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ANNUAL PASSES AND SURF PERMIT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Please note: The purchase of an annual pass, lifetime pass or surf fishing permit does not guarantee access to Delaware State Parks property, programs or functions when the number of visitors is restricted due to a high volume of visitors at peak times, or other instances of restrictions to include, but not limited to: government restriction, state of emergency, strike, flood, fire, or unforeseen catastrophe. Purchases of passes and/or permits are non-refundable.

ANNUAL PASSES AVAILABLE ONLINE

Annual Park Passes are valid for all Delaware State Parks charging the entrance fee for the season. The following passes are available online. $35 – Delaware Vehicle Pass for Delaware registered motor vehicles $70 – Out-of-State Vehicle Pass for out-of-state registered motor vehicles

$18 – Senior Citizen Delaware Vehicle Pass for Delaware registered motor vehicles to persons who are 62 years of age or older. Senior Citizen must be in vehicle for entrance to be valid. $35– Senior Citizen Out-of-State Vehicle Pass for out-of-state motor vehicles registered to persons who are 62 years of age or older. Senior Citizen must be in vehicle for entrance to be valid.

Military and Lifetime passes may be purchased with proper identification at a park office or the DNREC Licensing Desk.

ANNUAL PASSES RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. No Annual Pass shall be issued to any motor vehicle designed to carry more than fifteen (15) persons regardless of registration.

2. The decal's adhesive shall be used to attach the pass to the vehicle's windshield or side window. 3. Passes which are not permanently affixed as designated will be confiscated.

4. Passes must be permanently affixed to the outside lower corner on the driver's side of the windshield in order to be valid. The Department of Motor Vehicles will only allow one state park pass on the front of the windshield. Pass holders may fail inspection if expired passes are not removed.

5. Alternative location for passes – when the front windshield is not available (such as out-of-state inspection stickers already placed in this area) the pass can be placed on the outside, upper front corner of the passenger window behind the driver.

6. In the event a vehicle is sold, traded, or involved in an accident, a replacement pass may be obtained for a $5 charge at a park office or at the DNREC Licensing Desk located in Dover. Verification of purchase is required to replace a pass. This can include: • Removal of the pass from the windshield and returning all or pieces of the pass. • Proof of purchase and paperwork showing the need (accident report, transfer of vehicle ownership or new vehicle

purchase).

Open 24Hours/DayAll Year

Closed toBeachVehicles

Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation

GuardedSwimmingBeach

Beach VehicleCrossingOpen 24Hours/Day

Legend

Surfing Beach

YorkBeach

Crossing

MiddleBeach

Crossing

SouthBeach

Crossing

AssawomanRecreation

Area

LittleAssawoman

Bay

AtlanticOcean

Boat Rental

Potential closure whennesting birds are present


Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation


Beach VehicleCrossingOpen 8:00amto Sunset


Surfing Beach

Tower BayEntrance

New RoadEntrance

Key BoxRoad

Entrance

ConquestRoad

Crossing

FaithfulStewardCrossing

SavagesDitch

3 R'sCrossing

RehobothBay

Atl

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Indian River Inlet

Burton IslandNature

Preserve

Mar 1 - Dec 31


Legend


Beach PlumIsland

Crossing

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RooseveltInlet

Bro

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BroadkillBeach

BayshoreDrive


Open 24Hours/DayMar 1 - Dec 31Closed to VehiclesJan 1 - Feb 28

Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation

Beach VehicleCrossing

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The beach along BeachPlum Island is very narrow.

High tides tend to rise to thetoe of the dune.

Beach Plum Island Preserveis one of the last stretches ofundeveloped barrier island in

Delaware. Hunting and disturbance of wildlife orvegetation is prohibited.

Pedestrians are prohibited inthe southern portion of theisland also closed to beach

vehicles.


DELAWARE STATE PARKS SURF FISHING PROGRAM

BEACH ACCESS RULES AND

REGULATIONS

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

CAPE HENLOPENSTATE PARK

BEACH PLUM ISLANDNATURE PRESERVE

DELAWARE SEASHORESTATE PARK

15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958(302) 645-8983

Administered by Cape Henlopen State Park 39415 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971(302) 227-2800

Administered by Delaware Seashore State Park

FENWICK ISLANDSTATE PARK

LEGEND

LEGENDLEGEND

NavyCrossing

Cape HenlopenState Park

PointCrossing

GordonsPond

Crossing

Bathhouse

DelawareBay

FishingPier

Herring Point

Crossing


Open Sunsetto 8:00amMay 1 - Sep 30Open 24Hours/DayOct 1 - Apr 30

Closed - BirdNesting AreaMar 1 - LaborDay WeekendOpen 24Hours/DaySep 1 - Feb 28


Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation


Beach VehicleCrossingOpen8:00am toSunset

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LEGEND

• Surf fishing vehicle permits are issued for the calendar year. They allow vehicles to access designated beaches at Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island State Parks and Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve for the sole purpose of surf fishing.

• A surf fishing permit is valid only for two-axle vehicles that are licensed and registered to operate on public highways.

• The surf fishing vehicle plate and current

sticker must be properly displayed on the vehicle for which the permit was issued and shall be affixed prior to operation on the beach.

• Operating a vehicle without a current surf fishing vehicle permit and plate on state park beach areas or dune crossings is prohibited.

• Driving on swimming and surfboarding beaches during summer season day-use hours is not permitted. The permit does not give the right to access other state or private beaches not owned or administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation.

• The owner’s copy of the permit receipt shall be available for inspection at all times when the vehicle is being operated on beach areas.

• Loaning a surf fishing vehicle permit or plate, or using or attempting to use a surf fishing vehicle permit or plate on any vehicle other than the one it was assigned to is prohibited. In addition to other actions that may be taken, the permit and plate will be confiscated and held as evidence.

• Vehicle use on the designated beaches is restricted to persons actively engaged in surf fishing. Operation of a permitted surf fishing vehicle on the beaches administered by the Division for reasons other than traveling to and from fishing areas for the express purpose of surf fishing is prohibited.

• “Actively engaged in surf fishing” means a person is taking all reasonable and necessary actions to maximize the probability of hooking and landing game fish by rod, reel and line attached to a baited rig, artificial lure or artificial fly. Persons are also actively engaged in surf fishing when they are within 50 feet of their fishing equipment and are tending, casting and recasting their fishing equipment.

• Any permitted surf fishing vehicle parked for any period of time on state park beaches without one or more persons who arrived in that vehicle being actively engaged in surf fishing is prohibited.

• The use or operation of any vehicle whatsoever on, over, or across state park sand dunes is expressly prohibited, except when displaying a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit and crossing dunes at authorized dune crossings, which are designated and maintained for that purpose.

• No vehicle shall be driven through, over or upon any beach area that has been posted as an endangered and/or protected species bird nesting area

• The use of mechanically-propelled bait or line casters is prohibited on all surf fishing beaches.

• The surf fishing vehicle permit serves as the vehicle operator’s fishing license when fishing in designated Delaware State Park surf fishing areas. Other anglers must have valid fishing licenses issued by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. In addition, a Fishermen’s Information Network (FIN) number is required to fish in Delaware waters. FINs are available at delaware-fin.com/registerfin.asp or by calling 1-800-432-9228.

• Dogs are allowed in all surf fishing vehicle areas, but must be under control and on a leash not to exceed six feet in length.

• In addition to giving access to designated beach areas, the surf fishing permit also allows free entry to day areas in most Delaware State Parks.

• The Carry-In, Carry-Out program is in effect in all surf fishing areas. Trash receptacles are not provided, remove all of your trash and dispose of fishing line properly.

• Surf fishing areas are subject to closure at any time in the event of weather conditions (high tides, coastal storms, etc.). Surf fishing vehicle areas may be limited or closed when such action is deemed necessary for property management, protection of flora, fauna and their habitats, or when it is in the best interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of visitors.

• In order to protect fragile plants and grasses that stabilize the dunes, and to leave nesting or fledging shorebirds undisturbed, people, pets and vehicles are not allowed on the dunes or in bird nesting areas. Only designated crossings may be used to cross the dunes. Violations are subject to fines.

• Designated surf fishing beaches are open for other recreational activities. Caution must be exercised when sharing the beach.

• The beach ecosystem is very important and must be protected. Any damage done to the dunes should be reported to the nearest park employee.

About Your Surf Fishing Permit

Driving on State Park Beaches

Surf Fishing Safety

Other Important Information

Beach Access Dune CrossingsDunes are a fragile resource that provide important habitat for a host of plants and animals and protect the coastline during severe storms. While dunes and the plants and animals found there usually survive storms, they are easily damaged by the harmful impact of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The dunes are protected by law, and access across is strictly limited to designated crossings. Use of the beach is strictly limited to the seaward toe of the dune down to the high tide line.

Bird Nesting AreasWhen nesting is identified along beaches, areas may be closed to all traffic, including vehicles, pedestrians and pets.

Official state park regulations are located at regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title7/9000. Permit regulations are strictly enforced.

• Surf fishing vehicles must be equipped with a shovel, jack, tow rope or chain, board or similar support for the jack, and a low pressure tire gauge when being operated on state park beaches.

• Operating any vehicle on any authorized dune crossing or on any beach area at any speed that is greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions is prohibited. Vehicles must be operated with regard to existing and potential hazards, but never exceeding 15 m.p.h. In every event, speed shall be controlled and limited to that speed necessary to maintain traction and steerage.

• The Division of Parks and Recreation shall have the right to suspend surf fishing vehicle permits for up to 90 days or to revoke permits for up to three years for conviction of reckless operation of a surf fishing vehicle, for operation of a surf fishing vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs, or for violations of these regulations.

Violations and Fines• Violation of the rules and regulations may

result in a fine of $50 to $250 for a first offense and $100 to $500 for a second offense. Violators will be cited and permits may be revoked if state park regulations are not followed.

Division of Parks and Recreation89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901

The Department aof Natural Resources and Environmental Control is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the

diversity of its workforce

Typical Dune Cross-Section

Beach Vehicle Area — from seaward toe of the dune to the water line

DuneBeachVehicle

AreaAtlantic Ocean/Delaware Bay

Seaward Toe of the Dune

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