Contact: Dennis Brown, Planning and Compliance Assistance, phone: (302) 739-9909
or Melinda Carl, Public Affairs Office, phone: (302) 739-9902

Vane Line Bunkering Denied Oil Lightering in Delaware Bay under Coastal Zone Act

Dover – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary John A. Hughes has determined that a new oil lightering operation in the Delaware Bay proposed by Vane Line Bunkering Inc. of Baltimore, Md. is a prohibited bulk product transfer facility expressly prohibited by the Coastal Zone Act.

The decision is in response to the Aug. 4, 2006 request of Vane Line Bunkering for a status decision to ascertain if a new oil lightering operation at Big Stone anchorage in the Delaware Bay is allowable under the Coastal Zone Act.

Lightering operations entail the offloading of oil from large, ocean-going tankers to barges. When filled with product, the barges are moved up-river to regional oil refineries. No on-shore facilities were included in the company’s application.

A 14-day appeal period follows the September 17, 2006 date of publication of the legal notice of this decision. Appeals must be filed to the State Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board. Appeal forms may be acquired by calling Gail Donovan at (302) 739-9909. The appeal fee is $100.
 

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