Atlantic Sturgeon Unique Habitat Saved

The morning of February 20, 2018, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network learned of a new, major threat to Atlantic Sturgeon posed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The comment period on the proposal would close at the end of the day on the 20th. In short, the Corps wanted to dump sand and rock into a deep hole in the Delaware Bay that has been identified by scientists as critical for sturgeon foraging, growth and supporting good health that can support species reproduction.  The Delaware River population (a genetically unique line) as well as all five distinct population segments of sturgeon nationwide are known to need this site for habitat and foraging.  All 5 distinct population segments nationwide, as well as our Delaware River population, are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Army Corps needed permitting from the state of Delaware. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network headed up the opposition to approval of this project. In response to the action alert DRN sent out to our members we secured 75 comments urging the state of Delaware to reject the project, or at the very least to extend the public comment period and to hold public hearings. In response to the strong show of opposition and the facts and information we helped bring to light, the Army Corps withdrew their permit application, stopping the project in its tracks!  Thank you to all of you who responded to our call for help on behalf of the Atlantic Sturgeon.