Delaware strengthens wetland protections with signing of Senate Bill 9
Wilmington, Del. – July 22, 2026 – Ducks Unlimited (DU) applauds the signing of Delaware Senate Bill 9 (SB9), legislation that strengthens protections for the state's wetlands while positioning Delaware as a national leader in voluntary wetland restoration.
Wetlands provide critical habitat for waterfowl and countless other wildlife species while improving water quality, reducing flooding, and supporting outdoor recreation. SB9 modernizes Delaware's wetland protections and helps ensure these valuable natural resources remain healthy for future generations.
"Ducks Unlimited appreciates the leadership shown by Delaware lawmakers in advancing this important legislation," said Nikki Ghorpade, DU's Director of Public Policy, Great Lakes/Atlantic Region. "Protecting wetlands benefits wildlife, water quality, and communities throughout the state."
DU worked alongside partners throughout the development of SB9, providing technical expertise and support during the legislative process. Drawing on its experience with similar legislation in Michigan, DU helped shape language recognizing the ecological benefits of voluntarily restoring altered and degraded wetlands. Delaware built on that foundation through SB9, positioning the state as a national leader in both wetland protection and voluntary wetland restoration by emphasizing net gains in wetland functions and services.
The legislation reflects years of collaboration among conservation organizations, policymakers, landowners, Ducks Unlimited, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening Delaware's wetland protections.
“The Wetlands Stewardship Act is a landmark piece of legislation that will safeguard and preserve Delaware’s vital tidal and nontidal wetlands for generations to come,” said Sen. Stephanie Hansen, prime sponsor of SB 9. “By strengthening state-level protections, this law will close critical gaps in federal oversight of our 300,000 acres of tidal and nontidal wetlands.”
“Our wetlands are crucial for reducing flooding, improving water quality, and increasing resilience to climate change,” Hansen continued. “This legislation has been a long time coming, and seeing this bill become law is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of our wide range of stakeholder partners, like Ducks Unlimited. I want to thank the Governor for signing this bill into law, and to the countless stakeholders who made this effort possible.”
Ducks Unlimited looks forward to continuing its partnership with state leaders and conservation organizations to advance wetland conservation throughout Delaware.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 20 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
Media Contact:
Jay Hathaway
Communications Coordinator, Great Lakes Atlantic Region
(734) 251-9150
