09/01/2026
📣 YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED — DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 9!
The Delaware Equine Council is helping spread the word about an important public comment opportunity concerning White Clay Creek State Park.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public comments on a permit application to rebuild “Big Pond” on Middle Run, a tributary within the White Clay Creek watershed.
The Friends of White Clay Creek State Park oppose rebuilding Big Pond and have raised several concerns, including:
🌿 The project was not included in the White Clay Creek State Park master plan.
💧 Rebuilding the pond would dam Middle Run and create approximately 4.8 acres of permanent open water, potentially affecting stream flow, aquatic habitat, water temperature, sedimentation and water quality.
🌾 The project would replace a meadow that developed naturally after the former pond dam failed decades ago.
💰 Significant funding would be required to construct and maintain the pond when other needs and priorities exist within the park.
The Citizens Advisory Council for White Clay Creek State Park, which includes the Delaware Equine Council, previously supported a master plan that did not include Big Pond and requested that funding for the project be redirected to other priorities within the park.
🔎 READ THE PUBLIC NOTICE:
https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Portals/39/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/2026/NAP-2025-00429-85_Public_Notice.pdf
📝 SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS HERE:
https://rrs.usace.army.mil/
You do not need to log in to comment. Select Public Notices, choose Delaware, locate the Big Pond project and click the comment icon.
⏰ COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 9, 2026.
We encourage our members, equestrians, trail users, park visitors and everyone who cares about White Clay Creek State Park to review the proposal and make their voices heard.
🐴 Please share! The public comment period is short, and spreading the word can help more Delawareans participate.
— Delaware Equine Council