Here is the eighth diary in my Expanding the National Parks series. Last week I visited Connecticut, this week, I'm traveling to the first state of the union, Delaware. Delaware is the second smallest state covering just under 2500 miles in area. 2 percent of Delaware is protected federally, which is tied with Indiana for 37th among the states in terms of federal ownership of land. in terms of percentage more land is protected in Delaware than in Texas a state 130 times bigger.
Here is the eighth diary in my Expanding the National Parks series. Last week I visited Connecticut, this week, I'm traveling to the first state of the union, Delaware. Delaware is the second smallest state, covering just under 2500 miles in area. 2 percent of Delaware is protected federally, which is tied with Indiana for 37th among the states in terms of federal ownership of land. in terms of percentage more land is protected in Delaware than in Texas, a state 130 times bigger.Delaware has one monument and two wildlife refuges, I will propose adding two monuments to that tally.
Delaware
Total Area 2 490 sq miles
Land Area 1 954 sq miles
Water 536 sq miles
Coastline 28 sq miles
Additional Monuments-2
NATIONAL MONUMENTS-1
* First State Established 2013 Covers 1000 acres
The first monument proclaimed in the state, First State was set aside by President Obama to mark the history of Delaware, including its signing of the Constitution in 1787, becoming the first state to do so. the areas in the monument were proposed to be included in a historical park in legislation that was proposed in Congress in 2009 but did not pass.
WILDLIFE REFUGES -2
* Bombay Hook Established 1937 Covers 15978 acres
The older and larger of the states two refuges, Bombay Hook was set aside to provide habitat from migratory birds. the CCC did work in the refuge from 1938 to 1942, creating 3 ponds, and planting over 50000 trees in the area. Bombay Hook will be Delaware's contribution to the National Parks quarter collection, it will be released in 2015, the fourth quarter of that year to come out.
* Prime Hook Established 1963 Covers 10000 acres
Part of the Atlantic Flyway system, this refuge is home to 100000 geese and 80000 ducks over the winter, as well as vultures kestrels, and hawks. the refuge is located in Sussex county, the southernmost of Delaware's three counties.
ADDITIONAL MONUMENTS-2
* Delaware Coastal
Protects waters out to the New Jersey boundary until it reaches the Atlantic, protects Atlantic waters out to 20 miles from shore, protects open land up to 5 miles
inland. Estimated area 30000 acres
*Delaware Historical
Would protect the other areas proposed in the historical park(New Castle and Lewes Historic Districts, old Swedes Church- oldest church still used in the US,John Dickinson Plantation, Lombardy hall and Stonum, home of declaration of Independence Signer George Read) as a monument
Estimated area 1500 acres
there's my rundown on Delaware, another small state and thus, a relatively short diary. Next week I will visit Florida, which is considerably bigger and is also the birthplace of the Wildlife Refuge System. As always, Comments, concerns and input are welcome.