1969 SAVE THE DUNES

HISTORY OF CAPE HENLOPEN AND BEYOND

1969

SAVE THE DUNES

Delaware State Representative, George R. Quillen, Republican of Harrington,

Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has said the committee is waiting

for an 'opinion' from the Delaware Attorney General on how to prevent the public from

removing sand off the Cape Henlopen dunes. The matter had been brought to his attention by

John Stenger, Lewes High School science teacher who has spent the past two years in an

effort to protect the 'living dunes”, as they are called by many Cape Henlopen area natives.

The call is to have legislation passed that brings the dunes under jurisdiction of a

State Agency of Recreation or Conservation like the State Park Commission or the State

Forestry Commission.

The National Geographic Magazine has called the “dunes” of Cape Henlopen the

great wonder of the Atlantic Coast, and meet visitors as they arrive on the Cape May -Lewes Ferry. Lewes town officials have allowed contractors to haul sand off the dunes and use for construction. Also interested is Delaware State Representative Robert M. Dodge, of

Rehoboth, Republican, and is to discuss the matter with Lewes Mayor Al Stango as

whatever is done should be done with approval from Lewes.

Stenger has said he will never cease the fight to save the dunes from ravage has

taken his fight plans to The U. S, Secretary of Interior, Stewart Udall, Governor Charles

Terry and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson.

The National Geographic Magazine article described the Cape Henlopen dunes

as a haven for highly specialized forms of life, are themselves alive and moving, born of

the eroding coast, driven by winds and creep inland five to fifteen feet each year.

Abstract: Ted Miller, Sussex Bureau, Wilmington Morning News, Friday, May 9, 1969.