Posted on September 10, 2025
Summer is winding down at the Delaware beaches, where past replenishment projects at Indian River Inlet are helping to make sure there’s a beach to visit.
The Department of Natural Resources recently hosted Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Sarah McBride for a tour of how beach restoration projects in Sussex County are helping to keep erosion at bay. The projects were made possible with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and congressionally-directed spending.
The Army Corps of Engineers is also a partner in safeguarding long-term resilience of the coastline.
“Delaware’s incredible beaches are treasures of our state,” Coons said. “We must protect this resource not just for the families that come here to make memories, but for the surrounding communities that are protected by our coastal areas from storms, flooding, and other disasters that are getting worse due to climate change. I’m proud to have secured $80 million in federal investment to restore and improve our beaches and will continue to work for more investment so these prized destinations are always here to be enjoyed.”
Coons co-chairs the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus.
“Delaware’s beaches aren’t just part of our landscape — they’re part of our economy, our identity, and our way of life,” McBride said. “These federal investments help protect coastal communities from rising seas and severe storms, while supporting small businesses, preserving our environment, and keeping our tourism economy strong. I’m grateful for Senator Coons’ leadership, and to have the opportunity to work alongside DNREC and our local leaders to deliver for Sussex County and safeguard our coastline for future generations.”
“This team of DNREC, the Corps of Engineers and the congressional delegation has worked well together over the last year to do beach nourishment on an expedited basis and to upgrade the sand bypass system and get it back up and running,” Natural Resources Secretary Greg Patterson said. “We know the challenges of this area aren’t going away. With storms becoming more frequent and more severe, we must continue working together — across multiple levels of government and multiple agencies — to strengthen our coast, keep the inlet navigable and safeguard the communities and infrastructure that depend on it.”
