(1) Public Open Houses & Other Forums
Want to share your thoughts in person? Join in on a Public Open House or Forum, held regularly.
Details are available on the official Sussex Comp Plan website.
Sussex County Comprehensive Plan
Sussex County Comprehensive Plan
What is the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan?
The Sussex County Comprehensive Plan is the roadmap that guides decision making in Sussex County. It is a blueprint for policy and decision-making on issues including transportation, utilities, land use, recreation, natural resource protection, housing, historic preservation, and economic development.
Thoughtful planning on these issues is critical to protect good quality of life in the Inland Bays watershed.
Your Input Matters!
During the first phase of this process, the County will provide opportunities for the public to be involved via (1) public meetings, (2) the Sussex Plan website, and (3) social media.
When you share an idea, it’s officially recorded, and all the ideas become part of the planning and discussion as the Plan is worked on. Please note that all comments are part of the public record and subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
(1) Public Open Houses & Other Forums
(2) The Project Website
Have questions or comments? Can’t make Public Open Houses? Use the online “Contact Us” form found on the
Sussex Plan webpage to participate!
(3) Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the Sussex Plan on social media, submit comments, or ask questions at the links below.
CIB On the Issues
The CIB with input from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee has identified issues of priority concern that should be part of the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan to protect the Inland Bays, their rivers and creeks and the land around them.
If you share these concerns, please include these issues when you provide your input to the county. We will continue to update this information with additional links in coming months.
Increase and Enhance Water Quality Buffers
CCMP ACTION: Revise the existing Sussex County Ordinance on water quality buffers to be in line with the CIB’s Recommendations for a Water Quality Buffer System.
Further Reading:
- CIB Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan:
Managing Living Resources and Their Habitat (Objective 2 – Action F) - Recommendations for an Inland Bays Watershed Water Quality Buffer System (PDF & Presentation)
Improve Wastewater Management & Coordination
RECOMMENDATION: Increase the pace of conversion of septic systems to central sewer.
CCMP ACTION: Develop a wastewater planning committee comprised of DNREC, Sussex County, utility industry representatives, and other stakeholders to coordinate the treatment and disposal of wastewater from new and existing developments based on the TMDLs of receiving waters.
Further Reading:
- CIB Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan:
Wastewater Management (Objective 1 – Action A) - Sussex County Sewer / Septic Proposed Projects (website)
Improve Stormwater Management
CCMP ACTION: Encourage Sussex County and/or municipalities to create a stormwater utility to fund stormwater facility maintenance and stormwater retrofits.
CCMP ACTION: Develop maximum impervious surface coverage targets to protect aquatic life and urge their inclusion into county and municipal comprehensive plans.
Further Reading:
- CIB Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan:
Storm Water Management (Objective 1 – Actions E & G)
Preserve Open Space and Improve Water Access
INLAND BAYS WATER USE PLAN ACTION: Acquire available waterfront property to ensure public access to the bays is maintained and enhanced.
Further Reading:
- CIB Inland Bays Water Use Action Plan:
Administrative Actions (#6) - Recommendations for the Recreation and Open Space Element of the County Comprehensive Plan
Plan for Climate Change
CCMP ACTION: Work with the County and municipalities to incorporate sea level rise into comprehensive plans.
CCMP ACTION: Implement the recommendations of the State Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee relative to the Inland Bays.
Further Reading:
- CIB Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan:
Planning for Climate Change (Objective 1 – Actions A & C) - About Sea Level Rise
Conservation
As an estuary of national significance designated by the federal Clean Water Act and as state waters of exceptional recreational and ecological significance designated by the state water quality standards, the Inland Bays and their watershed should be afforded the highest level of protection and conservation of natural resources within the County’s Comprehensive Plan.