Management Plan 2004-2009

Full Version (, 5MB) or by individual sections:

Advisory Committee Members, Acknowledgments, Table of Contents, List of Acronyms & Abbreviations

I. Overview

1. Purpose and Scope of this Management Plan
2. Brief Introduction to the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

II. Introduction

1. The Value of Estuaries
2. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System
   1. The Coastal Zone Management Act
   2. Mission and Goals of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
   3. Administrative Framework of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
   4. Designation and Operation of National Estuarine Research Reserves
   5. Reserve Management Plans
   6. Nationwide Programs of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
3. The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
   1. Establishment and Mission of the Reserve
   2. Setting, Boundaries, and Ownership of the Two Reserve Sites
      • Upper Blackbird Creek Reserve Component
      • Lower St. Jones River Reserve Component

III. Mission, Goals, and Objectives of the DNERR

1. Overall Mission of the DNERR
2. Administration Goals and Objectives
3. Facilities and Construction Goals and Objectives
4. Public Access Goals and Objectives
5. Education, Interpretation, and Outreach Goals and Objectives
6. Research and Monitoring Goals and Objectives
7. Stewardship Goals and Objectives
   1. Resource Protection Goals and Objectives
   2. Boundaries and Land Acquisition Goals and Objectives

IV. Accomplishments

1. rganizational Realignment
2. Development of Sites and Facilities
   1. St. Jones Center
   2. Trail/Boardwalk
   3. Blackbird Creek Reserve Component
3. Development of Educational Exhibits and Publications
4. Expansion of Education Program
5. Research and Monitoring Program
6. Establishment of Partnerships
7. Section 312 Evaluation

V. Administration Plan

1. Historical Perspective
2. Goals and Objectives
3. State Administration of the Reserve and Related Programs
4. Reserve Staff Responsibilities
   1. Reserve Management
   2. St. Jones Center Operations and Maintenance
   3. Research and Monitoring
   4. Education, Interpretation, and Outreach
   5. Resource Protection
      • Enforcement
      • Stewardship
5. Volunteers
6. Interns
7. Cooperative Efforts
8. Advisory Committee – Structure and Responsibilities
   1. Management Subcommittee
   2. Research Subcommittee
   3. Education Subcommittee
9. Federal Review and Regulation
   1. Roles and Responsibilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
   2. National Historic Preservation Act
10. Action Plan for Administration

VI. Facilities and Construction Plan

1. Goals and Objectives
2. Existing Facilities
   1. Public Access
   2. Research Laboratories
   3. Education Facilities and Exhibits
   4. Conference Facilities
   5. Coastal Resource Library
   6. Trail/Boardwalk
3. Proposed Facility Expansion Plan
   1. Connecting Structure
   2. Conference Space
   3. Dormitory
   4. Library
4. Blackbird Facility Development
   1. Visitor Center
   2. Interpretive Trail
   3. Canoe/Kayak Launch
5. Action Plan for Facilities and Construction

VII. Public Access Plan

1. Goals and Objectives
2. General Access Policy
3. Site-Specific Access Policies
   1. Lower St. Jones River Reserve Component
   2. Upper Blackbird Creek Reserve Component
4. Boat and Canoe Access
5. Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping
6. Other Uses
7. Action Plan for Public Access

VIII. Education, Interpretation, and Outreach Plan

1. Goals and Objectives
2. Site-Specific Facilities and Resources
   1. St. Jones Reserve Component and Adjacent Areas
   2. Blackbird Creek Reserve Component
3. Types of Activities
   1. Workshops and Training in Informed Coastal Decision-Making
   2. Programs for the General Public
   3. Programs for Students
   4. Programs for Educators
4. Publications and Promotional Events
5. Coordination and Cooperative Efforts
   1. Coordination of Educational Activities at the Reserve
   2. Coordination with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
   3. Coordination with Other Educational Programs
6. Coastal Training Program
7. Action Plan for Education, Interpretation, and Outreach

IX. Research and Monitoring Plan

1. Issues Facing the DNERR
2. Goals and Objectives
3. Research and Monitoring Topics and Priorities
   1. National Programs
      • System-Wide Monitoring Program
      • Protected Areas Geographic Information System
      • Graduate Research Fellowship Program
   2. Research and Monitoring at the Delaware Reserve
      • Physical Estuarine Research
      • Cultural Estuarine Research
4. Research Value of the Reserve
   1. St. Jones River Reserve Component
   2. Blackbird Creek Reserve Component
5. Research Policies and Procedures
   1. Guidelines
   2. Recruitment
   3. Off-Reserve Projects
   4. Coordination of Efforts
      • Coordination between Reserve Components
      • Coordination with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
      • Coordination with Other Coastal/Estuarine Research Programs
6. Funding Opportunities
7. Dissemination of Information and Results
8. Action Plan for Research and Monitoring

X. Stewardship Plan

1. Resource Protection
   1. Goals and Objectives
   2. General Policies
   3. Land Protection Outside Reserve Boundaries
   4. Laws and Regulations
   5. Stewardship Coordinator
2. Boundaries and Land Acquisition
   1. Goals and Objectives
   2. Acquisition Areas
   3. Fee-simple versus Conservation Easements
   4. St. Jones Component
   5. Blackbird Creek Component
   6. Watershed Protection
3. Boundary Amendment
   1. Lowe Tract
   2. Manwaring Tract
4. Action Plan for Stewardship

Appendices

Appendix A. Projected Five-Year Implementation Plan for the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

Appendix B. Establishment of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System by the Coastal Zone Management Act

Appendix C. National Estuarine Research Reserve System Regulations

Appendix D. Biogeographic Classification and Typology of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

Appendix E. Memoranda of Understanding

• Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Delaware and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Delaware Native Plant Society and the Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Delaware Coastal Programs

Appendix F. Certification of Consistency with the Delaware Coastal Management Program

Appendix G. Past and Present Advisory Committee Members

Appendix H. State and County Legal Authorities Affecting Resource Protection in the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

Appendix I. Environmental Research and Monitoring Projects of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1999–2003

Appendix J. Outline of Environmental Issues Affecting the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

Appendix K. Description of Public Process for Management Plan Revision