Breen: Irony abounds in southern Delaware

In the 1960s, strip mining that destroyed millions of acres of the environment was denounced.

In the 1970s, slash-and-burn techniques to clear land for agriculture were denounced.

In the 1980s, mass destruction of 8,000 square miles of rainforests per year was denounced.

In the 1990s, clearing forests and filling wetlands to create ranchland were denounced.

In the 2000s, paper companies usurping trees for pulp without restoration was denounced.

In the 2010s, power plants burning biomass (mostly trees) to generate electricity was denounced.

In the 2020s, cutting hundreds of acres of mature forests in Sussex County each year is standard operating procedure.

In the 2020s, 97% of waterways in Sussex County are deemed polluted (Environmental Integrity Project).

In the 2020s, 100% of Sussex County estuary shores are reported as impaired by the Sierra Club.

In the 2020s, Delaware has the highest percentage of polluted rivers and streams (Environmental Protection Agency).

In the 2020s, Delaware is rated 47th and 48th in terms of quality of life.

In 2024, elected Sussex County Council officials denounce protecting the environment and quality of life.

Sussex has a long history of the obvious not being so obvious. Pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, poultry plants and now land use supersede the protection of our environment and quality of life.

Dave Breen

Angola

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