Delaware Private Lands Assistance Program

Do you have undeveloped wetlands on your property, such as tidal or nontidal freshwater or brackish marshes, ponds or impoundments? Are they being taken over by phragmites? The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have a program for you! The Phragmites Control Cost-Share Program provides technical and financial assistance to Delaware landowners who are interested in marsh restoration programs.

What is the Delaware Phragmites Control Cost-Share Program?

The Delaware Phragmites Control Cost-share Program is offered by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife to improve wildlife habitat in wetlands that have been degraded by the invasive phragmites.The Division’s research has shown that effective Phragmites control is possible in many areas with consecutive late summer (August through mid-October) applications of Glyphosate-based aquatic herbicides.

The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently decided to create a partnership to utilize federal Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) money. This partnership will enable the financial assistance to be increased so that state and federal money will cover 87.5 percent of the cost, with the landowner contributing the remaining 12.5 percent (about $5 per acre treated).

The Division will be responsible for purchasing the herbicide, determining the herbicide application timing and rates, coordinating the aerial spraying and providing technical assistance.

Phragmites Control Cost-Share Program Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Qualify?

• Must have a minimum of 5 acres of phragmites and a maximum of 200 acres to be spray treated with herbicide
• Must agree to have the property treated for three years
• Drainage ditches are not eligible
• Assistance is on a first come first serve basis with a mid-summer application deadline
  

How Do I Apply?

State Application

The federal portion of the application can be obtained at the appropriate County USDA Service Center based on property location:

For questions about or interest in the Phragmites Control Cost-Share Program, please contact:

Bill Jones: (302) 284-4795 or william.jones@state.de.us