I oppose the proposed development of Stillwater Harbor, off River Road, Millsboro. The out-of-state developer is Compass Point Cove LLC from Maryland. Much of the 53.95 acres are environmentally sensitive wetlands, and it includes one of the last remaining parcels of large contiguous forests in the frequently flooded Oak Orchard area. The only proposed entrance to this development of 123 single-family homes is on River Road, which experiences frequent flooding on both sides of the proposed entrance. Such flooding can last from six hours to several days, depending on drainage conditions. These floods have the potential for causing significant emergency response issues/hazards.
Not only would the necessary widening of River Road and increased traffic flow on it negatively impact River Road residents, but a development of this magnitude would have a negative impact on the historical and culturally significant communities of Riverdale, Oak Orchard and surrounding areas. This includes the potential for disturbing the prehistoric and early archaeological sites of our Native Americans, including those of the Nanticoke Indians still residing there.
The Indian River and Bay are important natural resources in our state, and the potential for this development to negatively impact the Indian River watershed is significant. The project calls for the removal of 43.33 acres of forest, which not only threatens the abundance of wildlife living there, including eagles, osprey and migratory birds, but such removal could also lead to increased flooding and drainage issues, as well as increased nutrient input to the Indian River and Bay.
Sussex County is experiencing a building boom, and the county will need to keep up with providing the necessary infrastructure to accommodate it, while providing for the quality of life that Delawareans deserve.
The public hearing on this project that was scheduled for today has been postponed.
Rebecca Scarborough
Millsboro
Editor’s note: According to the Sussex County website, “Planning & Zoning Commission agenda was revised on March 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m to remove Subdivision Reference 2021-23 Stillwater Harbor from the list of public hearings. The applicant has requested that the public hearing for this application be postponed.”
