By Brian Gilliland

DOVER — Since 2019, government agencies have been attempting to install a trail at Wolfe Neck to increase recreational opportunities in the area, but have been delayed as a review process continues of archaeological finds in the area, though officials remain tight-lipped as to what those finds actually are.

Since 1978, the “Wolfe Neck Site” has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control confirms the site contains “Native American and post-contact historic period” archaeological sites.

It also contains a Sussex County spray irrigation system and remains closed to the public. The county leases the land from DNREC, which has accepted Federal Highway Administration funding toward the trail project.

The trail is planned to be a single-track about six miles long and 3.5 feet wide, built of stone aggregate and dust. Up to 11 boardwalks five feet wide are also planned, as well as a wildlife viewing area.

The Delaware Antiquities Act sets the preferred stewardship of any such archaeological sites as to protect in place, and Delaware code mandates the involvement of the state division of cultural affairs when human remains are found on a site.

At the end of June, the Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs office confirmed its involvement at the Wolfe Neck Site along with other agencies, but deferred to DNREC in terms of what was found.

Also deferring to DNREC were the Delaware State Police and Governor’s Office.

At its July 31 public workshop, the agency alluded to the find, and the project’s future.

Noting “no unmarked human burials or skeletal remains have been discovered at Wolfe Neck” since at least 2019, the agency said the “Delaware Department of State Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs and DNREC will not provide such data on archaeological resources” but will provide updates on the status of the trail project.

DNREC said both state and federal law allow restriction “of specific data concerning the nature and location of archaeological sites.”

However, it also said because of the federal funding involved, a federal review process was underway.

“At this time, the Federal Highway Administration, (the state historic preservation office) and DNREC are working through the Section 106 process with consulting parties to determine how the project would affect archaeological sites, and if changes are needed to avoid adverse effects,” it said in a release.

Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to identify and assess the effects its actions have on historic buildings, according to the federal government’s General Services Agency website.

DNREC confirmed its Division of Parks and Recreation was working through the Section 106 process with federal, state and local partners.