies below the toe of the dune, the wrack line and vegetation,” said Environment Scientist Maria Sadler of the Shoreline and Waterway Management Section. “Besides damaging the protective dunes and vegetation, vehicles can disturb wildlife, including horseshoe crabs, turtles, shorebirds, beach nesters and other rare species that may stop to rest and feed on horseshoe crab eggs.”
On private property, a person wishing to drive a vehicle off-road must obtain the landowner’s express permission. If you don’t have permission to drive on someone’s land, it is against the law to do so without their approval. People driving on the beach on privately owned lots are trespassing on private property.
Here are some additional details to keep in mind:
· Along the Delaware Bay, in communities such as Pickering Beach, Kitts Hummock Beach, Bowers Beach, South Bowers Beach, Big Stone Beach, Broadkill Beach, and Prime Hook Beach, many of the property owners own land down to the mean high water line. Driving on these beaches without the property owner’s permission is trespassing.
· Many communities have signed easement agreements with the DNREC Division of Soil and Water Conservation allowing the public to use the beaches for recreation in exchange for preservation and maintenance of the beach and dune. This means that the public is permitted to access the beach area through public access points for walking, swimming, sunbathing and fishing on the beach. It does not give people permission to drive on those beaches.
· The damage or destruction of beach grass or other vegetation growing on any state-owned or maintained beach seaward of the building line is prohibited and a violation of the Regulations Governing Beach Protection and the Use of Beaches.
Violators of these regulations can face arrest, fines up to $5,000, and, in some cases, a very large tow bill or flooding of the vehicle if they get stuck in the sand.
Violators can be reported to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources Enforcement office by calling 800-523-3336.
For more information about Fish and Wildlife managed properties, please contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-739-9913.
For more information about vehicle beach access and requirements on Delaware State Parks properties, to obtain a vehicle beach permit or for information about surf fishing, please call 302-739-9220 or visit http://www.destateparks.com/activities/fishing/index.asp.