Nontidal Wetlands Bill Unanimously Passes Senate

June 14, 2026

Cape Gazette

Wetlands provide flood and storm protection, as well as valuable wildlife habitat, in the Cape Region. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO

The Senate unanimously passed a bill known as the Wetlands Stewardship Act June 10, aiming to protect nontidal wetlands.

The bill had received similar bipartisan support when it advanced through committee in May, seeking to protect nontidal and tidal wetlands that are not fully covered by federal regulations.

If passed, the legislation would allow the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to hire 12 full-time employees to manage a protection program, with $765,419 coming from the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

The Freshwater Wetlands Working Group, including farmers and members of the agricultural community, convened in 2024 and was tasked with crafting the bill and creating a plan to maintain and protect about 75,000 acres of unprotected nontidal wetlands in Delaware.

“These new protections mean a new regulatory program in DNREC, and we have focused on making the permitting process simple and streamlined,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson in a statement.

The bill awaits action in the House.