Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)

About us

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is an executive state agency with the responsibility to protect both the environment of Delaware and the health of our residents. When certain types of commercial or industrial facilities want to open or change their operations in Delaware, they must obtain a permit (or permits) from DNREC for potentially polluting activities.
Facilities submit permit applications to DNREC and they are reviewed by subject-matter experts to determine whether the proposal may be permitted under state or federal laws and regulations. The laws and regulations are meant to ensure that both public health and the environment are protected.
DNREC does not advocate for or against any permit. The DNREC Secretary makes the final decision as to whether a permit will be granted. The Secretary relies on information submitted with the permit application, reviews of the application performed by DNREC’s subject-matter experts, and comments received from the public during the permit process.
It is important for DNREC to hear opinions from neighbors of a proposed activity, and other members of the public. These opinions can be in support of the project or opposed to the project.