Apologies for the long overdue update folks, but despite the silence I am happy to say that we have been making progress!  My last update was in March when we reached 1,000 signatures.  At that point I reached out to all decision makers but received NO RESPONSE.  Despite the neglect of our elected officials, our campaign soldiered on, more supporters became involved in our movement, and much more information has been uncovered about the sale and development of Fort DuPont State Park. 

In addition to the park protection language that was removed from the original HB310 one month before it was signed into law, we have discovered that there was much more language intended to protect the interests of the public, safeguard against wrongdoing by the FDRPC, and that required the FDRPC to follow all Federal, State, and City laws as they exercised their duties to redevelop the Fort DuPont complex.  ALL OF THIS LANGUAGE WAS REMOVED and the substitute bill/final law unconstitutionally empowered the FDRPC "without limitation and notwithstanding other laws" - it is this one bit of very dangerous legislation that has allowed the FDRPC to break all manner of laws, usurp the will of The People, and disregard federal and state recommendations relating to fragile, PRESERVED lands.  We have also discovered that the entire Fort DuPont State Park was protected:  Grassdale, which the FDRPC intends to sell to a developer to build a 422-space RV Resort, was purchased in 1994 by Land Conservation Funds and was part of the open-space program in Delaware.  As such, this area was to remain open, natural, green, publicly accessible space forever.  The rest of the state park has Federal (6F) protection.  The FDRPC is trying to exchange 18 acres of riverfront park land with the 17 acre parade ground (land that was always designated to remain open) so they can build their massive Marina Village.  The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said that the area of Fort DuPont will experience 100 "sunny-day flooding events" per year by 2050.  It also recommends preserving wetlands and natural shorelines to mitigate flooding.  (Grassdale's wetlands will be compromised if the area is allowed to be developed, and the Marina Village and other plans to develop parkland near the river will destroy the natural shoreline).  

The residents of Delaware City where the park is located, have asked the mayor & council to advocate for all of our supporters in Delaware and beyond by working with legislators and other officials to return the parkland to the public trust.  As more controversial information has been uncovered, it has been suggested that the city file a request for investigation through the Federal District Attorney's office.  Mayor & Council has agreed to host a special meeting on September 1 at 6:30, at the Delaware City Firehouse to discuss issues relating to the Fort DuPont development with legislators, FDRPC representatives, DNREC, DELDOT, and other experts.  We hope that action will be taken after this public meeting!  I'll be sure to let you know the outcome.

Meanwhile, please read the attached article that was posted in the News Journal at the end of July.  It contains some interesting facts.  As always, thank you for your support!