REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — The fiery reflection of a sunset on the bay. The misty sea breeze that rushes past while boating through the inlet. The regal flight of a heron across the verdant marsh.
For many, experiencing Delaware’s inland bays can be priceless.
But that doesn’t mean these natural wonders are without real economic value either. From tourism-based industries like recreation and accommodations to construction and real estate, the bays contribute billions of dollars to the state − and that is not an exaggeration.
According to a recent report from the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and Delaware Sea Grant College Program, the inland bays – which include the Indian River, Rehoboth and Little Assawoman bays – contribute more than $4.5 billion to Delaware’s economy.
It’s one of the statistics that the report’s co-author Chris Bason of the Center for the Inland Bays said helps their steadfast argument: Delaware’s inland bays are worth the financial investment.
“It just proves that it is a really good investment to protect and restore the water quality of the inland bays, and what we need to be doing most right now, which ties in with this report, is protecting open space,” Bason said. “We need to be protecting forests and wetlands before they are developed.”
That’s…